External Evaluation of the European Baccalaureate (Annexes)

three comprehension questions –
20 marks
two interpretation questions – 40
marks
an essay question - a choice of
two, only one of which is chosen
by the candidate. In the paper
provided for comparison, one
essay consisted of inviting
candidates to write a newspaper
article describing the event related
in the literary text. The other
choice consisted of a topic of a
general literary nature in which
candidates were invited to give
examples from the set texts which
they had studied and from
personal reading – 40 marks.
The ‘corrigé’ (suggested correct or model
answer) provides markers with outlines of
the elements to be expected and rewarded
in Comprehension and Interpretation
exercises, but no indication of how the
marks are to be awarded. There is an
assessment grid indicating the criteria for
marks to be awarded in the Essay.
The Advanced Language II
(approfondissement) paper is based on
a literary passage giving rise to:
Five questions of an analytical
nature on the text – 5 x 10 = 50
marks
A literary essay based on the set
texts studied and on personal
reading (choice of two subjects of
which the candidate chooses only
one) - 50 marks
The ‘corrigé’ provides markers with
outlines of the elements to be expected
and rewarded in the question on the text,
but no indication of how the marks are to
be awarded.
A very general indication of elements to be
expected and rewarded in the Essay is
also provided. 15 marks are available for
giving precise examples from text studied
or personal reading, 10 marks for putting
forward a reasoned argument based on
the subject, 20 marks for constructing a
well developed, structured essay, and 5
marks for expression (language, spelling
etc.).
22
Written paper: duration 2 hrs 30 mins -
220 marks (55%)
Section I, reading comprehension - two
passages, each worth 60 marks (15%)
Questions to be answered in French test
specific areas of comprehension and the
awareness of different levels of meaning
within the text. There are normally one or
two multiple choice questions. In other
questions, candidates are required to
manipulate the target language only where
this is required for the sense of the
answer. One or two questions also test
language awareness and grammar. A
question on each passage, to be answered
in English, tests global comprehension and
awareness of stylistic aspects of the text.
Passage 1 is normally a passage of
current journalistic French.
Passage 2 is a modern literary extract.
Section II, written production (100
marks, 25%) – one compulsory question
(40 marks 10%), choice of (a) or (b), which
link with the subject matter of the two
comprehension passages, (synopticity).
100 words, no penalty for excess.
Two other questions to be chosen from
three, (each worth 30 marks, 7.5%). All
three have (a) or (b) options. 75 words,
again no penalty for longer answers.
Range of topics of interest to examination
cohort age group. One option has
English/Irish language stimulus.Varied
formats range from diary entries to emails
to formal letters. Some are ‘donnez vos
réactions’ questions.
Marks are divided evenly for
communicative ability and language
accuracy
Listening test (80 marks, 20%) –
duration 40 mins approximately. Takes
place after a ten minute break at end of the
written paper. All question and answers in
English or Irish.