Reading sample answers can be a great benefit for any student preparing for HSC PDHPE exams. Sample answers are written by examination committees and are used by markers to help guide their marking and to provide an example response. These sample answers can become a great tool as you prepare for PDHPE exams (see here).
Reading through these answers helps you to develop your writing ability and to gain a better understanding of exactly what questions are wanting you to write. Sample answers cover all the written response answers in the exam and can help with both short and extended response writing.
For example, question 21 in the HSC Exam for 2012 asked: “Describe the advantages of Medicare for Australian citizens.” for 3 marks. The sample answer is then short and sweet:
Medicare is Australia’s universal health care system ensuring equality of access for all Australian citizens to free or partially funded medical, optometrical and hospital care with the option of choosing private health care for other services.
This answer helps to show the level of information required and the length of detail for a 3 mark question. This can be compared with question 31 (b) which asked: “How are the needs of adult and aged athletes with medical conditions addressed to enable their continued participation in sport?” for 12 marks. The sample answer here is much longer and helps you to understand how to structure your answer and shows you the level of detail required for a 12 marks question.
For adult and aged athletes who suffer from medical conditions such as heart conditions, fractures and bone density, lack of flexibility and joint mobility, there are measures that can be taken to maintain their participation in sport.
People with heart conditions such as high blood pressure should be required to obtain a medical clearance from their doctor before commencing an exercise program. These individuals should then begin their chosen sport gradually and choose suitable activities to match personal capabilities. Aerobic-type exercises such as walking, cycling, swimming and modified strength training programs (30 minutes, three times a week) present some of the best options for people with heart conditions.
Physical activity increases bone mass and makes bones stronger. Exercise assists in the delay of post-menopausal bone-density loss in older women in particular, thus reducing the onset of osteoporosis. Types of sports options available are walking, cycling, swimming, low-impact aerobics and modified strength training programs. These sport options assist in the areas of balance, strength, coordination and flexibility that result in improved bone strength, thus avoiding further fractures.
Low-impact sport options such as walking, cycling, swimming, tai-chi and aqua aerobics all have a positive effect on the flexibility and joint mobility in adult and aged athletes. Programs that focus on safe stretching and improving range of movement in joints increase the balance and stability of adult and aged athletes. Therefore, there is a reduction of fractures caused by falls.
It is important for adults and aged athletes to be able to continue their participation in their chosen sport. Many sporting organisations are recognising this and now provide modified competition arrangements for such athletes. Examples of these include over 35 competitions, ‘Golden Oldies’ tournaments and Masters games. While these activities encourage and facilitate greater participation for adult/aged athletes in sport, medical conditions such as heart conditions, bone density and joint health/flexibility need to be incorporated into the design of these competitions. Many of these therefore have modified equipment, rules and reduced physical contact.
You should note the use of examples throughout this answer as well as the structure to each paragraph, with a topic sentence, explanation, examples/application and links back to the question (for more on writing structure see here). This is what is required from you as you answer the larger questions. At this point it is not just about content, it is also about writing well.
So, sample answers are good to read through. They cover content quite well and will help you. I recommend that you attempt to answer the question straight after reading through the sample answer, and then compare to see how you have gone.
