2006 School Certificate Specimen Test

ENGLISHLITERACY
Introduction
This document accompanies the specimen test for the 2006 School Certificate test in
Englishliteracy. A mapping grid is also included with the test. It shows how each
question in the test relates to the relevant syllabus outcomes and to the performance
bands used to report student achievement in the test.
In 2006, the first cohort of students studying the English Years 710 Syllabus (2003)
will sit for the School Certificate Englishliteracy test. The scope of the test and the
test specifications have been reviewed for 2006, and this specimen test is indicative of
the type of test that will be produced for 2006 and subsequent years. Because much of
the content of the new syllabus is similar to that in the previous syllabus, many of the
questions in past School Certificate Englishliteracy tests would continue to be
suitable for tests from 2006. The inclusion of questions from past tests in the
specimen paper reflects this.
The purpose of the School Certificate tests
The School Certificate credential marks the end of compulsory schooling. It records
student achievement in the courses studied in Stage 5, and provides results in five
state-wide tests in areas considered foundational to subsequent achievement. Further
information about the School Certificate can be found on the Boards Assessment
Resource Centre (http://www.arc.nsw.edu.au/).
A major purpose of the School Certificate tests at the end of Year 10 is to strengthen
the foundation skills students need to pursue further learning or to succeed in the
workplace.
The scope of the School Certificate tests
The tests focus on foundational aspects of their related syllabuses, and do not cover all
areas of the syllabus. In broad terms, the Englishliteracy test measures students
ability to use language with an awareness of purpose, audience and context. This
ability is measured in the areas of Reading, Writing and Viewing, within a range of
contexts that offer various types of texts. These texts are selected from the contexts of
everyday communication (including factual and non-literary texts), literature and
media (including multi-media). The Englishliteracy test scope statement provides
further details.
Specimen tests
Specimen tests are produced in accordance with the Boards Principles for Setting
School Certificate Tests and Developing Marking Guidelines in a StandardsReferenced Framework, published in Board Bulletin Volume 10 Number 1 (March
2001). Questions are closely related to a subset of syllabus outcomes from the related
course. The test as a whole is structured to show how appropriate differentiation of
student performance at all levels on the performance scale can be obtained.

The Englishliteracy specimen test

The specimen test is an example of the type of test that could be prepared within the
School Certificate Englishliteracy test specifications. Tests in Englishliteracy will
be based on a representative sample of the syllabus outcomes related to the
foundational aspects of the related English course. The mapping grid accompanying
the specimen test shows how the test as a whole samples this subset of outcomes, and
allows all students the opportunity to demonstrate their level of achievement.
The range and balance of outcomes tested in the School Certificate tests in 2006 and
subsequent years may differ from those addressed in the specimen test.
There are a number of points to note in considering the Englishliteracy specimen
test:
In Section 1, students read and view a range of texts, such as newspaper
articles, poems, short stories, graphs, and web pages. The number and types of
texts may vary from year to year.

Based on each of the first texts in Section 1, students answer objectiveresponse format questions worth one mark each. There are 45 questions worth
a total of 45 marks.

Based on the final text in Section 1, students answer short-response format

questions worth a total of 15 marks. The number of short-response format
questions and their individual values may vary from year to year.

A colour text may be included in the test, and may be the basis of either
objective-response format questions or of short-response format questions. In
the specimen test, a colour text is used as Text 2. Should a colour text be used
in the test, the position of that text may vary from year to year.

In Section 2, students complete two writing tasks. The first writing task will
require a written response worth 10 marks. Students will be awarded marks for
their ability to demonstrate knowledge and control of form appropriate to
audience and purpose. Marks will also be awarded for spelling, punctuation,
grammar and paragraphing appropriate to the task.

The second writing task will require an extended written response worth
20 marks. Students will be awarded marks for their ability to demonstrate
organisation and development of ideas, and sustained control of form. Marks
will also be awarded for use of language appropriate to audience, purpose and
context, and for use of spelling, punctuation, grammar and paragraphing
appropriate to the task.

In either or both of the two writing tasks in Section 2, students may be asked
to relate their response to one or more of the texts in Section 1 of the test.

