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.

ESL: Module A: Examples of Australian Visions

This is a summary of a handout given to one of my ESL students by her teacher – it refers more specifically to Strictly Ballroom.

I’ll try over time to add to this list. Otherwise, if you have any ideas, please comment and I’ll add it to the list here.

Rotary clothes line - Strictly Ballroom from Fanpop

Australian Icons

• Rotary clothes line – what Fran/Scott dance around
• (Greek) milk bars – where Fran lives
• Koalas, possums, wombats, platypus, echidna
• Waratahs, wattles, gum trees, banksias

ESL: Module A: Experience Through Language – Australian Visions

Well really, I can be the only person out there who has no idea what the ESL Elective “Australian Visions” is on about…so here I will post up any developments I find.

As I saw on the ETA Bulletin Board, even teachers aren’t really sure what it is about!

Australian Visions is Elective 2 in Module A: Experience Through Language of the HSC ESL syllabus. To make this clearer: ESL > Module A: Experience Through Language > Elective 2: Australian Visions.

This is what the syllabus says:

Seachange: Playing With Fire

I didn’t particularly like this episode – the metaphors and innuendos were far too obvious and too many. There are some funny moments (Angus’ fantasies) and significant moments (Max/Laura’s dinner) though.

However, I have to admit – discussing this episode with my ESL student was rather awkward. Trying to explain sexual metaphors and relationships….?

• You can read the episode summary on the official ABC website: Playing With Fire

Here’s my own outlined analysis (for students and tutors), but I won’t give too much away. Watch the episode, note their techniques and, most importantly, explain their effect/purpose!

Seachange: Not Such Great Expectations

Watched Not Such Great Expectations today and its a pretty great episode -  better than Playing With Fire I’d say.

• You can read the episode summary on the official ABC website: Not Such Great Expectations

Here’s my own outlined analysis (for students and tutors), but I won’t give too much away. Watch the episode, note their techniques and, most importantly, explain their effect/purpose!