German (2008)
Sample assessment instrument and student responses
Supervised assessment: listening
This sample is intended to inform the design of assessment instruments in the senior phase of
learning. It highlights the qualities of student work and the match to the syllabus standards.
Criterion assessed
 Comprehension: listening
Assessment instrument
The response presented in this sample is in response to assessment items.
Part A: Listen to the segment from Einblicke Stichwort: Werbung im Fernsehen
Questions
1. Is Jochen Leisewitz an appropriate person to introduce the topic? Why? In what manner/tone
does he deliver the information?
2. How does Jochen Leisewitz describe most German advertising? How does he explain the reason
for this description?
3. On what basis has he selected these advertisements?
4. Why is the setting used for the Jever beer advertisement?
5. According to Jochen Leisewitz, why is the Oral B advertisement successful?
6. Why does he single out the Mercedes advertisement?
Part B: Listen to the conversation Connie, Heiko and Meike have. They are discussing a
campaign occurring at the moment in Germany. Authentik auf Deutsch: “Du bist Deutschland”.
Questions
1. What is the name of the campaign and what is its purpose?
2. Is the campaign widespread? Explain with specific reference to what you hear.
3. Why are Michael Schumacher, Alice Schwarzer and other German names mentioned?
4. Which group/s instigated the campaign and how do they support it?
5. Describe the target audience of the campaign and explain your answer.
6. On what note does the discussion among the three people end? How do they feel about the
campaign?
Note: The original texts are not included due to copyright restrictions
Instrument-specific criteria and standards
Student responses have been matched to instrument-specific criteria and standards; those which
best describe the student work in this sample are shown below. For more information about the
syllabus dimensions and standards descriptors, see www.qsa.qld.edu.au/4910.html.
Comprehension:
listening
Standard A
Standard C
The student work has the following
characteristics:
The student work has the following
characteristics:





a comprehensive range of information
is presented, including gist, main points
and relevant details
the meaning of familiar and complex
language is accurately and clearly
demonstrated
the speaker’s attitude, purpose and
intentions are clearly evident
subtleties are recognised

essential information is presented,
including some main points and details
which may not always be relevant
the meaning of familiar language is
demonstrated accurately

the speaker’s general intention is
recognised when obvious within a
familiar context

basic analysis and evaluation are
evident

detailed analysis and thorough
evaluation are evident

plausible interpretations of unfamiliar
language are drawn from context

well-constructed conclusions and wellsubstantiated decisions are made

conclusions and decisions are made
but often lack justification

cultural meanings are integrated into
responses where appropriate.

