2014 Senior External Examination: Assessment report

Transcription

1 Statistics Year Number of candidates Level of achievement VHA HA SA LA VLA Oral examination Candidates were required to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in using spoken. The oral examination consisted of two sections: Conversation and Discussion. All candidates were individually assessed by a marker either in person or via telephone. Conversation The majority of candidates were able to carry out a general conversation about their personal world, e.g. school and home life, family and friends, interests and aspirations. Most candidates demonstrated a wide range of vocabulary and used grammar effectively. Variations in rhythm and stress were acceptable to a background speaker when paired with appropriate pronunciation and intonation. To achieve a better result, candidates should speak clearly in full sentences with the correct use of complex language. They should also attempt to say everything in, e.g. the subjects that they are studying at school, courses that they will do at university, daily activities. Some candidates may need to practise sustaining conversation. Discussion For the detailed study, candidates discussed a subtopic of their choice selected from the syllabus. Candidates were expected to explore aspects of the language and culture of speaking communities and refer to texts they had studied. Only about 50% of candidates had prepared for this section of the examination. To achieve a better result, candidates should explore aspects of the language as well as the culture of -speaking communities. Candidates may also refer to personal experiences related to the subject of the detailed study and support their conversation and discussion with items such as photographs, diagrams, pictures and maps. Palm cards are not permitted.

2 Written examination The written examination assesses candidates knowledge and skills in dealing with spoken and written texts and in expressing ideas. The written examination has three sections: Listening, Reading and Writing. Listening Suggested responses Task 1 (Responses in English) What is the purpose of this spoken text? The purpose of the text is to announce the game show (quiz) to the community in Queensland. Who is the audience? The audience is people in Queensland, particularly parents and students from Grades 1 to 12. It is said that the event is for đồng hương. Who are they? Đồng hương means people who were born in Vietnam and live in Australia. Task 2 (Responses in English) Why does the speaker believe that her mother is the perfect woman? How does she justify her opinion? The speaker believes that her mother is the perfect woman because she possesses the four main characteristics (pinnacles) of being the perfect woman: công, dung, ngôn, hạnh. The speaker justifies her opinion very well. She talks about her mother s attributes, which are perseverance (she is hardworking), diligence, compassion and morality. Note: Responses can include one or more of the following: Despite being a migrant with no knowledge of English and occupations at the beginning, her mother was determined to learn English and was eventually able to find a job. Even though the situation was tough, her mother still managed to provide her daughter with all the necessities for her education, which gave her a brighter future. Despite the disadvantages and unfortunate situations/circumstances, her mother always worked hard and was satisfied as long as her daughter performed well in school. Page 2 of 6

3 What does tấm gương mean in this context? It means role model (or an exceptional example for somebody to live up to). Task 3 (Responses in ) Cuộc phỏng vấn này nói về chủ đề gì? What is the interview about? Cuộc phỏng vấn nói về các vấn đề liên quan đến việc chuẩn bị vào đại học và việc học đại học. Theo cuộc phỏng vấn, những điểm giống nhau và khác nhau nào đã được đề cập đến? According to the interview, what similarities and differences are identified? Những điểm giống nhau giữa đại học và phổ thong - Đều phải học nhiều để đạt điểm cao Những điểm khác nhau giữa đại học và phổ thông - Thời khóa biểu ở đại hoc đa dạng và linh hoạt hơn. Sinh viên có thể chọn các lớp học có thời gian khác nhau. - Ở đại học, sinh viên gọi thầy cô bằng tên chứ không phải bằng họ. - Ở đại học, sinh viên không cần xin phép khi đi vệ sinh. - Thời gian học ở đại học rất ít, chỉ 12 tiếng mỗi tuần. Tuy nhiên, giờ tự học thì rất nhiều. Tại sao Jenny là người lý tưởng nhất để hỏi về sự so sánh này? Sử dụng các chi tiết trong bài để chứng minh. Why is Jenny the ideal person to make this comparison? Justify your response. Jenny là người lý tưởng để hỏi về sự so sánh vì Jenny vừa tốt nghiệp phổ thông và hiện tại đang học năm nhất tại một trường đại học. Question 4 Jenny có phải là một sinh viên giỏi không? Giải thích tại sao. Is Jenny a good student? Explain your response. Jenny là một học sinh giỏi. 1. Jenny nói chuyện một cách rất tự tin và rành mạch. 2. Jenny hiểu rõ những tiêu chuẩn cần thiết để vào ngành mình muốn. Cô ấy đã tìm hiểu những thông tin liên quan đến ngành kỹ sư như cơ hội có được việc làm sau khi tốt nghiệp đại học. Điều này chứng tỏ Jenny là một học sinh giỏi và có định hướng cho cá nhân. Overall comments for Listening In general, most candidates responded very well to the Listening section. To achieve a better result, analysis and evaluation should be justified and based on information provided in the texts. Candidates also need to check spelling, grammar and sentence structures, and identify subtleties in the texts. In addition, candidates should read the questions carefully before listening to the Page 3 of 6

