School Certificate Literacy
Exam
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What is Literacy?
lit·er·a·cy –noun
1.the quality or state of being literate, esp. the
ability to read and write.
2.a person's knowledge of a particular subject
or field: to acquire computer literacy
Literacy in Mathematics
What is the volume of this triangular prism?
The diagram shows the metal frame of a roof. The
triangle ABC is isosceles with AB = CB. The midpoints of AB and CB
are Y and Z respectively. Show, by calculation, that the length of
AB is 3.4 metres, correct to one decimal place
Literacy in Science
The word equation for photosynthesis is: carbon dioxide + water
−−−> glucose + oxygen + water
What are the reactants for photosynthesis?
(A) Oxygen and glucose
(B) Carbon dioxide and water
(C) Light, oxygen and glucose
(D) Light, carbon dioxide and water
Literacy in History and Geography
Geographical Issues
 air quality, land and water management, coastal management,
spatial inequality waste management, urban growth and decline
Choose ONE issue from the box above.
 Issue chosen ..............................
Outline the main geographical processes relevant to the issue you
have chosen.
Literacy in English

How does the language change from the second last paragraph
(lines 45–47) to the last paragraph (lines 48–54)?
(A) From first person to second person
(B) From second person to third person
(C) From second person to first person
(D) From third person to first person


Provide ONE quotation from the opening paragraph that
indicates that 1 Patterson is ending her studies.
Imagine that a radio program host is interviewing a guest
about his or her participation in an activity in the local
community.
Literacy in Course Work
Unit 1
Term 1
Title: Pump up the Volume
Weeks 1-6
Rubric: Through the close study of lyrical poetry,
students will explore a variety of poetic techniques
and be able to discuss their function and intended
purpose in the text. Students will also evaluate the
role of lyrical poetry in society as a medium for
youth to express: views, opinions and themselves.
Unit 2 Title: A Taste of Genre
Term 1 Weeks 8-11
Rubric: Students will examine a number of film
trailers on a variety of genres. Students will study
the language used in these trailers to establish the
conventions of the genre. Through changing the
language, students will appropriate the genre of the
film. Students will use these texts as the basis for
composing in a variety of text types.
Unit 3 Title: Risks and Challenges
Term 2 Weeks 1-10
Rubric: Through the exploration of an Area of Study
topic, students examine the techniques used in texts
convey meaning. Students also explore and
understand the connections between their novel as
the set text and a combination of non fiction and
multimedia texts through intertextuality. Students
will use these texts as the basis for composing and
responding to a variety of text types.
Unit 4 Title: Young Writers
Term 3 Weeks 1-10
Rubric: Students revise and extend their writing
skills. Students will compose a writing portfolio using
a variety of devices, features, techniques and
stylistic forms on topics of interest
What is in the Literacy Exam?
Reading time: 10 minutes
Working time: 2 hours
Section 1 — Reading/Viewing
Total marks – 90 - Reading 60 marks/ Viewing 30marks
Allow about 1 hour and 20 minutes for this section
Section 2 — Writing - 30 marks
Allow about 40 minutes for this section
This section has TWO questions
Reading Section

You will be presented with a variety of text forms that
require multiple choice responses (refer to Green Sheets
and past papers)
Multiple choice questions will be:
 Language based questions
 Opinion or inferential questions based on understanding
 Content based questions
LOC formula to identify what the question is asking
Viewing Section


You will be presented with a visual text – DVD cover, CD cover,
Poster, Brochure, Advertisement, Webpage etc that you will
need to respond to
Short answer responses deconstructing the visual techniques
used to convey meaning.
Writing Section

This is where you become the composer and a chance to ‘show
off’ your literacy skills

Two pieces of writing

Based on the theme of the paper

Two different text forms – PILS formula

What techniques are appropriate for this text form?

You MUST engage the reader. Do not write predictable,
pedestrian, teenage angst responses
How to Prepare for the Exam
Reading Section – Hot Tips

Read!!!
Know the definitions of techniques. (again refer to green sheet)
Be able to identify techniques. Know what the technique is
used for– the composer’s intent

Know the Purpose, Intended audience, Language and Structure
of a wide variety of texts (PILS Formula)

Reading in context – if you do not know the meaning of a word
– try to work it out by reading the sentences before and after.

Educated guesses – use what you know to eliminate the
incorrect answers – usually end up with 50% guess.

How to Prepare for the Exam
Viewing Section - Hot tips


Know the definitions of visual techniques. (again refer to green
sheet) Be able to identify techniques. Know what the technique
is used for– the composer’s intent
Know the Purpose, Intended audience, Language and Structure
of a wide variety of texts (PILS Formula)
How to Prepare for the Exam
Writing Hot tips



Know the definitions of visual techniques. (again refer to green
sheet) Be able to identify techniques. Know what the technique
is used for– the composer’s intent
Know the Purpose, Intended audience, Language and Structure
of a wide variety of texts (PILS Formula)
Draw on the theme of paper for inspiration. Look at the texts
you have read and viewed to help you with ideas.
Past School Certificate Results
2007
2006

6
4 (2.36) 4,889 (5.95)

6
1 (0.64) 4,589 (5.53)

5
39 (23.07) 22,684 (27.64)

5
16 (10.38) 21,098 (25.45)

4
78 (46.15) 31,663 (38.58)

4
74 (48.05) 33,448 (40.35)

3
35 (20.71) 16,480 (20.08)

3
41 (26.62) 14,233 (17.17)

2
10 (5.91) 4,034 (4.91)
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2
19 (12.33) 5,868 (7.07)
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1
2 (1.18) 1,092 (1.33)

1
3 (1.94) 2,414 (2.91)
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None 1

None 0 (0) 1,241 (1.49)
(0.59) 1,217 (1.48)
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Website
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Board of Studies