Chinese Language and Culture examination Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination

1 chinese language , culture examination

1.1 paper 1a – practical writing
1.2 paper 1b – reading comprehension
1.3 paper 2 – cultural issues
1.4 paper 3 – listening
1.5 paper 4 – oral skills assessment
1.6 paper 5 – readings
1.7 controversy of new format

chinese language , culture examination

the examination taken other examinations assess ability of students in using chinese , understanding of chinese culture. introduced in 1993, examination had tests in following:

paper 1a – practical writing (實用文類寫作);
paper 1b – reading comprehension (閱讀理解測驗);
paper 2 – cultural issues (文化問題);
paper 3 – listening (聆聽理解)
paper 4 – oral skills assessment (說話能力測試); and
paper 5 – readings (課外閱讀) (school-based assessment).

like use of english, required-pass subject degrees in jupas, of student sat it. however, unlike english language, students did not take chinese language in hkcee did not sit examination, jupas accepted as-level equivalent subject (or similar qualification chinese language pass) replace hkale chinese language pass students never took part in chinese language in both hkcee , hkale , studied chinese less 6 years. however, chinese university of hong kong did not recognise , required students pass internal chinese language test.

since there many dialects of spoken chinese, paper 3 , paper 4 taken either in cantonese or in putonghua, had declared upon registration. other papers chinese , english versions, choice of language not printed on certificate.

paper 1a – practical writing

the test lasted 1 hour , 30 minutes , allocated 20% of total subject mark. candidates given information simulated situation , required finish writing of more 600 words or 2 writings of no more 700 words in total.

options of text types be:

a formal letter;
a personal letter;
a script of public speech;
a featured topic article;
an argumentative criticism;
a report (on case investigation or project, etc.);
a proposal;
a news article or
minutes.

unless quoting speeches public figures, names needed used in question had use name in question or name list question paper, if not available. marks deducted violation. rule set prevent candidates using names cause unfairness other students.

paper 1b – reading comprehension

the test lasted 1 hour , allocated 15% of total subject mark.

reading comprehension can be:

a 2-piece reading (usually passage written in classical chinese , in vernacular chinese, used after may fourth movement);
a speed reading, be:

type (1): 7 8 articles, unrelated 1 another,
type (2): 3 unrelated groups of articles (article in same group have same theme, , students required compare , contrast them),
type (3): 4 articles of same theme, again required candidates make comparisons.

in 2005, 3-piece reading of articles written in vernacular chinese formularised. change, however, stirred controversy among candidates. new format demanded candidates have high proficiency in comprehension , understanding of rhetoric or euphemism words , phrases.

paper 2 – cultural issues

the test lasted 1 hour , 30 minutes , allocated 25% of total subject mark.

the hkeaa recommended 6 articles reading materials reference. in fact, authority never recommended candidates memorise contents of suggested materials. furthermore, wide-ranging reading habit appreciated:

paper 3 – listening

the test lasted approximately 45 minutes , allocated 15% of total subject mark. ue listening test, exam material broadcast on radio 2. english test, fantasia on greensleeves played before , during intermissions of examinations. broadcast version in cantonese. putonghua students assigned designated examination venues, provided cd tapes separately, contents same of cantonese.

candidates required answer questions listened material. samples of questions provided on first 2 pages of paper. before 2003, candidates wrote sentences answering questions. 2003, multiple-choice involved ticking correct answer , fatal 4 .

fatal 4 (奪命四式) difficult many candidates: had indicate correctness of given statements on listening material. possible answers true , false , partially correct , cannot determined . answers not given or literally. candidates required analyse implied meaning of given speech during course of listening, attitude of speaker. moreover, marks deducted wrong answer, cause negative mark. prevent candidates guessing answer did not know, caused trouble confusing questions.

paper 4 – oral skills assessment

the test had 2 parts, personal presentation , group discussion, both of them allocated 7.5% each of total mark.

in personal presentation, 10 minutes of preparation time given candidates make 3-minute speech on topic. sometimes, candidates asked describe picture.

after personal presentation, group discussion took place. 5 candidates in group, had 5-minute preparation time. then, each candidate had 1 minute first-round speech, , 10 minutes time got them discuss topic freely.

in personal presentation, personal topics asked, , in group discussion, topics related major events or common issues.

paper 5 – readings

this test school-based in sixth , seventh forms. students required read @ least 5 books , finish related assessment, given school. book reports common format, group presentations, or in-class tests, allowed.

any book suitable allowed. guildlines list of recommended books given schools. schools required students choose list or chose books list students.

to prevent schools giving many exordinary grades students, points adjusted performance in examination.

the list of recommended books had 30 books chinese culture, ranging novels or cultural studies historic reports. among list of books, tangshan earthquake on top favour list of books, prologue of book 1 of 26 required passages in old chinese language syllabus in hkcee (the new syllabus not have required passages).

controversy of new format

in 2001, hkeaa decided on across-the-board revamp upon format of questions in exam. changes included replacement of questions on prescribed texts open-ended questions in questions on culture paper. hkeaa s attempt prevent candidates memorising suggested reading materials. that, however, dismissed number of candidates move towards subject turning out saliva subject (吹水科, jyutping: ceoi1 seoi2 fo1) in candidates concentrate on writing large amounts of verbose text , neglect actual quality of contents.

in 2005, format of reading comprehension paper changed speed reading of various articles fine reading of 3 articles, without prior notice. move stirred controversy candidates, of whom teased words in 1 of comprehension texts. hkeaa reiterated stance there has not ever been specific format exam , insisted there nothing wrong paper.

in listening exam of 2007, there part asking students determine whether marked sentences correct or not, based on whole recording. there 10 questions, carrying 2 marks each. in part, if candidate answered question correctly, 2 marks awarded if question answered, 2 marks deducted. no marks given or deducted blank answers. candidate answered questions, no more 5 being correct, end having no marks section, if 5 correct, 10 marks given. stirred controversy among candidates, claimed marking scheme not fair. said questions compulsory there should not advantage left of blanks empty deducting marks wrong answers. hkeaa said had been in practice years prevent students guessing answers, in fact, type of marking had appeared in table-type questions in candidates required tick of boxes in table not in questions in blanks filled.