4 spoken texts in order to effectively gather essential information and details needed in their responses. Candidates also need a good level of English literacy to respond effectively to the questions. Reading Suggested responses Task 1 (Responses in English) What is the main point of the text? Education opens doors. OR Education is fundamental for everyone, especially students. It is important that everyone should be able to follow their dreams and ambitions, no matter what their current social and economic status is. Explain the saying Con quan thì được làm quan. Con sãi ở chùa thì quét lá đa. The saying implies that children should be expected to follow their parents career paths regardless of any circumstances. What is the author s point of view on the issue being discussed? How well do they make their point? The author s point of view is very flexible on the issue. The author emphasises that education is a vital aspect among young people and the choices on their career pathway should not be influenced by their parents careers. The writer highlights that career choices should be made depending on individual aspirations and realistic expectations. The author explains their views very well: a. Lan s parents are manufacturing labourers, yet she can choose to become a doctor or an engineer depending on her dreams. The option to follow her parents career path as a labourer is also possible if she wants. b. In the community, many people work as doctors, engineers, etc. while their parents would not necessarily be involved in those professions. c. Many presidents around the world have parents who are just normal citizens. However, they still have opportunities to run for president. Question 4 What does nông dân mean in English? Nông dân means farmer. Page 4 of 6

5 Task 2 (Responses in ) Acid adipic được sử dụng trong việc gì? What is adipic acid used for? Acid adipic được sử dụng trong sản xuất nylon, quần áo và nhiều sản phẩm thông dụng khác như thảm, dây thừng hay lông bàn chải đáng răng. Ý nghĩa của từ xanh (trong đoạn 4, hang 2) được dùng trong bài này là gì? What is the meaning of xanh (paragraph 4, line 2) in this context? Xanh ở đây có nghĩa là tốt cho môi trường thiên nhiên. Tại sao bài này được đăng trên các phương tiện thông tin đại chúng của Việt Nam. Hãy chứng minh bằng các chi tiết trong bài để. Why was this article published in the media? Justify your response using information from the text. Người tiêu dùng Việt Nam rất coi trọng vấn đề an toàn khi sử dụng các mặt hàng thông dụng như quần áo và giầy dép. Do đó, bài viết này được đăng trên các phương tiện thông tin đại chúng của Việt Nam nhằm cung cấp kiến thức bổ ích về quá trình quần áo được sản xuất từ đường, đặc biệt là vấn đề an toàn. Bài viết có đề cập quá trình này có thể tiến hành trong một vài bước, sản phẩm cuối cũng là tinh khiết, và trong các điều kiện phản ứng nhẹ và an toàn. Bài viết không những nói đến vấn đề an toàn cho người sử dụng, mà còn cung cấp thông tin hữu ích về việc bảo vệ môi trường thiên nhiên. OR Bài này được đăng trên các phương tiện thông tin đại chúng của Việt Nam tại vì nước Việt nam là nước nông nghiệp có nhiều trái cây. Vỏ trái cây được sử dụng trong quá trình này sẽ tốt hơn nhiều so với để chúng phân hủy tự nhiên, gây ô nhiễm môi trường. Nó góp phần nâng cao sản xuất nông nghiệp và công nghiệp, giúp quá trình công nghiệp hóa các sản phẩm nông nghiệp. Comments on Reading Most candidates responded adequately to Questions 1, 2 and 4 of Task 1 and Questions 1 and 2 of Task 2. However, some candidates showed a lack of detailed analysis and thorough evaluation ( Task 2) as well as limited ability in interpreting unfamiliar language ( Task 2). To achieve better results, candidates needed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the text and provide detailed analysis. They also needed to develop an informed conclusion based on the information in the text. Prospective candidates also need a good level of English language literacy to clearly convey their level of understanding of texts. Page 5 of 6

6 Writing A few candidates responded extremely well to the Writing task. The majority, however, demonstrated there was room for improvement. To achieve highly, candidates needed to: apply their knowledge of text types and structures as well as audience convey meaning clearly and effectively through the use of a wide range of vocabulary, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, and display a high degree of accuracy of word order use complex language when necessary use cohesive devices to link aspects of the text demonstrate appropriate register show flexibility and originality. Recommendations for 2015 Prospective candidates should: be prepared prior to attending the oral examination be familiar with the terminology used in the task and in the syllabus carefully read the task instructions in each section of the examination paper be able to identify key words in the questions of each task and respond accordingly know how to draw conclusions from given information in the Listening and Reading sections know how to use information from a given text to effectively support their opinions or conclusions in responses to the Listening and Reading sections express themselves clearly and effectively both in English and in for Listening and Reading sections. Minor spelling or grammatical errors will not affect the overall grade awarded for the Reading and Listening section, although candidate results will be affected if responses cannot be fully understood have a good knowledge of text types and structures when writing write in paragraphs using appropriate terminology, grammar, coherence and register. Page 6 of 6