About the exam
The Processing written information section of the exam is worth 30 marks.
This section of the exam should take approximately 60 minutes. It is designed to assess your knowledge and skill in analysing and responding to information from written texts.
Part A, Extracting information from written texts, is worth 20 marks. Students read a number of short texts in Japanese; for example advertisements, signs, notes etc, from which they are required to extract specific information. Questions will be in English, and students will answer in English or mark as appropriate.
Part B, Responding to written texts, is worth 10 marks. Students read one or more short passages in Japanese and use the information extracted from the texts to complete a task or series of tasks in Japanese in a total of 80-100 ji, for example, respond to a letter or advertisement, complete a questionnaire or form, or write a journal entry in response to a described event.
Preparing for the exam
You should be familiar with the Beginners prescribed vocabulary list and kanji list. You must be able to read and understand both kanji for writing and kanji for reading from the 1995 syllabus page 38. Dictionaries cannot be used in the Beginners exam at present.
You should be familiar with the prescribed language components from the 1995 syllabus pages 13-18.
Work through the reading skills sections of past papers. Look at the sort of topics that have been covered in previous years and make sure you are familiar with the vocabulary and language structures used.
In the exam
Part A
Take notice of the title of the passage. New (non-prescribed) vocabulary may be in the title and may not be listed again. The title often gives a clue to the overall sense of the text.
Read through the questions at the end of the text. They will give you clues to the overall meaning. Questions are generally given in order, as they occur in the passage.
Read the text for the first time to gain a general idea of the content.
Now read the questions again and mark the sections on the paper from where you think the answers come.
Work your way through the questions and write your answers. Answer all questions fully and provide all relevant information.
If there are specific words of which you are unsure, try to deduce their meaning from the question, the title or the words around them.
Look out for subsections to questions. It is easy to omit parts when you are under pressure.
Make sure your writing is legible and that your answers make sense.
Don’t use liquid paper to correct mistakes as you may forget to go back and fill in the new answer.
Make sure that you answer the questions on the paper. Underline key words if necessary. Commonly occurring words in questions include:
what? / who? / why? / how? / in what way? / describe / list / explain
Keep to the allocated time. You should divide your time according to the marks allocated to the question, so that you don’t run out of time to complete the paper.
Part B
Select the vocabulary and relevant information to use in your response.
Take note of the text type required, and the audience for your writing.
Arrange your response in a meaningful way, using conjunctions to clarify meaning.
Remember that your writing must demonstrate independence from the original text, not just repeat the information already given. It is not necessary to use all information given in the text.
If there are two texts given, remember to refer to both in your response.
Use this opportunity to show off your knowledge of kanji, vocabulary and structures, within the scope of the task.
What the markers are looking for
The assessment criteria for all sections of the Beginners paper are listed on the exam papers and in the syllabus.
The criteria for Part A is:
• the capacity to select relevant information from the passages of written language.
You will be required to identify and convey gist, main points, supporting points and detailed items of specific information.
The criteria for Part B are:
• the capacity to select and use relevant information from the written material;
• form and organisation
observation of the conventions of the discourse form (for example, format, style, cultural appropriateness)
organisation of information into a meaningful sequence
• effective expression
control of the language required to complete the task (appropriateness, clarity of expression including accuracy in the use of linguistic elements)
degree of independence from the wording of the original information.
good luck in your HSC