yes, your teacher is a bit....strange to say the least. of course you can study, there are definitions, theories, and plus the units you were taught.
Maybe he only answered half of your question though. i know that you have to reflect on your own experiences for examples alot of the time, so maybe thats what he meant?
Dunno
Just to let people know, i get multiple choice in my SAC HSC. it's pretty awesome. that and the fact that the PIP is gonna be 4000 words instead of 5000 words, and it will be worth 40% instead of 30%. Yay for me!!