1. Reading
Advanced Higher French, German and Spanish

2. 15% of your overall mark, plus 10 for the translation
800 words, 70 minutes
reading skills are what you need!
dictionary use is key
highlighting saves you time
use of questions makes life easier
plan in the translation: 20 minutes

3. Using the dictionary
look beyond the headword; get used to skimming down the entry
in French and Spanish, if it is a verb, it might be best to go to the verb pages
in German, find the various bits of the verb and join them together before trying to make sense of things, and find the subject of the verb

4. at AH level, it is better to write sentences
look for key words in the questions to show you where the answer is
when answering the questions, treat it as a guided translation: so stick to the details in the language, but feeling free to paraphrase
leave time for the translation: 20 minutes

5. make sure you get the details right: if in doubt, include it!
watch out for the qualifiers!
make sure you have fully understood the question: don’t rush reading the question
if you are asked for three things, give three

6. Un lieu, une heure et un groupe
Un lieu, une heure et un groupe. Samedi 14 mai, ils étaient 9000 à Nantes, à Montpellier et presque aux environs de Tours pour un «apéro géant», organisé via Facebook. Le premier de ces Apéros Géants a eu lieu au mois de mars 2010 et c’est devenu un véritable concours entre différentes villes de France pour voir laquelle peut rassembler le plus de gens à ces fêtes gigantesques. Il n’est pas surprenant d’apprendre que ces fêtes ont le plus de succès dans les villes estudiantines du pays telles que Rennes, Toulouse, Nancy—et que le record, avec fêtards le mois dernier, a eu lieu à Grenoble.
What does the opening paragraph indicate about this new phenomenon of large outdoor gatherings? 2

7. Un lieu, une heure et un groupe
Un lieu, une heure et un groupe. Samedi 14 mai, ils étaient 9000 à Nantes, à Montpellier et presque aux environs de Tours pour un «apéro géant», organisé via Facebook. Le premier de ces Apéros Géants a eu lieu au mois de mars 2010 et c’est devenu un véritable concours entre différentes villes de France pour voir laquelle peut rassembler le plus de gens à ces fêtes gigantesques. Il n’est pas surprenant d’apprendre que ces fêtes ont le plus de succès dans les villes estudiantines du pays telles que Rennes, Toulouse, Nancy—et que le record, avec fêtards le mois dernier, a eu lieu à Grenoble.
What does the opening paragraph indicate about this new phenomenon of large outdoor gatherings? 2
That they are very popular/the numbers of participants are increasing/14000 at one event/ taking place all over France/particularly successful in university/student towns/cities
Towns are competing to attract the biggest number/hold biggest event
Specific detail of date when started

8. El escritor mexicano Carlos Fuentes dijo alguna vez que los argentinos descendían de los barcos. Se refería a cómo la inmigración de fines del siglo XIX y principios del siglo XX transformó por completo el país del hemisferio austral. Argentina fue un extremo, pero en los otros países latinoamericanos la inmigración también fue fundamental. Hay comunidades italianas en Venezuela, croatas en Bolivia, japonesas en el Perú. El aporte de los inmigrantes puede encontrarse tanto en el sector político como en el empresarial, artístico, deportivo o gastronómico.
In the first paragraph the writer discusses immigration. To what extent has immigration had an impact on Argentina and other Latin American countries ? (4 marks)

9. El escritor mexicano Carlos Fuentes dijo alguna vez que los argentinos descendían de los barcos. Se refería a cómo la inmigración de fines del siglo XIX y principios del siglo XX transformó por completo el país del hemisferio austral. Argentina fue un extremo, pero en los otros países latinoamericanos la inmigración también fue fundamental. Hay comunidades italianas en Venezuela, croatas en Bolivia, japonesas en el Perú. El aporte de los inmigrantes puede encontrarse tanto en el sector político como en el empresarial, artístico, deportivo o gastronómico. (4 marks)
at the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century
immigration transformed Argentina completely
there are also Italian communities in Venezuela, Croatian in Bolivia, Japanese in Peru
contribution/impact of immigrants to be found
in politics, business, art, sport and gastronomy (all required)