Englishliteracy
2006 School Certificate Specimen Test

General Instructions

Reading time: 10 minutes

Working time: 2 hours

Write using black or blue pen

Attempt ALL questions

Do NOT write in pencil

Write your Centre Number

and Student Number at the
top of pages 21, 25 and 29

Total marks 90

Section 1 Reading/Viewing
Pages 224
60 marks
Allow about 1 hour and 20 minutes for
this section
Questions 145
Questions 4650

45 marks
15 marks

Section 2 Writing
Pages 2532
30 marks
Allow about 40 minutes for this section
This section has TWO questions
Question 51
10 marks
Question 52
20 marks

Print run

Section 1 Reading/Viewing
60 marks
Allow about 1 hour and 20 minutes for this section
Questions 145
Questions 4650

45 marks
15 marks

Use the Section 1 Answer Sheet for Questions 145

Instructions for answering multiple-choice questions

Select the alternative A, B, C or D that best answers the question. Fill in the
response oval completely.
Sample:

2 + 4 = (A) 2
A

(C) 8

(D) 9
D

If you think you have made a mistake, put a cross through the incorrect
answer and fill in the new answer.
A

(B) 6

If you change your mind and have crossed out what you consider to be the
correct answer, then indicate the correct answer by writing the word correct
and drawing an arrow as follows.

correct
A

Text 1 Newspaper report

Read the text on pages 3 and 4 and answer the questions that follow.

DROUGHT CANT RAIN

ON KIDS PARADE
BY MARTIN DURIE
Another day. Nowhere to go. Nothing
to do . . . except talk about the drought
and everyone is sick of that.
Its a long way from dance parties, skate
5 ramps and the art scene. The only scene
to be seen here is sultry kids milling
around the steps of the deserted pub,
the boys with skate-boards to impress
the girls, the girls determined to feign
10 cool disinterest. But it is not just the
outback town that is hot.

The last remaining lotus flower in Mrs Trans garden

30

Since Gulgola Central School Year 10

students, Tom Borg, Iggy Wilson,
Ash-lea Ferguson and Linh Tran created
15 a highly acclaimed artwork they are the
HOTTEST thing to come out of Gulgola.
Their electronic collage entitled Our
Home, Our Hope has become the
symbol for the Year of the Outback.
20

Our artwork is a great thing for

this town, enthuses Ash-lea, the
self-designated leader of the group.

Although all four are clearly proud of

their success, getting them to talk about
25 it is like getting water out of a stone.
If it wasnt for Ash-leas exuberant
self-confidence, this interview would
have been as empty as Gulgolas main
street.

We just got sick of reading the negative

stuff about the drought, says Ash-lea as
the others nod their silent assent.

Im not saying that the drought isnt

negative. It is. Its horrible. But believe it
35 or not, there are good things that come
out of it. Life goes on.
This sense of hope, expressed in the
artworks title, is strongly represented
visually in the piece. The kids
40 constructed an electronic collage from
thousands of digital images. They used
nothing more exciting than their
schools digital camera, the computer
room and their passion.
45

The images are diverse in their scope

and content. They range from the
hopeful expressions of youth skating in

the sun-parched dustbowl of Gulgolas

main street, to the stark beauty of the
50 last remaining lotus flower in Linhs
mothers drought-ravaged garden.
Talking about the artwork finally
inspires the reticent Tom and Iggy to
speak. Yknow Gulgola can be boring,
55 hot and dry, but its our home, says
Tom.
Iggy continues, It is important to us
that other people, especially city kids,
know that we are more than just a dust60 bowl.
Iggy, warming to his theme, lays aside
his skateboard. We have a unique way
of life here. Some people look at us as if
we are a great distance from Sydney. We
65 prefer to think that Sydney is a long way
from us.
Just as interesting as the artwork itself
is the means by which this group
from Gulgola achieved national and
70 international acclaim.
We combined all of our talents, Ash-lea
explains. We hang out every day, theres

nothing else to do, so we naturally knew

what each of us could achieve. Like,
75 Toms a top photographer. I organised
the group. Linhs a wiz on the computer
so she set up a website for the artwork.
We worked through our lunchtimes on
80 the computers at school. Iggy came up
with the idea of linking our site to others
on the net. Yknow, everything that kids
were visiting. It becomes like a positive
virus, it just spreads and spreads.
The positive energy of this virus
eventually infected the chairperson
of the committee responsible for
promoting the Year of the Outback. She
was so impressed by the kids, their
90 message and their spirit that the
artwork now forms the centrepiece of
the publicity campaign.
85

