Do you know that many Chinese single syllables are also common Chinese surnames?
For example, we have the word 马 (ma) which means horse and is also the surname of the founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma (马云).
That's the beauty of mastering the Chinese language.
One of the ways to be a master of the Chinese language is to learn it rigorously from a young age.
If you are a Malaysian, the most common educational pathway to master this language is to continue your Chinese formal lessons right up until SPM.
That's why in this article, we will look at how you will be graded for various components in your SPM Chinese Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3.
How Can You Score Well For The Formal Essay Writing in SPM Chinese Paper 1 (Section A)?
The first writing assessment for your SPM Chinese Paper 1 is a 120-word formal essay.
Candidates will either need to write a 公函 (Formal letter), 通告 (Announcement) or 启事（Notice).
For Section A, the total mark allocation is 30 marks.
The essay will mainly be graded in two main criteria: Format and Overall Content.
Here's what you should include (for the format) when you are writing a formal letter (公函), for example.
- 写信人单位 [Sender's unit/company]
- 写信人地址 [Sender's full address]
- 收信人单位 + 职衔 [Receipient's unit and position]
- 收信人姓名 + 尊称 [Receipient's full name and title]
- 收信人地址 [Receipient's full address]
- 日期 [Date]
- 称呼 [Salutations]
- 标题 [Title]
- 写信人单位 + 职衔 [Sender's unit and title]
- 署名 [Signature of the sender]
When it comes to content, make sure you incorporate these three main elements as you write the letter:
- 事项 [Main event/activity]
- 日期、时间、地点 [Date, time and location]
- 日期、时间、地点 [Purpose of writing ]
Source: Popular Online
Now, let's look at the marking rubric for Section A according to different grades.
Click here to find out the difference between the 2022 & 2023 syllabi.
Grade A [25-30 marks]
- 内容完整 [Well-developed content]
- 语言通顺 [Fluency in language]
- 文句简明 [Simple and concise sentences]
- 格式完整 [Complete sentence structures]
- 偶有病句 [Minimal grammatical mistakes]
- 标点基本正确 [Accurate punctuation]
- 罕有错别字 [Minimal/No spelling mistakes]
Grade B [19-24 marks]
- 内容尚完整 [Moderately developed content]
- 语言通顺 [Fluency in language]
- 文句简明 [Simple and concise sentences]
- 格式尚完整 [ Moderately complete sentence structures]
- 病句少 [Occasional grammatical mistakes]
- 标点错漏少 [Few punctuation mistakes]
- 错别字少 [Few spelling errors]
Grade C [13-18 marks]
- 内容欠完整 [ Incomplete content]
- 语言基本通顺 [ Basic language fluency]
- 格式欠完整 [Incomplete (slightly) format]
- 病句稍多[ Many grammatical mistakes]
- 标点错漏少 [Few punctuation mistakes]
- 错别字少 [Few spelling errors]
Grade D [7-12 marks]
- 内容不完整 [Incomplete content]
- 语言不够通顺 [Lack of language fluency]
- 格式不完整 [Incomplete format]
- 病句多 [Many grammatical mistakes]
- 标点错漏多，错别字多 [Many punctuation and spelling errors]
Grade E [1-6 marks]
- 几乎无内容 [ Minimal content]
- 表达极差 [Poor description/writing]
- 语法严重错误 [Many major grammatical errors]
Important notes:
- Every format indicator holds one mark. If one of them is not included, 1 mark will be deducted (format).
- If there's no clear indication of the purpose of writing, the maximum marks awarded will only be 18 marks.
- Candidates must follow and include the given address during the exam.
- If candidates stray from the topic, they will not receive any marks (0).
Remember to review the question carefully and include the necessary format to avoid massive marks loss.
Find out the tips to score well for all the components of your SPM Chinese papers here.
What Is The Marking Rubric For The Long Essay In SPM Chinese Paper 1 (Section B)?
After reviewing the marketing rubric of Section A, let's take a look at how Section B is graded.
