WACE Indonesian Background Language cheat sheet

WACE listening texts are played a set number of times (typically twice); notes may be taken during playback, but answers must be written after each hearing or at the end as instructed.

Question types include multiple choice, true/false with justification, short answer, and table or note completion; each type has a different answer format requirement.

Answers must be in Indonesian unless the question explicitly permits English; English responses to Indonesian questions lose marks.

Key information is signalled by discourse markers: 'pertama', 'selanjutnya', 'selain itu', 'namun', 'sebaliknya', 'akhirnya', 'kesimpulannya'.

Numbers, dates, and times may be stated indirectly ('dua minggu yang lalu', 'pukul setengah empat' = 15.30); convert to the format the question requires.

Distractors are common: a speaker may mention an option then reject it ('bukan itu maksud saya', 'sebenarnya bukan'); the final stated position is the answer.

Register matters: formal announcements use 'Anda', 'hadirin', 'para peserta'; informal dialogue uses 'kamu', 'nggak', 'gimana' - the answer should match the source register.

If a detail is missed, use context and the question stem to infer; unanswered items should still receive a plausible Indonesian response rather than being left blank.

Text types in the exam include advertisements, letters, articles, reports, short stories, and infographics; each has recognisable structure and language features to identify.

Skimming for gist precedes scanning for detail: identify the main idea from title, first paragraph, and concluding sentence before answering detail questions.

Question stems indicate response language: 'Sebutkan', 'Jelaskan', 'Mengapa', 'Bagaimana' expect Indonesian answers with reasons where asked.

Affixes change meaning: 'ber-' (possess/do), 'meN-' (active verb), 'di-' (passive), 'ke-an' (abstract noun or adversity), 'peN-an' (process).

Cohesive devices guide inference: 'oleh karena itu', 'dengan demikian', 'meskipun demikian', 'sebaliknya', 'akibatnya' signal cause, contrast, or result.

Synonyms and paraphrases are used in questions rather than exact text words; match meaning, not surface form, when locating evidence.

Vocabulary in context: infer unknown words from surrounding clauses and word roots rather than guessing from English resemblance ('aktual' ≠ 'actual' exactly).

For 'setuju/tidak setuju' items, the answer must state a position and support it with evidence drawn from the text.

Text-type conventions are assessed: a letter has address, date, salutation, body, and closing; a report has headings and impersonal tone; a recount uses past tense and time connectives.

Indonesian verb system has no tense; time is marked by adverbs and connectives such as 'kemarin', 'sekarang', 'besok', 'setelah itu', 'sejak'.

Formal writing uses 'Anda', full forms ('tidak', 'sudah', 'tidak apa-apa'), and avoids colloquialisms ('nggak', 'udah', 'banget').

'Yang' functions as relativiser ('orang yang datang'), and 'adalah' or 'ialah' is optional in equative sentences; overuse of 'adalah' is a common error.

Reduplication signals plurality or variety: 'buku-buku', 'anak-anak', 'sayur-sayuran'; do not add a plural marker when reduplication is used.

Word order is subject–predicate; adjectives follow nouns ('rumah besar'), and negation precedes the predicate ('tidak hadir', 'belum selesai').

Assessment criteria typically cover content, organisation, vocabulary range, grammar accuracy, and register; allocate planning time to content and structure before drafting.

Word-count requirements must be met within tolerance; plan paragraph count (usually three to five) so each paragraph carries one main idea.

Oral assessment typically comprises a conversation/discussion and a prepared or semi-prepared presentation, each scored on communication, range, accuracy, and pronunciation.

Turn-taking markers include 'maaf, boleh saya menambahkan', 'menurut saya', 'sependapat dengan', 'sebaliknya', 'kalau saya pribadi'.

Formal address uses 'Anda', titles ('Bapak', 'Ibu'), and indirect requests ('bolehkah', 'mohon'); informal address uses 'kamu' and casual particles ('sih', 'deh', 'ya').

Pronunciation contrasts to control: 'e' pepet /ə/ versus 'e' taling /e/, final '-k' as glottal stop, and clear distinction of 'p'/'b' and 't'/'d'.

Responses to unseen questions should follow a claim–reason–example structure to sustain fluency without long pauses.

Fillers such as 'eee', 'apa ya' and code-switching to English reduce fluency scores; paraphrasing in Indonesian is the preferred repair strategy.

Presentations require signposting: 'pertama-tama', 'selanjutnya', 'selain itu', 'sebagai kesimpulan', 'terima kasih atas perhatiannya'.

Opinion language distinguishes strength: 'sangat setuju', 'cenderung setuju', 'kurang setuju', 'tidak setuju sama sekali' - choose deliberately to match the task.