The kids will also act as Australias

ambassadors to the International Youth
95 Conference next year. As expected,
Ash-lea has the final word. Im looking
forward to going overseas and
presenting Gulgola to the world. It
might sound strange to lots of people,
100 but I really dont care if it rains.

What is the meaning of the headline of the newspaper report?

(A) The town has no water.
(B)

The artists wont get wet.

(C) Success is a cause for celebration.

(D) Difficult times wont dampen their spirits.

What type of language device is used in The only scene to be seen here?
(lines 56)
(A) Clich
(B)

Contradiction

(C) Euphemism
(D) Pun

What does the journalist mean by the statement But it is not just the outback
town that is hot? (lines 1011)
(A) The boys are skilful and the girls are attractive.
(B)

The town is exciting and the temperature is high.

(C) The temperature is high and the artists are successful.

(D) The artists are successful and the town is exciting.

Why is Ash-lea the self-designated leader of the group? (line 22)

(A) She is the best artist.
(B)

She is the best photographer.

(C) She is most vocal and has made herself the leader.
(D) She is the most popular and was voted the leader.

Why does the journalist refer to the two images in lines 4551?
(A) To show negative images of the town
(B)

To contrast diverse images representing hope

(C) To provide positive images of the children

(D) To emphasise images caused by the drought

Why does Iggy choose to speak? (lines 5766)

(A) He wants to talk about his town.
(B)

He wants to talk about his artwork.

(C) He believes Gulgola is an unpleasant place to live.

(D) He believes Sydney is an unpleasant place to live.

What is the main idea expressed in lines 7184?

(A) Technology is the path to success.
(B)

Success is achieved through teamwork.

(C) Friends are very important.

(D) Every group needs a leader.

Why does the journalist continue to use the image of the virus? (lines 8588)
(A) To reveal the increasing dangers of technology
(B)

To illustrate Ash-leas control of the group

(C) To emphasise the growing appeal of the artwork

(D) To create a negative image of the artwork

What does the article present as the major achievement of the group?
(A) They are promoting the benefits of friendship.
(B)

They are maintaining hope despite adversity.

(C) They are representing Australia internationally.

(D) They are communicating internationally using technology.

10

Why is the photograph included in the newspaper report?

(A) It is a symbolic image in the artwork.
(B)

It is a symbol of peace and harmony.

(C) It is the floral emblem of Gulgola.

(D) It is the central image of the artwork.

Text 2 Brochure
Detach the stimulus material attached to the back of the test and answer the questions
below.

11

What is the most dominant element of the written text in the brochure?
(A) Details of performances
(B)

Comments from the actors

(C) Opinions from newspapers

(D) Quotations from Shakespeare

12

The colour scheme of the brochure is mainly red, yellow and orange. What is the
effect of this?
(A) It appeals to most readers, and suggests the play is funny.
(B)

It attracts the readers attention, and suggests the play is short.

(C) It appeals to most readers, and suggests the play is educational.

(D) It attracts the readers attention, and suggests the play is lively.

13

What are the main purposes of the brochure?

(A) Praising and inviting
(B)

Advertising and satirising

(C) Informing and promoting

(D) Entertaining and narrating

14

Which of the following best describes the brochures layout?

(A) Busy
(B)

Formal

(C) Random
(D) Tabular

15

What do all the photographs of the actors from the The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare suggest about the production?
(A) It is active.
(B)

It is humorous.

(C) It is scandalous.
(D) It is contemporary.

16

Which word best describes the tone of the following sentence?