Candidates are required to write a 400-word essay, and the mark allocation is 70 marks.
For Section B, candidates will be given three essay choices: 记叙文 (Narrative essay), 说明文 (Explanatory essay) or 议论文 (Argumentative essay). Choose only one essay.
Important note: Examiners will look at these four main elements when they are grading your essays:
- 内容 [Content]
- 表达 [Expression]
- 结构 [Structure]
- 语法 [Language]
Grade A [61-70 marks]
- 切题，中心思想明确，内容具体、充实、有吸引力 [Overall content is relevant, core message has clarity and appeal)
- 叙述、说明、描写、抒情或议论恰当 [Relevance in description/narrative/ argumentative points]
- 语言通顺，罕有病句 [Great language fluency, minimal grammar errors]
- 句式灵活，善于运用修辞手法 [Diverse sentence structures with ample usage of rhetoric devices ]
- 词语生动，遣词用字准确、简练 [Rich vocabulary, accurate and concise wordings]
- 结构完整，层次分明，详略得当 [Complete structure with distinct and appropriate sub-points]
- 标点基本正确，罕有错别字 [Overall no/minimal punctuation and spelling errors]
Grade B [49-60 marks]
- 切题，中心思想明确，内容具体 [Overall content is relevant, core message is clear]
- 叙述、说明、描写、抒情或议论恰当 [Relevance in description/narrative/ argumentative points]
- 语言通顺，病句少 [Great language fluency, few grammar errors]
- 句式尚灵活，正确运用修辞手法 [Varied sentence structures, correct usage of rhetoric devices]
- 遣词用字准确 [Correct wordings and vocabulary]
- 结构完整，层次分明，详略得当 [ Complete structure with distinct and appropriate sub-points]
- 标点错漏少，错别字少 [Few punctuation and spelling errors]
Grade C [37-48 marks]
- 切题，有中心思想，内容欠具体 [Overall content is relevant, core message is clear]
- 叙述、说明、描写、抒情或议论尚恰当 [Relevance in description/narrative/ argumentative points]
- 语言尚通顺，病句稍多 [Average language fluency, many grammar errors]
- 遣词用字尚准确 [Inaccurate (slight) wordings and vocabulary]
- 结构尚完整，层次尚清楚，详略尚得当 [ Incomplete structure and inappropriate sub-points]
- 标点错漏少，错别字少 [Few punctuation and spelling errors]
Grade D [25-36 marks]
- 不甚切题，中心思想不明确，内容空泛 [Overall content is strayed and vague, core message is unclear]
- 叙述、说明、描写、抒情或议论不恰当 [ Description/narrative/ argumentative points irrelevant]
- 语言欠通，病句多 [Lack of language fluency, many grammar errors]
- 遣词用字欠准确 [Inaccurate wordings and vocabulary usage]
- 结构松散，层次不清，详略不当 [Loose structure and inappropriate sub-points]
- 标点错漏多，错别字多 [Many punctuation and spelling errors]
Grade E [13-24 marks]
- 不切题，内容空泛 [Overall content is strayed and vague]
- 叙述、说明、描写、抒情或议论不恰当 [ Description/narrative/ argumentative points irrelevant]
- 语言不通顺，病句很多 [Poor language fluency, many grammar errors]
- 遣词用字不当 [Wrong wordings and vocabulary usage]
- 结构乱，不成篇 [Messy structure and poor coherence]
- 标点错漏多，错别字多 [Many punctuation and spelling errors]
- 字迹潦草，难辨认 [Messy handwriting, poor identification of words]
Grade F [0-12 marks]
- 极不切题 [Overall content is 100% strayed]
- 表达极差 [Poor expression]
- 语法严重错误 [Serious language errors-grammatical/spelling/punctuation]
Continue reading to learn more about what to anticipate for SPM Chinese Paper 2.
What Do Examiners Look For In Your Answers For The Modern Reading Comprehension Section In SPM Chinese Paper 2?
