Past HSC and Practice Questions for Advanced Module B: Hamlet

There are 2 important changes that should be notes, before we have a look at the past HSC questions for the English Advanced Module B: Critical Study of Texts:

1. The text is no longer King Lear, but Hamlet – I’ve changed the past HSC questions below to be about Hamlet.
2. From 2009, the examination rubrics for Module B have changed. To read how this affects your use of past HSC questions and future HSC questions, read this post.

Nevertheless, here are the past HSC questions for King Lear, which have been adapted for Hamlet. There are also some practice questions used by high schools.

Speech to the Israeli Knesset by Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat

This is a new speech for the 2009 syllabus for Module B: Critical Study of Texts – Speeches.

I, and my students, found this one the most difficult to go through. Firstly, because it requires an some understanding of the Arab, Jerusalem, Israel matter (which I myself knew little to nothing about before I did some quick research on this speech). Secondly, because it is the longest speech of the set and Sadat uses some complex references and vocabulary that students may not be able to grasp. Thirdly, many students find this speech boring.

Also, here are some things to consider:

1. How its values and purpose similar to Kyi’s Keynote Address at the Beijing World Conference on Women?
   
2. It is such a lengthy speech. Why is this? What is the structure of this speech?

Rubric Changes to the English Advanced: Module B: Critical Study of Texts

So apparently, the rubric for English Advanced Module B: Critical Study of Texts has now changed in 2009.

You can see the English Advanced Paper 2 rubrics here. This is somewhat important for both students and particularly tutors to realise.

The differences are set out below.

Old Rubric
1. Demonstrates understanding of the ideas expressed in the text.
2. Evaluates the text’s reception in different contexts.
3. Organises, develops and expresses ideas using language appropriate to audience and purpose.

New Rubric
1. Demonstrates an informed understanding of ideas expressed in text.
2. Evaluates the text’s language, content and construction.
3. Organises and develops ideas using language appropriate to audience and purpose.

Past HSC and Practice Questions for Advanced Module B: Speeches

Here are the past HSC questions that have been used for the English Advanced Module B: Critical Study of Texts – Speeches, as well as some practice questions used by high schools etc.

So how should you use these questions?

1. Write a essay according to one of these questions – if you have not already done an essay as part of a school assessment.
2. If you have already written as essay – see if you can adapt it to all the questions below.
   1. To do this – write an introduction/thesis specific to the question and then outline how your body paragraphs would be structured (if any differently).
   2. At the end of this exercise, you should have come up with say 3 alternative thesis that you can have ready in your mind and ready to adapt to whatever question you spring on you in the HSC!

An Australian History for Us All by Noel Pearson

Noel Pearson

Another old speech from the pre-2009 syllabus for for Module B: Critical Study of Texts – Speeches.

There are actually a lot of notes already on Bored of Studies on this speech.

One of my least favourite speeches here. It’s pretty long, very academic (making it hard to teach) in parts and utilises a lot of long quotations, rather than Pearson’s own rhetoric.

However, it’s kind of interesting for me (not for highschool students I suspect) as I’m a Law/Arts student, because this isn’t the first time I’ve read encountered these issues (both legal and historical).

Anyway, here are some things to consider:

1. This speech deals with issues about Indigenous Australians. How it is different to Faith Bandler’s speech?
2. This speech is just 3 years after Keating’s speech. How does it relate to that speech and the Australian identity?
   
3. Why does this speech include some many quotations?