MODERN HEBREW
A-level
BIBLICAL HEBREW
7677/1
Paper 1 Translation, Comprehension and Composition
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*236A7677/1/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL BIBLICAL HEBREW – 7677/1 – JUNE 2023
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
General Guidance
A high level of accuracy in written English is required at this level, and accurate spelling and punctuation
are important.
All answers must be written in English, with the following exceptions, which may be written in Biblical
Hebrew where relevant:
- roots
- individual Hebrew letters
- words or short phrases from the text, if the Hebrew is necessary for a complete illustration of the
answer
Answers in Biblical Hebrew must be written using the ‘block’ system.
Transliteration of Biblical Hebrew words is only acceptable for proper nouns – all other words must be
translated into English.
Where the natural answer to a comprehension question consists entirely or partly of words or phrases
from the text, students may translate that material into English without rephrasing it. However, the AO1
mark will not be awarded for a response in which the student includes irrelevant material from the
stimulus, eg by ‘lifting’ an element from the original which does not match the phrasing of the question
set.
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2023 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL BIBLICAL HEBREW – 7677/1 – JUNE 2023
Guidance on applying the marking grids for translation
The general principle in assessing each section should be the proportion (out of 5) of sense achieved.
One approach for each section is given. Acceptable alternatives will be illustrated during
Standardisation, but examiners should assess on its own merits any approach that satisfactorily conveys
the meaning of the Biblical Hebrew.
The determination of what is a “minor” error is only necessary when it is the only error in a translation;
this distinction will then determine whether a mark of 5 or 4 is appropriate. Where marks of 4, 3, 2, 1 and
0 look likely, the overall proportion of meaning conveyed in the section is the only consideration. The
classification below should be seen only as a general guide, the intention of which is to maintain
standards year-on-year. Lead markers should consider each instance on its own merits in the context of
the passage and the section.
1. Tense/aspect errors are “major”. Note, however, that participles can often be correctly translated as
past, present or even future, depending on the context. If a candidate repeatedly makes the same
error of tense/aspect, the error should be counted once only.
2. Vocabulary errors that are close to the right meaning are “minor” errors; any wrong meaning that alters
the sense is “major”.
3. Omission of particles (eg conjunctions) that add nothing to the sense may be ignored; those that add
little to the sense are “minor” errors; omission of other words is generally a “major” error. All likely
omissions should be categorised at Standardisation.
4. Errors of number are “major”, “minor” or they can be ignored altogether and this will depend on their
context.
5. Mistranslation of binyanim (eg passive to active, causative to reflexive) is a “major” error if the sense is
compromised. If the sense is not compromised, it is a “minor” error. If the mistranslation includes an
incorrect pronoun, this is usually a major error.
The final decisions on what constitutes a “minor” and “major” error will be made and communicated to
assessors via the standardisation process (after full consideration of candidates’ responses) and these
decisions will be captured in the final mark scheme for examiners and centres.
Marks Description
5 Accurate translation with one minor error allowed.
4 Mostly correct.
3 More than half right.
2 Less than half right.
1 Little recognisable relation or meaning to the Biblical Hebrew.
0 No response or no response worthy of credit.
3
A-level
BIBLICAL HEBREW
7677/1
Paper 1 Translation, Comprehension and Composition
Mark scheme
June 2023
Version: 1.0 Final
*236A7677/1/MS*
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL BIBLICAL HEBREW – 7677/1 – JUNE 2023
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk
General Guidance
A high level of accuracy in written English is required at this level, and accurate spelling and punctuation
are important.
All answers must be written in English, with the following exceptions, which may be written in Biblical
Hebrew where relevant:
- roots
- individual Hebrew letters
- words or short phrases from the text, if the Hebrew is necessary for a complete illustration of the
answer
Answers in Biblical Hebrew must be written using the ‘block’ system.
Transliteration of Biblical Hebrew words is only acceptable for proper nouns – all other words must be
translated into English.
Where the natural answer to a comprehension question consists entirely or partly of words or phrases
from the text, students may translate that material into English without rephrasing it. However, the AO1
mark will not be awarded for a response in which the student includes irrelevant material from the
stimulus, eg by ‘lifting’ an element from the original which does not match the phrasing of the question
set.
Copyright information
AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
Copyright © 2023 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL BIBLICAL HEBREW – 7677/1 – JUNE 2023
Guidance on applying the marking grids for translation
The general principle in assessing each section should be the proportion (out of 5) of sense achieved.
One approach for each section is given. Acceptable alternatives will be illustrated during
Standardisation, but examiners should assess on its own merits any approach that satisfactorily conveys
the meaning of the Biblical Hebrew.
The determination of what is a “minor” error is only necessary when it is the only error in a translation;
this distinction will then determine whether a mark of 5 or 4 is appropriate. Where marks of 4, 3, 2, 1 and
0 look likely, the overall proportion of meaning conveyed in the section is the only consideration. The
classification below should be seen only as a general guide, the intention of which is to maintain
standards year-on-year. Lead markers should consider each instance on its own merits in the context of
the passage and the section.
1. Tense/aspect errors are “major”. Note, however, that participles can often be correctly translated as
past, present or even future, depending on the context. If a candidate repeatedly makes the same
error of tense/aspect, the error should be counted once only.
2. Vocabulary errors that are close to the right meaning are “minor” errors; any wrong meaning that alters
the sense is “major”.
3. Omission of particles (eg conjunctions) that add nothing to the sense may be ignored; those that add
little to the sense are “minor” errors; omission of other words is generally a “major” error. All likely
omissions should be categorised at Standardisation.
4. Errors of number are “major”, “minor” or they can be ignored altogether and this will depend on their
context.
5. Mistranslation of binyanim (eg passive to active, causative to reflexive) is a “major” error if the sense is
compromised. If the sense is not compromised, it is a “minor” error. If the mistranslation includes an
incorrect pronoun, this is usually a major error.
The final decisions on what constitutes a “minor” and “major” error will be made and communicated to
assessors via the standardisation process (after full consideration of candidates’ responses) and these
decisions will be captured in the final mark scheme for examiners and centres.
Marks Description
5 Accurate translation with one minor error allowed.
4 Mostly correct.
3 More than half right.
2 Less than half right.
1 Little recognisable relation or meaning to the Biblical Hebrew.
0 No response or no response worthy of credit.
3
