SACE Stage 2 Chinese (beginners) key terms

Graded tasks completed during the school year, such as oral presentations and written assignments, that count toward the final subject result. Teachers mark them using published performance standards and grades are checked externally.

Tasks set and marked outside the school, such as the final written examination and oral examination, which check achievement against the same standards used for school tasks.

Published descriptions of what students at each grade level can do, used to judge the quality of work in both school and external tasks rather than comparing students with each other.

A spoken test, usually conducted with a teacher or examiner, in which the candidate answers questions and discusses topics in Chinese to show fluency, pronunciation and range of language.

A timed test completed on paper or on a computer, assessing reading, listening and writing skills through comprehension questions and short or extended writing tasks.

The skill of understanding spoken Chinese, tested by hearing recordings or live speech and answering questions about main ideas, details and speakers' intentions.

The skill of understanding written Chinese texts, such as notices, messages and short articles, and answering questions about facts, purpose and meaning.

Producing original written Chinese, for example a message, email or short description, using correct characters, suitable vocabulary and appropriate structure for a given audience and purpose.

Producing spoken Chinese to exchange information, express opinions and keep a conversation going, with attention to pronunciation, tones and appropriate levels of formality.

The official romanisation system that writes Mandarin sounds using Latin letters with tone marks, used to show pronunciation and to type Chinese on a keyboard.

The pitch patterns of Mandarin syllables, of which there are four main ones plus a neutral tone, that change a word's meaning even when the sounds are otherwise identical.

The way speech sounds are produced, including consonants, vowels and tones, judged in spoken tasks for clarity and accuracy.

The written symbols of Chinese, each representing a syllable and often a meaning; learners must recognise, read and write them accurately in written tasks.

The individual lines and curves that make up a Chinese character, written in a fixed order so that characters are formed correctly and legibly.

A component of a Chinese character that often hints at its meaning or sound and is used to organise characters in dictionaries.

Words placed between a number or demonstrative and a noun, such as 个 or 本, which are required in Chinese when counting or specifying things.

The rules for how words are ordered and combined into correct sentences in Chinese, including word order, particles and question forms.

The arrangement of words in a sentence; Chinese commonly follows a subject–verb–object pattern, with time and place expressions usually placed before the verb.

Words that name people, places, things or ideas, which in Chinese do not change form for singular or plural and are often used with measure words.

Words that describe actions or states, which in Chinese do not change for tense; time is shown instead by adverbs or particles such as 了 and 过.

The set of words and phrases a learner knows and can use; exam tasks expect control of prescribed everyday topics such as family, school, food and travel.

The familiar themes around which language tasks are built, such as personal identity, daily life, school, leisure and travel, which candidates should be able to discuss in speech and writing.

Common expressions used when meeting or parting from people, such as 你好 or 再见, which open conversations appropriately and show awareness of social conventions.

Words and phrases such as 请, 谢谢 and 对不起 that show respect and good manners, and are expected in spoken and written interactions.

A register of language used in polite or public situations, such as letters to strangers or teachers, marked by respectful vocabulary and complete sentence structures.

A relaxed register of language used with friends and family, allowing casual words, shorter sentences and colloquial expressions.

A common written task format in which candidates write a message to a specified reader, including an appropriate greeting, clear purpose, relevant details and a closing.

A brief piece of connected writing, such as a description, notice or diary entry, used in exams to assess organisation, accuracy and range of language.

Conveying meaning from Chinese into English or the reverse, with attention to correct grammar, suitable vocabulary and the original message rather than word-for-word rendering.

A spoken task in which the candidate acts out a situation, such as ordering food or asking directions, responding to prompts and keeping the exchange going.

A spoken exchange between two or more people, tested for ability to ask and answer questions, take turns and respond appropriately to what is said.

The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph, helping organise extended writing so that each part has a clear focus.

Words such as 因为, 但是 and 然后 that link ideas and sentences, making speech and writing flow logically and clearly.

The customs, values and everyday practices of Chinese-speaking communities, which candidates should recognise and refer to when discussing topics such as festivals and food.

Celebrations such as Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, commonly used as topics for reading, listening and speaking tasks about traditions and personal experience.

The process of judging a candidate's work against the performance standards, awarding grades for qualities such as accuracy, range, organisation and communication of meaning.

Comments from teachers or peers about strengths and areas to improve, which help candidates prepare for later assessed tasks and the final examination.