UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
THE MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
SPANISH
MAY 2007
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
MATRICULATION AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
BOARD
IM Examiners Report – May 2007
IM SPANISH
MAY 2007 SESSION
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
The number of candidates who sat for the May 2007 Intermediate Spanish exam was 13, in line
with the number in the last two years.
The following is a table which compares the results with 2006 and 2007.
Table 1: Distribution of Grades May 2007
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
F
Abs
Total
N of
Grades
0
3
5
3
2
0
0
13
0.0
23.1
38.5
23.1
15.38
0
0
100
% of Total
Distribution of Grades May 2006
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
F
Abs
Total
N of
Grades
0
0
5
2
4
2
1
14
0.0
0.0
35.7
14.3
28.6
14.3
7.1
100
% of Total
Distribution of Grades May 2005
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
F
Abs
Total
N of
Grades
0
0
4
2
3
2
2
13
0.0
0.0
30.7
15.4
23.1
15.4
15.4
100
% of Total
This year was characterized with a shift to higher grades. 23 % obtained a B grade when none
managed to obtain this grade in the two preceding years. At the other end of the table there were
no candidates who obtained an F grade this time, and 85 % were spread between the B, C and D
grades. The average global mark on all exams was 59.
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IM Examiners Report – May 2007
Written Paper.
1. Redacción.
The average mark for this question was 16 from a possible 30, ranging from 25 to 10. There
were 7 students with a mark exceeding the half-way point. There were some well structured
essays this year and a 23 and 25 mark was given to two candidates.
Many of the comments made for the advanced exam are also valid in this case.
That candidates very often resort to Italian when they are at a loss trying to select
the proper Spanish word, instead of trying to re-word what they had to say to bypass the difficulty.
The lack of planning as to how the essay will develop. It seems that candidates
are so preoccupied that they will run short of time, that they rush forward and
start writing what comes to mind. This results in poor structuring of the essay.
2. Comprensión
The average mark in this question was 19 (out of 30), which is a marked improvement from
the previous year. The highest mark was 23.5 and the lowest 12.
Besides seeing again most of the mistakes highlighted in 2006,it was also noted that the
candidates could have improved their mark if they had revised their work at the end and
checked again as to what they might have overlooked .
3. Cultura Hispánica.
.Candidates have shown a slight improvement in their general knowledge of matters Hispanic as
is reflected in the grades. It is, nevertheless, to be hoped that the change to a new basic text will
result in a more solid grounding in the culture and history of Spain in the future.
The average mark in this question was 18 from a possible 30, ranging from 22 to 10
Oral
The average mark in the orals was 6.5 out of a possible 10 marks, ranging from 5 to 8.It was
commendable to see some of the candidates using the correct words in Spanish and
achieving an acceptable flowing style. Most of the rest put up a good effort which is welcome,
considering the little possibility that exists in Malta of speaking the language outside the
classroom. Candidates are urged to make contact with the language through the audio /visual
media, but also possibly by the written word through newspapers and magazines, and
through books from a library.
General Comments
It is to be hoped that, apart from the comments made further above, students will endeavor to
master fully the prepositional phrases, conjunctions and connectors, pronominal verbs and
irregular verbs, besides other, in order to be in a position to write and speak in a more flowing
type of speech and master the language more fully.
Chairperson
Board of examiners
September 2007
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