Arabic
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How to Approach the Exam:
Listening and responding
Preparing for the examination
In the examination
What the markers are looking for
Preparing for the Examination
The listening and responding section of the examination is worth 25 marks.
The listening examination is presented on cassette. It is the first part of the written examination and is designed to assess your knowledge and skill in analysing information from spoken texts.
You will hear between seven and ten spoken texts in Arabic covering a number of text types, e.g. advertisement, announcement, dialogue, message or news item. The texts will be related to the themes and topics prescribed in the syllabus.
Some texts will be between 35 and 45 seconds in length, and others may be longer, up to sixty seconds. You will hear each text twice. There will be a pause between the first and second readings, during which you may make notes. You will be provided time at the end of the second reading to complete your responses.
The best way to prepare for the examination is to practise. Take every opportunity to listen to Arabic in a variety of contexts.
You can listen to past examination cassettes, Arabic television and SBS. radio (Arabic music will not help you!)
Don't be afraid to replay a section if you don't understand it. Remember that in the examination you will hear each item twice. Note down new words that are repeated; if you don't know the meaning, look them up in the dictionary.
Listen actively. Get into the habit of listening for main idea and specific information. Practise making notes while listening.
Revise your lists of key words and phrases for each topic. Don't forget basics from earlier years.
Learn to recognise the context in which language is used and get the main idea before becoming lost in details.
Students who score the highest marks in this section are those who are well prepared in terms of vocabulary recognition and examination technique.
In the Examination
Read the question for each item before the text is spoken on the tape. You can underline key words. Try to predict what might be said. Some of your answers may be required to be answered in either Arabic or English. READ THE QUESTION.
During the first reading try to understand the overall message.
Take notes in either Arabic or English. Use the space on the examination paper for notes.
During the second reading try to catch any details you missed the first time.
After the second reading process all the information and write your answer clearly. Include all relevant details required to answer the question asked. Do not contradict anything you have written earlier. Check that your answer makes sense and avoid ambiguity in your answers.
Be guided by the number of lines provided in the answer spaces. This will give you an idea about the amount of information to be included in each answer.
Try answering in full sentences taking into account the who, what, how, when, where and why in the questions. Its important to know that you may be asked to summarise, interpret or evaluate information, or to identify the context and purpose of a spoken text and support the answer with examples.
If you have any spare time you can go back to an earlier item but don't dwell on it. It is better to prepare for the coming item rather than lose concentration and get stuck on a previous item.
At the end of the examination you can fill in any missing details and make any changes. Don't leave anything out; you cannot be given any marks for blank spaces. Attempt all questions.
Write your answers in blue or black pen. Do not use a pencil.
What the Markers are Looking For
Markers will use the listening and responding examination to assess how well you analyse, process and respond to spoken Arabic.
You will be expected to identify:
- general information
- main points
- specific details.
You could be required to summarise and interpret information and justify your answer with reference to the spoken text.
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