10. Couchsurfing ist ein Netzwerk der Gastfreundschaft, welches durch das Medium Internet populär wurde und sehr beliebt ist. Das Prinzip ist unkompliziert: Es geht darum, dass Mitglieder die Website verwenden, um kostenlose Unterkunft auf Reisen zu finden.
Außerdem kann man auch nach Herzenslust couchsurfen ohne selbst etwas anbieten zu müssen. 5 Der Gastgeber bleibt immer König — und jemanden abzulehnen, wenn einem das Profil nicht gefällt, ist selbstverständlich erlaubt.
Why is couchsurfing becoming more and more popular? 3

11. Why is couchsurfing becoming more and more popular? 3
Couchsurfing ist ein Netzwerk der Gastfreundschaft, welches durch das Medium Internet populär wurde und sehr beliebt ist. Das Prinzip ist unkompliziert: Es geht darum, dass Mitglieder die Website verwenden, um kostenlose Unterkunft auf Reisen zu finden.
Außerdem kann man auch nach Herzenslust couchsurfen ohne selbst etwas anbieten zu müssen. 5 Der Gastgeber bleibt immer König — und jemanden abzulehnen, wenn einem das Profil nicht gefällt, ist selbstverständlich erlaubt.
Why is couchsurfing becoming more and more popular? 3
 made popular by the internet
 members use the website to find free accommodation
(when travelling)
 you can couchsurf (until your heart’s content) without
offering anything yourself
 the host can cancel if s/he does not like the profile
Any three of the above four points for a maximum of 3 marks

12. What is the writer’s overall purpose in writing about this subject?
Justify your response with close reference to the points made and the language used.
This used to be called ‘the inferential question’
It is basically the same, so you can use past papers to help develop the skill
Particularly the marking schemes for these will help you

13. The overall purpose question
The overall purpose question. For this question candidates must draw meaning from their overall understanding of the text. There is a maximum of 7 marks available for full reference to the text and detailed comment. Pegged marks of 5/3/1 are given for degrees of reference to the text and comment.
0 marks will be given where candidates show little or no inferential skills or understanding of the overall purpose of the text.

15. start with an opinion: a statement about the overall purpose
look at arguments for and against your opinion
use the language of argument: this implies: we gain the impression: the author wants us to see: although, however, on the other hand, etc
refer to particular lines: in line we can see
give as many examples as you have time for!
think about stylistic and language devices
Think Higher English: analysis and evaluation

16. The overall purpose is: (Possible responses include)
The writer aims to persuade the reader of the impact of binge drinking on society, specifically on young people. (French)
• To examine whether or not Latin Americans living in Silicon Valley will benefit from the new immigration reform.
(Spanish)
The overall purpose is to persuade the reader of the benefits of couchsurfing (German)
Any other valid purpose should be accepted.
To justify the overall purpose stated, the candidate's analysis of the text could include the following:
Content and Language used:

17. Content and Language used:
• The text argues that the reality of holiday is often different from the theory
• The writer uses quotes from a professional to illustrate his points, ie it is not based simply on his own thoughts
• The writer offers advice all the way through the text and calls us to be realistic in our expectations in order to make the most of our holiday
• The writer warns that holidays cause stress and can be counterproductive to relaxation, eg the use of the phrase ‘monatelang sparen’ and that holidays are often a disappointment, ‘nie wieder in Urlaub zu fahren’
• The writer offers advice that holidays need not be so stressful, eg ‘Urlaubsstress muss nicht sein’ and that we should not simply follow the crowd, ‘Wir sind doch keine Lemminge’
• The writer reminds us that even simple things give fun, that holidays can be anywhere and that the important thing for us is to get away from work and think about something different.

