The Chinese Language & Literature Examination examination is composed of three parts and is only offered at the A Level. Dictionaries are not allowed in the examination, and all assessment materials are available in simplified Chinese characters only. Paper 1 covers the Reading Assessment Objectives, allows students up to 1.5 hours, and requires them to read several texts and respond to multiple-choice and matching questions. Paper 2 covers the Writing Assessment Objectives and allows up to 2 hours to complete both an argumentative/discursive tasks and a narrative or descriptive writing task written in Chinese. Paper 3 covers the Literature Assessment Objectives and allows up to 2 hours to respond to both passage-based and essay questions. Marks from all three Papers are combined to compose the final A Level grade.
The assessment objectives (AOs) are:
AO1 Reading
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:
• R1: Understand detailed information from a range of texts when expressed in standard or idiomatic language.
• R2: Identify emotions, opinions and attitudes which are stated or implied in texts.
• R3: Understand ideas, arguments and conclusions in discursive texts.
• R4: Demonstrate a good understanding of a wide range of vocabulary and language structures used in texts on general topics.
AO2 Writing
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:
• W1: Communicate information, opinions, arguments and creative ideas clearly and effectively, with support/justification.
• W2: Organize ideas into coherent text by using a range of cohesive devices and paragraphing where appropriate.
• W3: Use text conventions and register appropriate to the given purpose and audience.
• W4: Use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar effectively.
• W5: Use vocabulary and grammar accurately.
AO3 Literature
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:
• L1: Present a relevant, structured and supported response.
• L2: Demonstrate understanding of literary texts in a variety of genres, with an appreciation of relevant contexts and cultures.
• L3: Analyze ways in which writers create meaning and effects to engage the reader.
• L4: Produce personal opinions and interpretations of literary texts.
