Language, Identity and Culture
ES12-LI is worth about 20 marks out of 100 in recent HSC English Standard papers. Practise 14 exam-style questions (short answer) with instant marking and a worked solution for every question.
START PRACTISINGTopic notes
Language, identity and culture (Paper 2 Section I) — what the focus area asks, the 2027 prescribed texts, how language reflects and shapes identity and culture, key concepts, essay structure and a worked paragraph.
- 1What you need to know
- 2Key concepts
- 3How texts use language to shape identity
- 4Building the essay
- 5Worked example: analysing a short passage
- 6Timing in the exam
- 7Common mistakes
- 8Exam tips
- 9Links to other topics
Example questions
Example 1 · 20 marks · short answer
Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake
How does your prescribed text show that a name can shape a person's sense of identity?
In your response, make close reference to your prescribed text. (20 marks)
Example 2 · 20 marks · short answer
Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake
‘Belonging to two cultures can be both a burden and a gift.’
To what extent does your prescribed text support this view?
In your response, make close reference to your prescribed text. (20 marks)
Answers and worked solutions appear when you practise these questions.