This promises to be the freshest and best comedy ever, masterfully
performed by three highly skilled actors, combining Shakespearean
prowess, brilliant improvisation and slapstick comedy. (Red panel)
(A) Critical
(B)

Enthusiastic

(C) Humorous
(D) Sarcastic

17

What is the principal meaning conveyed by the illustration in the Yellow panel?
(A) Actors will be criticising and making fun of Shakespeares drama at the
Opera House.
(B)

Clowns looking like Shakespeare will be performing on the roof of the

Opera House.

(C) Shakespeares plays will be breaking all the box-office records at the Opera
House.
(D) Surprising, amusing versions of Shakespeares plays will be performed at
the Opera House.

18

Which of the following phrases suggests that the play is fast-paced?

(A) rollicking roller coaster
(B)

weave their wicked way

(C) The bard without the boring bits

(D) Surprising and magnificently entertaining

19

What is the meaning of the word homage in the following quotation from
The Age?
Complete Works manages to be both a homage and subversion of
Shakespeare, acknowledging the Bards influence while at the same
time fearlessly poking fun (Red panel, blue text box).
(A) Exact precision
(B)

Great reverence

(C) Small collection

(D) Strong criticism

20

Judging from the overall appearance of the brochure, what type of production
would you expect to see?
(A) Serious and confronting
(B)

Attractive and appealing

(C) Confusing and disturbing

(D) Light-hearted and entertaining

Text 3 Storyboard
Read the text on pages 10 and 11 and answer the questions that follow.

Opening Sequence of a Television Documentary

A storyboard provides a plan of the images, sound and dialogue to be filmed.
The following storyboard depicts the opening frames from a documentary entitled
Australians All . . . This documentary was filmed by a group of students.
Frame 1

Frame 2

Presenter:

Kylie Nguyen

Sound:

Cacophony* of young voices

Sound:

Voices continued

Camera:

Title to screen

Camera:

Long shot of Kylie

Frame 3

Frame 4

Sound:

Camera:

Close-up of Kylie

Kylie:

Hi guys. Thanks for watching and welcome

as we journey around Australia in search
of the typical Aussie teenager.

Frame 5

Sound:

Voice over

Camera:

Map to screen

Kylie:

So hang on for the ride. Lets go!

Frame 6

Sound:

Voice over

Camera:

Long shot of island

Sound:

Sounds of waves and seagulls

David lives on an island but his location

does not limit him.

Camera:

Zoom into mid-shot of David

David:

Fishing is a way of life for us.

Kylie:

Frame 7

Frame 8

Sound:

Muted electronic music

Camera:

Dissolves into extreme close-up of

computer screen

Sound:

Volume of music slowly increases as David

stops speaking

David:

But composing electronic music is my

great love.

Camera:

Over-shot from behind David

David:

I publish my music on my website.

*Cacophony many background sounds which are mixed together

10

Frame 9

Frame 10

Cricket sounds and muffled commentary

Sound:

Sounds of cricket crowd. Voice over

Screen dissolves to a cricket game

Camera:

Unidentified
girls voice: I love cricket, Adam Gilchrist is my hero.

Pans across cricket crowd to Rania.

Extreme wide shot

Kylie:

Ranias family comes from Pakistan.

Frame 11

Frame 12

Sound:
Camera:

Sound:

Muted sound of cricket

Camera:

Close-up of Rania

Rania:

Considering my background, its not

surprising that I love the game.

Frame 13

Sound:

Crowd applause

Camera:

Zooms in past trophy onto photo. Settling

on close-up of Rania

Rania:

I am in the school team and last year we

won the championship.

Frame 14

WOOLWORTHS

Sound:

Background supermarket sound. Voice over

Camera:

Pan from carpark to supermarket entrance

Sound:

Muted music. Voice over

Kylie:

Betcha this is familiar to lots of you, no

matter where you live. How many of you
make money working in a place like this?

Camera:

Mid-shot of Mitchell stacking shelves

Kylie:

Stacking shelves isnt glamorous but for

Mitchell it gets him one step closer to his goal.

Frame 15

Frame 16

Sound:

Background supermarket sound

Camera:

Close-up of Mitchell

Mitchell:

Im saving up for a car. Im almost half-way

there. I want to keep this job for another
six months.