18. The vocabulary used in the first part of the article is rather positive about binge-drinking (“véritables concours entre villes/les fêtards/pique-nique géant/faire de nouvelles connaissances/ces fêtes/peu d’incidents/bandes d’amis/atmosphère bon enfant”). This gives the idea of an innocent game and suggests a lack of awareness of the dangers.
But the rest of the article uses mainly negative vocabulary towards binge drinking (“ivre mort/hospitalisés/blessures mortelles/trouvé la mort/lutter contre/incapable/condamné/ excessive/indicateur de problèmes/ dépendances/ dangereuse”).
The fact that the writer frequently uses the English word “binge drinking” highlights to the reader how recent this phenomenon is in France, and how it certainly did not play a part in France’s tradition of l’apéritif. The loss of a tradition seems to bother the writer, for example using positive epithets such as “bonne vieille” to describe the French tradition.

19. Several statistics are used to show the extent of the issue of binge drinking.
Shocking examples of dire consequences on individuals and society as a whole, stressing that this issue affects everyone, from individuals to local authorities.
Cultural shift of attitudes towards alcohol are examined.
The irony of the title suggests that there is a sense of the topic being undesirable, as an “apéro” would normally have the intended purpose of being the opposite of that which is suggested in the title it should whet one’s appetite!

20. Spanish There are signs that many will benefit • Signs of progress.
Spanish
There are signs that many will benefit
• Signs of progress
• title of article suggests progression/an improving
situation ( from ... to )
• changing political climate. New reform will benefit
approx. 5 million ‘illegal’ immigrants in America by lifting the threat of deportation and providing some job security
• this will lead to peace of mind and an improved quality of life for those concerned
• changing attitudes (writer refers to immigrants being proud of their roots and being ambitious)
• new role models ( used to be celebrities that young people looked up to, now it’s people who set up their own businesses)
• writer's main focus is a number of Latin Americans who are ‘success stories’. This implies hope for the future. These are high-profile, educated, qualified people who actively support the Latin American population in Silicon Valley

21. .
Spanish
Antonio Altamirano, successful businessman who now employs other Latin Americans. Recognises their potential. Works with other Latin American entrepreneurs, encouraging them (esp. women) to start up in business. He points to a growing confidence among Latin Americans/increasing number of people starting up in business.
Marie Cuello, creator of food app. Good role model for women
Pamela Ocampo, software engineer. First one in her family to go to university and one of the few women to work in technology. Good role model.
Eric Osuna, entrepreneur. Angry at the poor treatment of Latin Americans in the film industry, set up his own film company which more accurately reflects the talents and tastes of Latin American people
There are signs that some people are less likely to benefit.
many immigrants will not qualify for the benefits of the reform so their situation will remain essentially unchanged
ie will continue to live and work illegally, living under the cloud of deportation and this will impact on their general wellbeing
the relationship between the technological giants and these illegal immigrants is unlikely to improve in the short term

22. Style: French
 Short, snappy sentences contribute to a “punching” effect, possibly to appeal to a younger audience.
 Experts’ opinions make the article relevant and lively, but also lend credibility to the writer’s analysis (mainly negative quotes regarding the issue).
 There is effective use of questioning to entice the readers to read on.
 The article ends on a rhetorical question, thus forcing the readers to reflect on what they have just read.
• Writer asks a rhetorical question near the beginning to persuade reader to think of consequences of the disposal of electronic waste.
• Writer’s use of inverted commas, eg “donados” is indicative of ironic tone.
• His/her listing of negative adjectives/images paints a bleak picture, eg ‘estropeadas’ ‘oxidadas’, as does the use of emotive/extreme language like ‘cínica’ and ‘devastadora’.
 pun used in the title fremd (strange/foreign)
 article is light-hearted and anecdotal — lots of first hand
accounts and reported speech
alliteration “Ich kriege die Krise” “willigte widerwillig ein”