Strathfield Girls High School

2012 Trial Examination

Paper 1
Text One Poster
a) What is one way the photograph explores concepts of belonging?
The photograph explores the nature of belonging to place through the calm and
tranquil colours used through the image. It highlights the positive and sublime
nature of our relationship to the physical environment.
Text Two Song
b) How is the composers attitude towards belonging expressed in
this song?
The composers attitude towards belonging is effectively expressed in this song,
as he alludes to the sense of pride and optimism that arises from our
connections to place. The repetition of my hometown, my hometown, my
hometown reveals the inherent pride that the persona feels towards his
hometown, which was instilled in him through his father: this is your hometown,
this is your hometown.
Text Three Review
c) Identify the tone used by the composer in this review.
In this review, the composer uses a sceptical tone throughout her text to
highlight her cautious attitude towards Frances Rings ideas about the power of
nature. This is revealed through the use of rhetorical questions, including can
art that explores the vital connection between spirit and landscape remedy our
growing disengagement from it, or at least remind us of a time when nature
filled us with joy and respect, not fear?
d) Discuss the importance of geography to Rings sense of
belonging.
Geography and the physical environment is exceptionally significant to Frances
Rings sense of belonging. This is conveyed through her use of empathic
language when describing the natural world: its power, its abstract beauty and
its incredible presence. Personification is also effectively used to highlight the
influence of geography on Rings sense of self, as exemplified in the statement
its history is still living, breathing and so alive. Furthermore, the use of
personal anecdote reveals Rings deep and profound connection to the physical
environment, as it illustrates the enduring relationship that has shaped her as an
individual: Ring thought back to the Flinders Ranges terrain of her youth. Then
she visited Lake Eyre. Thus, geography plays a significant role in Frances Rings
experience of belonging, as it enriches her sense of identity.
Text Four Short Story
e) In what ways are challenges to belonging explored in this story? 3

The story explores challenges to belonging in a unique way, highlighting how a

lack of communication hinders an individuals relationships to others. The
pervasive sense of silence is effectively established throughout the text,
encompassed in the statement Ten seconds, then stillness. Furthermore, the
text highlights that the fragmentation of relationships as a result of poor
communication undermines an individuals experience of belonging. This is
revealed in the statement An argument before he left, exchanges that shook
the walls, their venom and vanities chasing the girl from the room, where the
alliteration of venom and vanities reflect the detrimental effects of ineffectual
communication. This is reiterated by the image of Her mother a bloodless
mirage, which is suggestive of the disjointed and fragile relationship between
the two the mothers absence and silence becomes a pervasive symbol
throughout the story, indicative of their broken relationship.
Texts One, Two, Three and Four
f) Choose TWO of the four texts given in this section, and argue for
their inclusion in a booklet entitled Belonging: Places, People
and Perspectives to be given to incoming Year 12 Students who
will be doing their HSC in 2013. 5
Texts Three and Four are most suitable for inclusion into the booklet titled
Belonging: Places, People and Perspectives, as it highlights diverse yet
significant ideas about belonging that will be useful to the incoming Year 12
students of 2013.
Text Three establishes the notion that our connections to place are fundamental
in creating a strong, stable sense of identity, thereby enhancing an individuals
experience of belonging, a perspective that is unique and relevant to the study
of belonging. The metaphorical image of landscape as a second skin; your
country as an extension of your body reveals how the physical environment is
an intrinsic part of an individuals sense of self, as the composer asserts the
importance of our connection to the natural world. Furthermore, the use of
emphatic, surreal imagery of glinted like a diamond-encrusted plain highlights
the value of the land in enhancing our sense of self, as it retains a significance
unrivalled by anything else. Likewise, personification is effectively used to
convey the enduring and importance of the physical environment in shaping our
understanding of our identities: Theres something [certain places] do to us.
They remind us instinctively of who we are. Thus, Text Three illustrates how our
connections to place are vital to our sense of self, thereby enriching our
experience of belonging.
Conversely, Text Four reveals how our sense of belonging is enriched by our
connections to the world around us whilst it is our social bonds which limit our
experience of belonging. The personas connections to the world around her are
portrayed in a very affirmative, and serene way, with the motif of song and
music reflecting the gentle and soothing nature of this bond: the goldfinchs
serenade. the girl shielded her eyes and whistled back. Furthermore, the
tranquil image of a blue sky, another beautiful day reflects the sense of peace
that emerges from our relationship to the world around us. However, the
composer also illustrates how an individuals social bonds can adversely
undermine our sense of belonging. The negative imagery of stale haze of

cigarettes and whiskey and venom and vanities embodies the nature of
human relationships, which ultimately undermines our experience of belonging.
This is reiterated by the motif of murder, where this violent and illegal act
becomes the symbol of social relationships in this text. Thus, Text Four espouses
relevant notions of belonging by asserting the paradoxical nature of this complex
idea.
Ultimately, of all four texts, Texts Three and Four are most appropriate for
inclusion into the booklet Belonging: Places, People and Perspectives. They
each reveal divergent and intricate notions of belonging that will enrich the
understanding and appreciaction of the topic for the upcoming HSC students.