*Montage combining different elements into a single picture.

11

Sound:

Alternating between car revving and

school yard

Camera:

Montage* of car and school images

Mitchell:

Im in Year 12 and its getting harder to

balance work and school.

21

Why does Frame 2 have Kylie in front of the Opera House?

(A) It shows her location and represents youth.
(B)

It establishes her location and symbolises Australia.

(C) It symbolises Australia and establishes her character.

(D) It represents Australia and glamorises her character.

22

Why does Kylie use the words Hi guys . . . to address her audience?
(A) To use informal language
(B)

To use colloquial language

(C) To appeal to young people

(D) To appeal to an audience of boys

23

What is the purpose of the map in Frame 4?

(A) To reinforce that Kylie is Australian
(B)

To reinforce that this is a travel documentary

(C) To show Davids location on an island

(D) To show that the documentary is Australia wide

24

Why does the camera come closer and closer to David in Frames 58?
(A) To focus on his passion
(B)

To focus on his hobbies

(C) To make him appear interesting

(D) To make him appear mysterious

25

What is the effect of having an unidentified girls voice in Frame 9?

(A) To focus on Adam Gilchrist as a hero
(B)

To focus on the game of cricket

(C) To create interest in the documentary

(D) To create suspense about the girls identity

12

26

What is the main purpose of Frame 12?

(A) To emphasise the rest of the team
(B)

To emphasise that girls play cricket well

(C) To present Rania as part of a successful team

(D) To present an image of Ranias prize

27

Why does Frame 16 depict contrasting images and sounds?

(A) It illustrates Mitchells competing priorities.
(B)

It illustrates typical teenage interests.

(C) It implies that Year 12 is hard.

(D) It implies that cars are expensive.

28

Why is a presenter included in the documentary?

(A) To interview each individual
(B)

To link the individuals

(C) To be the subject of the documentary

(D) To provide a female role model

29

What is the significance of the documentarys title frame Australians All . . .

(Frame 1)?
(A) It is a clever use of alliteration.
(B)

It emphasises the diversity of our population.

(C) It is a phrase from the national anthem.

(D) It represents Australian youth.

13

Text 4 Short story

Read the text on pages 14 and 15 and answer the questions that follow.

THE FLYING MACHINE

by Laura Perusco
Laura Perusco grew up on a property in Foxground, a rural area south of Sydney. At the time
of writing she was in Year 12. Her story was published in an anthology of Young Australians
writing. Laura describes her story as A symbol of freedom and childhood memories.

It was always more than just a cable

5 strung between two trees. More than a
rickety old seat suspended headspinningly high above the paddock. The
flying fox was our flying machine.
I can still remember the Christmas
10 holidays when Dad built the flying fox.
Living way up on the plateau, my
brothers and I couldnt walk to the
playground like town kids. We didnt
need to our backyard was an
15 adventure in itself, far more fun than
any park.
They were the sort of halcyon* summer
days where the sunshine seems to last
well past when it should be nightfall.
20 The air is warm before dawn and so is
the water in the pool. The long, sweet
days when you can buy mangoes by the
boxful and have a whole one, both
cheeks and the middle, all to yourself.
25 While most summer holidays seem to
disappear as quickly as the mangoes,
the 16 days it takes Dad to complete the
flying fox stretch to infinity.
First, Dad attaches the cable to the two
30 tallest trees near the house, a good
50 metre run from one end to the other.
The trees are huge. Even if three of us

Dad and Ross and I stand flat against

one of them and hug the trunk, trying to
35 make our hands meet, there is still a
wide gap between Dads fingertips and
mine. Maybe if Mum helps and Tony
when he is older, we will be able to
encircle the tree.
The metal rope is so high up that Dad
builds a wooden platform halfway up
the first tree. This can only be reached
by way of the extension ladder, a device
that must be erected and removed by
45 Dad it is far too unwieldy for Ross and
I to manipulate. It cannot be left up,
leaning against the platform, because
Tony has a penchant** for danger. He
can barely walk, but scrambling up the
50 ladder presents no problem.
40

I cant see how anyone could fall off the

platform anyway. It is enclosed on three
sides by tough chicken wire. And noone would be silly enough to venture
55 too close to the open edge where the
flying fox will dock unless of course to
carefully examine the perilous drop.
Mum is down there, waving her arms
and yelling something . . . Whats that,
60 Mum? Come down? The long way?
Why, whats the short way?

