WACE Korean Background Language ATAR flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Listening: playback rule

Each listening recording in the WACE Korean written exam is played twice, with a pause before questions are answered, so notes should be taken on the first hearing.

해요체 register

The informal polite speech style ending in -아요/어요, used with strangers, acquaintances and in everyday polite conversation; the default polite register in listening texts.

합니다체 register

The formal polite speech style ending in -ㅂ니다/습니다, typical of announcements, news, presentations and formal service encounters in listening passages.

반말 register

The informal non-polite speech style used among close friends, family and to children; its appearance signals intimacy or a shift in the speakers' relationship.

그런데 vs 그래서

그런데 introduces contrast or a change of topic, while 그래서 marks a consequence or result; distinguishing them is a frequent listening comprehension question.

Two Korean numeral systems

Sino-Korean numbers are used for money, dates, phone numbers and minutes, while native Korean numbers are used with counters such as 개, 명, 시 and 살.

Negation trap in listening

A common distractor attaches negation to the wrong clause; 확인해야 할 점 is whether 안, 못 or -지 않다 modifies the action actually being asked about.

Reading: text types

Unseen reading passages include notices, advertisements, emails, diary entries, blog posts, opinion columns, informational articles and short literary extracts.

Honorific verbs in texts

드시다, 계시다, 말씀하시다 and 뵙다 elevate the subject or object, revealing the social relationship between characters and often answering who-did-what questions.

-지만 ending

A connective ending meaning 'but' or 'although', joining two contrasting clauses; it usually signals that the second clause carries the main point.

-아서/어서 ending

A connective ending expressing cause or sequential action; it cannot be followed by an imperative or suggestion, which is itself a testable grammar point.

-(으)면서 ending

A connective ending meaning 'while doing', indicating two actions performed simultaneously by the same subject within a sentence.

-는데 ending

A connective ending supplying background information or a mild contrast before the main clause; it often frames the point that follows.

Inference item rule

The correct inference is supported by explicit textual evidence; an answer that is merely plausible in real life but not stated in the passage is a distractor.

Vocabulary in context

Korean words shift meaning with collocation, so the surrounding clause rather than a dictionary's first sense determines the correct reading of a word.

Structure markers

첫째, 둘째, 반면에, 따라서 and 요약하면 organise a text and usually correspond directly to questions about order, contrast, cause and conclusion.

Writing: register matching

Reports and formal letters require 합니다체, while personal emails and diary entries take 해요체 or 반말; inconsistent style within one text costs marks.

Persuasive structure

A persuasive piece states a clear position, gives at least two supported reasons, acknowledges and rebuts a counter-argument, then closes with a recommendation.

Persuasive formulae

-는 것이 중요하다, -아/어야 한다, -ㄹ 필요가 있다 and -다는 점에서 are set expressions for stating importance, obligation, necessity and grounds for an argument.

Korean spacing rule

띄어쓰기 separates words with spaces, but particles such as 은/는, 이/가, 을/를 and 에/에서 attach directly to the preceding word with no space.

Nominalising endings

-는 것, -기 and -(으)ㄴ/는지 turn clauses into noun phrases, allowing embedded structures that demonstrate grammatical range in writing.

Writing task types

The writing section typically pairs a shorter informative or transactional text, such as an email or notice, with a longer persuasive or reflective piece.

Assessment criteria for writing

Marks are allocated for content relevance, range and accuracy of grammar and vocabulary, and coherent organisation using appropriate connectives.

Editing checklist

Final minutes should check particle choice, verb ending consistency with the chosen register, 띄어쓰기, and spelling of frequently confused forms.

Oral exam structure

The oral examination comprises an in-depth study discussion followed by a general conversation, both conducted live by an external examiner in Korean.

In-depth study requirement

Candidates prepare a topic linked to Korean language and culture in advance and must discuss and defend it without reading from prepared notes.

Conversation topics

General conversation covers personal world, daily life, school, future plans and contemporary Korean society, testing spontaneous rather than rehearsed interaction.

Honorifics with examiner

Candidates address the examiner in polite or formal speech throughout, including when disagreeing or asking for clarification, since honorific control is assessed.

Clarification strategies

Phrases such as 혹시 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요? and -다고 하셨는데요? allow candidates to check meaning politely instead of guessing or falling silent.

Buying time naturally

Fillers such as 글쎄요, 제 생각에는 and 잠시만요 maintain fluency during thinking pauses without breaking the polite register.

Paraphrasing strategy

When a word is unavailable, describing it with a simpler phrase or a definition preserves communication and is rewarded over abandoning the idea.

Consonant categories

Korean distinguishes plain, tense and aspirated consonants, as in 가, 까 and 카; confusing these categories changes meaning and affects pronunciation scores.