Bear in mind that there are several to the modern reading comprehension assessment in SPM Chinese Paper 2. Altogether there are three parts and 20 questions. The total mark allocation for this section is 70%.
The first part requires candidates to produce a 140-word summary [概述] based on the text.
This part holds 20%, where 20 core points = 20 marks
If the summary exceeds 140 words, marks will be deducted.
The second part and third parts require candidates to answer a few questions based on the text.
The asked questions usually revolved around these elements:
- Overall content
- Sentence structure
- Theme and characters
- Purpose of wordings
- Comprehension of text (selected parts)
Important note: Make sure your final answers match the elaboration in the given text and also the allocated marks.
Master all the format of your SPM Chinese papers here.
Photo by RODNAE Productions (Pexels)
Essential Things To Take Note of When You Are Interpreting The Classic Chinese Texts In SPM Chinese Paper 2
There are four questions for this section. The mark allocation is 30%.
Candidates will be given a Classic Chinese text to read. Here are some important tips to ace this section.
Tip 1: Identify the common vocabulary that you'll see in Classic Chinese texts.
Your revision will come in handy if you have previously made a list of the Classic Chinese words and their respective meanings.
Some examples include:
- 故: 因此 [Therefore]
- 复: 再/又 [Again]
- 欲: 将要 [About to]
- 每: 经常 [Regular]
- 素: 向来 [Always]
Doing this will help you to be well-prepared when you're answering the interpretation question for this section. You'll also have a faster time reading and understanding the whole text.
Tip 2: Match the Classic Chinese wordings to modern Chinese wordings when you're answering.
Even though you are given a Classical Chinese text/poetry, make sure your final answers to all the questions are written in modern Chinese.
Give relevant elaboration and examples according to the question requirements.
Tip 3: Look out for the 注释 (side note) for certain vocabulary at the end of the given text
It's not entirely an uphill battle in this section. There will be a few side notes which include the modern interpretation of certain complex classical Chinese words in the text.
Be sure not to miss them and include them appropriately in your final answers.
Check out these learning resources and reference books to take your SPM Chinese to the next level.
How Are You Graded For Your SPM Chinese Oral Assessment?
Now that we have explored your SPM Chinese writing and reading assessments, it's time to see how you will be tested on your listening and speaking skills for your oral assessment.
This paper will be a 100% internal assessment that is conducted by your subject teacher. The total mark allocation is 20% and the test duration is roughly 12 to 15 minutes.
Here are the exact grading criteria for your SPM Chinese Paper 3 (Oral assessment)
语法词汇 [Grammar and Vocabulary]
- 语法规范，用词恰当，精确 [Good usage of the standard grammar rules, accurate wording and vocabulary]
语音语调 [Tone and Intonation]
- 语音正确清楚，语调自然 [ Accurate intonation for each word and natural speech tone]
流畅度 [Level of fluency]
- 说话自然流利 [Strong fluency and natural conversations]
内容 [Content]
- 内容充实，思想正确成熟 [Compact and rich content, mature expression of thoughts and ideas]
You can refer to the list below to know each grade's marking range.
| Grade | Range of Marks |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 25-30 |
| Good | 19-24 |
| Satisfactory | 12-18 |
| Reach Minimum (Pass) | 6-11 |
| Does Not Reach Minimum | 1-5 |
Having A Balanced Chinese Language Learning Experience With A Superprof Tutor
You should know by now that there is so much to cover for your SPM Chinese Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3.
That's why we highly recommend you to invest in a Superprof SPM Chinese tutor!
You're able to enjoy personalised and systematic lessons on all the writing, reading, listening and speaking components consistently from the very start of your lessons.
Photo by Kindel Media (Pexels)
In between, you can also have lots of practice through sample questions and immediate feedback as you progress throughout the months.
Most importantly, your Superprof tutor can teach you according to your pace and adjust the necessary teaching methodology according to your requests too.
All you need to do is head to the Superprof Malaysia homepage to look for a home tutor/online tutor that offers SPM Chinese lessons within your maximum budget.
Be a Chinese master by acing your SPM Chinese today!
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