*halcyon carefree and joyous

**penchant a taste or liking for something

14

For days after the platform is finished, 100 I grip the rods hard and look around at
Ross. Dont push, okay?
nothing happens. Dad is in the shed,
working on the chair-like device that
Ross grins. Ready?
65 will be suspended from the cable. It
seems as though Christmas has come
I dont like that grin.
and gone while hes been banging away
in there.
Set?
Then, finally, we are allowed to glimpse
70 the pilot seat of our flying machine. A 105 I really dont like that grin.
timber and chipboard base, a metal rod
GO! With an almighty shove, Ross
extending vertically from each of the
sends me hurtling from the platform.
corners, an old dog chain encircling it as
a seatbelt. To my eyes, it is a throne,
I scream as loudly as the flying foxs
75 crowned by the two silver wheels that
wheels my feet kick in empty air, my
gleam atop it.
110 hair whips about my eyes, the other tree
speeds towards me . . .
The carriage is suspended from the
cable within half-an-hour of the
And I can fly.
revelation.* A yellow rope now trails
80 from its base, to haul the contraption to
Then I am whirring backwards, slowing,
the platform. I cant wait!
stopping. The flying fox rocks gently as
Dad grabs the rope and runs toward the 115 gravity takes hold once more.
launch tree. The wheels above the cable
The laughter bubbles up inside me,
whiz round at an incredible speed. Ross
unstoppable, uncontrollable and Dad
85 and I are already squeezed onto the
reaches up to lift me down from my
platform together, clamouring for first
flying machine.
go. My older brother is such a softie I
win.
120 To think those days seemed to stretch
on forever... I can remember them so
The flying fox jerks to the platform.
clearly it is like watching an instant
90 Carefully, I slide around into the seat.
replay in my mind. But in reality, they
The dog chain is firmly clasped to
were long ago.
completely encircle the chair. Ross
unhooks the rope from the back and
holds one of the vertical rods anchoring 125 Now, the cable sags low in the middle.
The wheels atop the carriage are rusted
95 the chair to the platform.
still. The flying fox is too old it is
beyond flying again.
Suddenly, I am nervous. Looking down
whoops, bad idea I see Tonys bright
I dont feel like I am.
little face beaming up at me. It seems an
incredible distance away.

*revelation a revealing or showing

15

30

Why is the flying fox described as more than just a cable . . . More than a
rickety old seat? (lines 46)
(A) It defies description.
(B)

It inspires imagination.

(C) It is well-constructed and safe.

(D) It is a complicated piece of machinery.

31

What judgement is expressed in lines 1116?

(A) Children living in towns have better facilities.
(B)

Children are too lazy to find things to do.

(C) It is better for children to create their own entertainment.

(D) Life is harder for children living in isolated locations.

32

Which aspect of summer is most emphasised in lines 1728?

(A) The passing of time
(B)

The feeling of warmth

(C) The sweetness of summer fruit

(D) The brightness of summer sunshine

33

What language technique does the writer use in lines 3239 to emphasise the
unity of the family?
(A) Hyperbole
(B)

Irony

(C) Paradox
(D) Symbolism

34

What is the meaning of the word unwieldy as used in line 45?

(A) Complicated
(B)

Dangerous

(C) Difficult to handle

(D) Difficult to understand

16

35

What does the writer imply by the phrase the short way? (line 61)
(A) Climbing down the tree
(B)

Coming down the ladder

(C) Using the flying fox

(D) Jumping to the ground

36

What is the tone conveyed in the phrase . . . nothing happens? (line 63)
(A) Anger
(B)

Anticipation

(C) Contentment
(D) Frustration

37

What language technique does the writer use in it is a throne, crowned by the
two silver wheels? (lines 7475)
(A) Alliteration
(B)

Metaphor

(C) Personification
(D) Simile

38

Which word is an example of onomatopoeia?

