General Feedback
Students should:
- translate the quotes in the question correctly
- respond directly to the question
- refer specifically to the set extract and the lines indicated in the question when constructing a response, rather than referring generally to themes and events in the text without reference to the set extract
- avoid reliance on large pieces of text copied directly from the dictionary.
Student Strengths
Section I – Response to Prescribed Text – Part A
In better responses, students were able to:
- specifically refer to the set extract and the lines indicated in the question when responding
- answer the question directly, and all responses and opinions are justified and well organised
- apply higher order thinking when asked to analyse, taking their thinking ‘one step further’ and justifying their response to demonstrate a perceptive understanding of the text.
Section I – Response to Prescribed Text – Part B
In better responses, students were able to:
- provide an insightful understanding of the situation and characters using specific examples from the extract provide, for example, ittaitte
shinda hito no koto; tabi no otetsudai; goshoku
- reference Daigo’s interview with Sasaki-san, and include both Uemura and Sasaki’s impression of Daigo’s growth
- write with flair and originality when creatively interweaving quotes naturally into their responses, for example, the mention of 1 year anniversary party; cactus blooming equated to Daigo’s growth in the job
- demonstrate great control of language throughout their writing by the use of a great variety of vocabulary, grammar, prescribed kanji and authentic and sophisticated expressions
- write kanji and vocabulary with accuracy
- apply register and tense appropriately and consistently to meet the requirements of the task (using shacho vs Sasaki-kun).
Section II – Writing in Japanese
In better responses, students were able to:
- present a clear introduction, individual points of view and a concluding statement, fully addressing the question and the type of text
- provide breadth and depth in their argument
- continuously link back to the questions
- acknowledge key words
- support their point of view by using relevant and convincing examples
- present their arguments in logical, coherent and sequential order
- accurately use a wide range of grammatical structures, vocabulary and prescribed kanji.
