Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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WJEC

A level SPANISH

Unit 5 Critical and analytical response in writing

(closed-book)

Teaching and Learning Resources

Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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Unit 5

Critical and analytical response in writing (closed-book)

In Unit 5, candidates will be assessed on their skills in AO3 and AO4. For AO3, candidates must demonstrate that they can manipulate the language accurately in the spoken form, using a range of lexis and structure. For AO4, candidates need to show knowledge and understanding of, and respond critically and analytically to, different aspects of the culture of society of country/communities where the language is spoken.

In Unit 5, candidates are required to produce a critical and analytical response in writing, in approximately 400 words, to a question on the literary work they have studied. Candidates are required to study one work from the following list:

Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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The marks are divided as follows between the two assessment objectives AO3 and AO4.

Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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The study of a literary work

Exercise 1: Using the marking grid for the critical and analytical response in writing, read the response below on the text La casa de Bernarda Alba and award marks for AO3 and AO4. Analiza esta afirmación: No es Bernarda Alba quien domina su casa sino Pepe el Romano. [Question 3(a), 2019] Candidate A

Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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Candidate A Marks were awarded as follows: AO3 = 9, AO4 = 9. Total = 18. The Principal says: “This essay does not follow the rubric and there is quite a lot of irrelevance and repetition. Only one paragraph is devoted to the impact of Pepe el Romano, and there is an attempt to evaluate the possible dominance of Adela, which is irrelevant, as is an additional paragraph at the end on Lorca, which is an afterthought. The language is unclear in places and interferes with communication. Verbs tenses, adjectival agreement and gender are often used incorrectly. The candidate cannot spell Bernarda, the main character’s name.”

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AO3: There are some repeated errors. A range of lexis and idiomatic structures is used. There is some evidence of language appropriate to the task set. AO4: There is good knowledge of different aspects of the culture and society of Spanish-speaking countries generally appropriate to the question set. The arguments and points of view are not fully developed or justified by evidence from the source material. Conclusions are based on superficial analysis of issues and themes. Now examine the Indicative Content as found in the Mark Scheme. What other points could the candidate have made and what evidence could have been used to back up these arguments? It is important to remember that the suggestions given are not exhaustive; any relevant and evidenced points made by the candidate will be credited.

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Exercise 2: Using the marking grid for the critical and analytical response in writing, read the response below on the text Como agua para chocolate and award marks for AO3 and AO4. Analiza la relación entre las tres hermanas. [Question 2(b), 2019] Candidate B

Teaching and Learning Resources WJEC A Level Spanish Unit 5

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Candidate B

Marks were awarded as follows: AO3 = 18, AO4 = 15. Total = 33 The Principal says: “This candidate chose to answer the question on the relationship between the three sisters. The essay is concise, analytical and generally addresses the question set, although there is some ambiguity and irrelevance. It is clearly structured, with an introduction and a conclusion, and clear use of paragraphs. Language is clear and accurate.” AO3: There is excellent manipulation of the language of study; it is almost error-free. A wide range of lexis and idiomatic structures is used. There is excellent use of language appropriate to the task set. AO4: The candidate shows very good knowledge of different aspects of the culture and society of Spanish-speaking countries as appropriate to the question set. Arguments and points of view are usually justified by evidence from the source material. Conclusions are usually drawn based on the analysis of issues and themes.

Now examine the Indicative Content as found in the Mark Scheme. What other points could the candidate have made and what evidence could have been used to back up these arguments? It is important to remember that the suggestions given are not exhaustive; any relevant and evidenced points made by the candidate will be credited.

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Exercise 3: Using the marking grid for the critical and analytical response in writing, read the response below on the text La casa de Bernarda Alba and award marks for AO3 and AO4. Analiza esta afirmación: No es Bernarda Alba quien domina su casa sino Pepe el Romano. [Question 3(a), 2019] Candidate C

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Candidate C

Marks were awarded as follows: AO3 = 19, AO4 = 19. Total = 38 The Principal says: “This is an excellent essay – direct, concise, relevant and accurate.” AO3: There is excellent manipulation of the language of study and a high level of accuracy. A wide range of lexis and idiomatic structures is used. There is excellent use of language appropriate to the task set. AO4: The candidate shows very good knowledge of different aspects of the culture and society of Spanish-speaking countries as appropriate to the question set. Arguments and points of view are usually justified by evidence from the source material. Conclusions are usually drawn based on the analysis of issues and themes.

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Now examine the Indicative Content as found in the Mark Scheme. What other points could the candidate have made and what evidence could have been used to back up these arguments? It is important to remember that the suggestions given are not exhaustive; any relevant and evidenced points made by the candidate will be credited.

Exercise 4: Using the marking grid for the critical and analytical response in writing, read the response below on the text Requiem para un campesino español and award marks for AO3 and AO4. (a) Analiza esta afirmación : La tragedia de Paco es que se fía de Mosén Millán. [Question 4(a), 2019] Candidate D

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Candidate D

Marks were awarded as follows: AO3 = 9, AO4 = 11. Total = 20 The Principal says: “This essay is descriptive, unclear and contradictory in places with numerous errors.” AO3: There is some manipulation of the language of study but with errors that sometimes make the message unclear. A range of lexis and idiomatic structures is used and there is some evidence of language appropriate to the task set. AO4: The candidate shows knowledge of different aspects of the culture and society of Spain and Spanish-speaking countries and communities generally appropriate to the question set but arguments and points of view are not fully developed or justified by evidence from the source material. Conclusions are based on superficial analysis of issues and themes.

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Now examine the Indicative Content as found in the Mark Scheme. What other points could the candidate have made and what evidence could have been used to back up these arguments? It is important to remember that the suggestions given are not exhaustive; any relevant and evidenced points made by the candidate will be credited.

Principal Examiner Top Tips:

• The most popular works are La Casa de Bernarda Alba and Como agua para chocolate.

• The language must communicate the ideas with clarity and accuracy. • The content of the essay must be a critical response to the task set in the

title. • Develop writing skills by practising introductions, conclusions and character

studies. • Use standard structural phrases for introductions, conclusions, developing

points and introducing new ideas. • Progress from writing shorter pieces to the 400 word length essays. • Check language carefully for accuracy.