My Random Insights (from Life) into HSC English Concepts

It seems like a lot of students tend to hate English because the ideas may sometimes seem stupid (too simple) or insignificant (too complicated and useless).

But it’s interesting to see these same ideas later crop up in unexpected ways. Here’s a few ways that I have “encountered” the English AOS and Modules in the past:

Wicked: The Musical

I saw this musical play 3 weeks ago. It was fantastic! I loved the sets, though the ending did seem a bit contrived and soap drama-esque. The play is actually based on a novel by Gregory Maguire.

As an (unofficial) prequel to The Wizard of Oz, it attempts to explain the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West’s “wickedness”.

Without spoiling it, I’d like to point out that this could be a useful related text for Belonging. There are definitely ideas about belonging/not belonging.

Past HSC and Practice Questions for Advanced Module C: History and Memory

Here’s a quick list of some questions for History and Memory. I haven’t had time to do an analysis on it yet.

Past HSC Questions:

2009:

Analyse the ways history and memory generate compelling and unexpected insights.

2008:

Compare how the texts you have studied emphasise the complexities evident in the interplay of history and memory.

2007:

How have the texts studied in this elective challenged your ways of thinking about ‘History and Memory’?

Past HSC and Practise Questions for ESL Module B: Academic English

Here are some past HSC and practise questions for ESL English Module B – Elective 2: Academic English.

It used to be called English for Study, but it’s pretty much the same thing. Questions are worth 20 marks and to be done in 30 minutes.

It is important, when answering Academic English questions, to note:

1. What is the text type and purpose/audience?
2. What does the structure/body of your piece have to cover?

Some questions use diagrams/images so I’ve provided a link and page number instead.

Past HSC Questions

2009:

Write a reflective journal entry which answers the following question. What have you learned about writing effectively for different subject areas in your study of this elective?

In your response, refer in detail to the language structures and features of TWO texts you have composed this year in different subjects.

2008:

HSC Paper – Page 5: Interview

2007:

You have been asked to give an oral presentation to a class of Year 9 students who are about to undertake a research project.

Write the text of your oral presentation giving advice on effective research strategies. In your presentation you should cover planning, composing and presenting the project.

Past HSC and Practice Questions for Belonging ESL

The AOS for ESL English generally  has easier questions than Standard and Advanced. As such, this is a separate list of the types of questions that have been used for past HSCs and in schools. I’ve replaced the word “journeys” with “belonging” to fit the new AOS.

As you read through, you’ll note that the ESL questions tend to be much more “general” rather than a specific question/statement about Belonging.