(A) Grabs (line 82)
(B)

Whiz (line 84)

(C) Squeezed (line 85)

(D) Softie (line 87)

39

How does the mood change in the section from line 77 to line 99?
(A) From contentment to disappointment
(B)

From contentment to trepidation

(C) From excitement to trepidation

(D) From excitement to disappointment

17

40

What is the connotation of the word anchoring? (line 94)

(A) Security
(B)

Isolation

(C) Restriction
(D) Permanence

41

What effect does the writer hope to achieve by the phrase . . . whoops, bad
idea . . .? (line 97)
(A) The reader is amused at the main characters predicament.
(B)

The reader is distanced from the actions of the main character.

(C) The reader feels afraid for the main character.

(D) The reader feels critical of the main characters behaviour.

42

Why does the main character think I really dont like that grin? (line 105)
(A) She believes that her brother is laughing at her.
(B)

She thinks that her brother is about to embarrass her.

(C) She realises that her brother is about to betray her.

(D) She worries that her brother is going to harm her.

43

What is the message conveyed by the final sentence I dont feel like I am?
(line 129)
(A) She does not feel young any more.
(B)

She is still able to ride a flying fox.

(C) She still has the potential to achieve.

(D) She is no longer in good physical condition.

44

Which quote best reflects Laura Peruscos statement that this story is A symbol
of freedom and childhood memories? (line 3 )
(A) The flying fox was our flying machine. (lines 78)
(B)

It seems as though Christmas has come and gone. (lines 6567)

(C) The laughter bubbles up inside me. (line 116)

(D) To think those days seemed to stretch on forever. (lines 120121)

18

45

Which words best describe the style of writing in this short story?
(A) Objective and analytical
(B)

Subjective and reflective

(C) Interpretative and personal

(D) Imaginative and historical

Please turn over

19

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20
Board of Studies NSW 2006

2006 School Certificate Specimen Test

Englishliteracy

Centre Number

Section 1 (continued)

Student Number

Text 5 Poem
Read the poem on page 22 and answer the questions that follow in the spaces provided.

Please turn over

21
Print run

Spellchecker by Adam Ford

A gremlin with liquid paper in one hand
and a dictionary in the other
scuttles spider-like amongst my words,
checking each letter for its placement,
5 assessing correctness
and suggesting alternatives.
Couch and touch for s-o-u-c-h.
Friend for f-r-i-e-n.
It reminds me there are two ps in appropriate
10 and a capital S in Spain.
At night, with the computers exhaust fan still,
my spellchecker dreams
of the two cs in accessible,
the two rs in embarrassed
15 and the silent p in pseudo.
It dreams of a town of misspelt words,
with telephones spelt with an f.
A town that requires the services of
a brave lexicon* like itself.
20

High noon, and it faces down definitely spelt with an a.

With one shot it correctly positions the e and i in receive.

The words of this town are grateful

to the spellchecker and its quick draw.
It smiles at them and modestly says
25 Dont thank me, Im just doing my job.
And with a wink of its eye to the school teacher
and a tip of its hat to the mayor
the spellchecker leaps astride its horse,
spins its gun around its trigger finger
30 and rides off into the ess-you-enn-ess-ee-tee.
*lexicon dictionary

Reproduced from 'Not Quite the Man for the Job' (Allen and Unwin 1998) with permission from Adam Ford.

22

46

Marks
1
In the first three lines of the poem, the poet describes his computer
spellchecker. Identify ONE language device used in lines 13.
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47

Identify TWO things the spellchecker does that help the poet with his
writing.

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48

The poet establishes an image of the spellchecker dreaming of itself as a

cowboy hero helping a town where there is a problem (lines 1630).
(a)

What is the towns problem?

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......................................................................................................................
(b)

How does the poet establish the image of the spellchecker as

a cowboy?
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23

49

Marks
4
What is the poets attitude to the spellchecker? Support your answer
with references to the poem.
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50

In what ways might this poem appeal to an audience of present day high
school students?
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24

2006 School Certificate Specimen Test

Englishliteracy

Centre Number

Section 2 Writing

Student Number

30 marks
Allow about 40 minutes for this section
This section has TWO questions
Question 51 10 marks
Question 52 20 marks
Answer the questions in the spaces provided.