obvious cultural meanings are
identified.
Note: Colour highlights have been used in the table to emphasise the qualities that discriminate
between the standards.
Key: Qualities that differentiate the
A and C standards
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Student response — Standard A
The annotations show the match to the instrument-specific standards.
Comments: Part A
Conclusion substantiated
by content
Speaker’s intention
Relevant details provided
– evidence of knowledge
of vocab- genau,
gruendlich
The meaning of complex
language is demonstrated
e.g. das tut der Kreativitaet
nicht immer gut. (this is
easily confused by the
information which follows)
Gist (although stated the
context requires
reasonable
comprehension skills)
Range of main points and
relevant details provided.
(might be difficult to make
plausible interpretation of
Herkunft)
Main points and relevant
details
The meaning of familiar
language (ohne das Auto
zu zeigen) and complex
language (die Werte
Zuverlaessigkeit und
Qualitaet)
1.
Is Jochen Leisewitz an appropriate person to introduce the topic?
Why? In what manner/tone does he deliver the information?
Yes. He is an expert who has worked in the advertising industry for more than 30
years.
He presents the information in a factual / objective / informative tone.
2.
How does Jochen Leisewitz describe most German advertising? How
does he explain the reason for this description?
Germans are thorough, precise, informative and logical and get the
advertising that reflects those characteristics.
They deserve the advertising they get which is not creative.
3.
On what basis has he selected these advertisements?
They are the exception to the rule and are in some way creative.
4.
Why is the setting used for the Jever beer advertisement?
Tradition and origin are important for beer advertising. You see the landscape,
the dunes and the sea and Jochen mentions how they represent an
escape from the big city/stress.
5.
According to Jochen Leisewitz, why is the Oral B advertisement
successful?
Although it is not very creative it is very precise and is a good example of product
demonstration. The close-up is used.
6.
Why does he single out the Mercedes advertisement?
It conveys the concepts of reliability and quality. These qualities are being talked
about without showing the car.
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The annotations show the match to the instrument-specific standards.
Comments: Part B
1.
Main point is recognised
Du bist Deutschland or You are Germany. The aim of the campaign is to
encourage Germans to become more positive about their country. (More
details: Not so much complaining, not looking pessimistically into the future, and
participating more)
Gist
Detailed analysis and
thorough evaluation
Well-substantiated
decision. Meaning of
familiar language is
demonstrated.
Range of relevant details.
Cultural information
2.
What is the name of the campaign and what is its purpose?
Is the campaign widespread? Explain with specific reference to what
you hear.
Yes. The campaign is on posters on the street, in newspapers and magazines and
through advertising on the television.
3.
Why are Michael Schumacher, Alice Schwarzer and other German
names mentioned?
All are well known Germans who have volunteered to be part of the
promotion at no cost.
Plausible interpretations of
unfamiliar language
4.
e.g. umsonst
Different media groups started the campaign and donated air time to the
value of 30 million Euro.
e.g. Sendezeit
5.
Well-constructed
conclusions, wellsubstantiated decisions.
Plausible interpretations of
unfamiliar language e.g.
Gesellschaftsschichten
Speaker’s attitude and
purpose are evident
Which group/s has instigated the campaign and how do they support
it?
Describe the target audience of the campaign and explain your
answer.
Directed at all ages. It is meant to appeal to a wide range of people. Babies and
tractor drivers are included in the promotion in order to appeal to different parts of
society.
6.
On what note does the discussion among the three people end? How
do they feel about the campaign?
Positive. All participants see a way of contributing to the campaign and see the
need for a positive approach.
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Student response — Standard C
The annotations show the match to the instrument-specific standards.
Comments: Part A
1.
Conclusions often lack justification
Is Jochen Leisewitz an appropriate person to introduce the
topic? Why? In what manner/tone does he deliver the
information?
Probably because he knows about advertising. He speaks in a clear
manner
Basic analysis
2.
Familiar vocabulary (logisch,
informative, kreativ) is recognised.
Sometimes taken out of context
(kreativ) or conclusions are not
logically drawn
Main point recognised
Essential information is presented
but not well linked.
He says the advertising is creative. Germans are logical and like
information.
3.
4.
Comments: Part B
Limited detail provided
1.
Cultural knowledge
Why is the setting used for the Jever beer advertisement?
Tradition is important. No stress. In nature.
5.
Conclusion is made with limited
substantiation
On what basis has he selected these advertisements?
They are creative advertisements.
Understanding of words similar in
English eg:
(Produktdemonstrationen) but
missed key info ( not really
creative)
(Qualitaet) but missed key info
(ohne das Auto zu zeigen)
Main point
How does Jochen Leisewitz describe most German
advertising? How does he explain the reason for this
description?
According to Jochen Leisewitz, why is the Oral B
advertisement successful?
Good product demo with a close-up
6.
Why does he single out the Mercedes advertisement?
The quality of the car is being demonstrated in a different way.
What is the name of the campaign and what is its purpose?
Du bist Deutschland.To make people positive
2.
Is the campaign widespread? Explain with specific reference
to what you hear.
Yes, you can see it on the streets.
3.
Why are Michael Schumacher, Alice Schwarzer and other
German names mentioned?
Detail is incorrect but drawn from
phrase Leben in Deutschland.
(Some knowledge of vocabulary is
evident but taken out of context)
They are famous Germans speaking about living in
Germany.
Essential information is presented
4.
Recognition of vocabulary
(Millionen, Euro) but interpretation
of unfamiliar language is incorrect.
The media support it by donating money — millions of euro.
Essential information drawn from
Heiko’s question — junge Leute
und alte Leute
Conclusion is made
Justification is based on knowledge
of isolated words —
Arbeitschancen, Sportvereine
5.
Which group/s has instigated the campaign and how do they
support it?
Describe the target audience of the campaign and explain
your answer.
Young and old Germans
6.
On what note does the discussion among the three people
end? How do they feel about the campaign?
Mixed feelings — mostly positive. Germans need to work and play
sport together to become more positive.
Acknowledgments
The QSA acknowledges the contribution of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School and the German
State Review Panel in the preparation of this document.
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