Representing actions with nouns (Teaching implications) (p. 6)

Representing actions with nouns

Teaching implications

page 6 of 8

Hong Kong Examinations Authority syllabus - HKCEE

The ability to recognise and use nominalisations and to manipulate word classes is an immensely useful skill, and one which is deliberately tested in public examinations such as the HKCEE Paper II - Reading Comprehension and Usage. Here is the 1999 syllabus with the relevant points highlighted in order to indicate areas in which an ability to recognise and use nominalisation may be necessary in order to complete the task satisfactorily:

Paper II - Reading Comprehension and Usage
(1 1/2 hours)

(24%)

Candidates will be required to respond to a variety of written texts. They will be required to demonstrate their ability to:

(i) understand the overall meaning of a text as well as extract specific information from it;

(ii) recognise, interpret and make inferences from opinions, assumptions, intentions, attitudes and feelings which occur explicitly or implicitly in a text;

(iii) use linguistic and contextual clues and general knowledge to determine meaning;

(iv) complete a text by supplying or selecting words or phrases which are semantically and syntactically appropriate to the overall meaning of the text;

(v) modify a written draft so that the modified text makes sense and reflects a correct use of language; and

(vi) make use of information provided in a variety of texts to produce or complete a different type of text such as a text written for a different audience, with a different purpose or in a different style or format.

Since this paper is objective and wide-ranging, and tests both reading comprehension and usage, criteria for assessment will vary according to the item types.

This paper tests reading skills and an understanding of vocabulary which can be enhanced through reading extensively for both pleasure and information.

Texts may be drawn from a variety of sources including, for example, newspapers, magazines, government publications and promotional materials, and will be of the type commonly encountered in occupational, educational, social and recreational contexts.

Usage questions will be contextualised and may be based on the same text or on different texts. The question types and formats will vary from year to year.

Introduction
Focusing on reading - points to consider
Helping students to develop strategies for reading
Using flowcharts
Focusing on writing - points to consider
Hong Kong Examinations Authority syllabus - HKCEE
Hong Kong Examinations Authority syllabus - AS Level
Types and styles of writing which contain nominalisation

(i)	understand the overall meaning of a text as well as extract specific information from it;
(ii)	recognise, interpret and make inferences from opinions, assumptions, intentions, attitudes and feelings which occur explicitly or implicitly in a text;
(iii)	use linguistic and contextual clues and general knowledge to determine meaning;
(iv)	complete a text by supplying or selecting words or phrases which are semantically and syntactically appropriate to the overall meaning of the text;
(v)	modify a written draft so that the modified text makes sense and reflects a correct use of language; and
(vi)	make use of information provided in a variety of texts to produce or complete a different type of text such as a text written for a different audience, with a different purpose or in a different style or format.