Please turn over

25
Print run

Allow about 15 minutes to answer this question

Answer the question in the space provided.
In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:
express your ideas using a diary entry with language and structure
appropriate to audience and purpose
use spelling, punctuation, grammar and paragraphing appropriate to the task

Question 51 (10 marks)

A Diary Entry
Imagine you are EITHER the father OR the mother in the short story, The Flying
Machine. (See pages 14 and 15)
Write a diary entry reflecting on the events described in the story.
Your response should include your observations and feelings about these events.

Question 51 continues on page 27

26

Question 51 (continued)
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End of Question 51
27

BLANK PAGE

28
Board of Studies NSW 2006

2006 School Certificate Specimen Test

Englishliteracy

Centre Number

Section 2 (continued)

Student Number

Allow about 25 minutes for this question

Answer the question in the space provided.
In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:
organise, develop and sustain your ideas
present your ideas in the form of a letter
use language appropriate to audience, purpose and context
use spelling, punctuation, grammar and paragraphing appropriate to the task

Question 52 (20 marks)

A Letter
A research team is seeking young peoples impressions of the future.
Write a letter to the research team outlining what the future might hold for you.

Question 52 continues on page 30

29
Print run

Question 52 (continued)
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Question 52 continues on page 31

30

Question 52 (continued)
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End of test

31

BLANK PAGE

32
Board of Studies NSW 2006

Text 2 Brochure

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associate director Darren Gilshenan designed by Shaun Gurton

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Sydney Morning Herald

Something is truly rotten in the state of Denmark

Orange panel

Book now
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3 CUT
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Previews

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*Prices subject to change without notice some price categories subject to limits
or unavailable at some performance times. Check with booking office. S/fees apply.

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Englishliteracy
2006 School Certificate Specimen Test Mapping Grid
For each item in the test, the grid shows the marks allocated, the syllabus outcomes it relates to,
and the bands on the performance scale it is targeting. The range of bands shown indicates the
performance candidates may be able to demonstrate in their responses. That is, if an item is
shown as targeting Bands 35, it indicates that candidates who demonstrate performance
equivalent to the Band 3 descriptions should be able to score some marks on the item, while
those who perform at Band 5 or above could reasonably be expected to gain high marks. In the
case of one-mark items, candidates who demonstrate performance at or above the bands shown
generally could be expected to answer the item correctly.
Question

Marks

Section 1
Text 1Newspaper Article
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
1
10
Text 2Brochure
1
11
1
12
1
13
1
14
1
15
1
16
1
17
1
18
1
19
1
20
Text 3Storyboard
1
21
1
22
1
23
1
24
1
25
1
26
1
27
1
28
1
29
Text 4Short Story
1
30
1
31
1
32

Syllabus Outcomes

Targeted
Performance
Bands

1, 9
1
1, 7, 9
1
1, 2, 4, 6, 7
1, 9
1, 7, 9
1, 4, 5
1, 7, 9
1, 2, 4, 5, 7

45
34
34
23
45
23
34
45
45
45

1, 2, 4
1, 2, 4, 5
1, 2, 4
1, 2, 4, 5
1, 2, 4
1, 4
1, 4
1, 4
1, 4, 9
1, 2, 4, 5

23
34
34
23
45
56
56
34
45
34

1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5
1, 2, 4, 5, 8

34
34
34
45
45
34
34
45
45

1, 2, 6
1, 9
1, 2, 5, 6

45
23
34

Syllabus Outcomes

Targeted
Performance
Bands
34
23
34
56
34
34
56
45
45
34
34
56
56

Question

Marks

33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Text 5Poem
46
47
48a
48b
49
50
Section 2
51
52

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1, 2, 5, 6
1
1, 5
1, 4, 5, 6
1, 4, 5, 6
1, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4
1, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6

1
2
1
4
4
3

1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1
1, 4
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7
1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10

23
23
23
36
26
26

10
20

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8
1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8

26
26