Contents

Set 8

Part A

Part B

Other Teaching Materials

(Topic analysis, topic-related vocabulary and phrases, writing plans and sample
essays)

Part A
Question 1

Part B
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
 Please stick the barcode label here.

EFFECTIVE EXAM PRACTICE

FOR THE HKDSE
SET 8

HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION

Candidate Number
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 2
(25% of the subject mark)
Question-Answer Book

Time allowed: 2 hours 1st Marker’s 2nd Marker’s

Use Only Use Only
INSTRUCTIONS Marker No. Marker No.

1. Write your Candidate Number in the

spaces provided on Page 1. Part A C Mark Mark
2. You MUST write on EACH LINE. Do not
write in the margins. Answers written in L
the margins will not be marked.
O
3. You are advised to use a pen for this test.
4. Answer TWO questions. Part B C
5. Do not use your real name in answering
L
a n y o f t h e q u e s t i o n s . I f n a m e s a re
provided in the question, you must use O
those names. If no name is provided and
you still wish to use a name to identify Total
yourself, then use ‘Chris Wong’. If you
need to use names for other characters
in the composition not specified by the
For Marker’s Use Only
question, you may use names such as
Mary, Peter, Wai Yee, Mr. Smith, Ms. Mem
Young, etc. You may lose marks if you do
not follow these instructions. Named
6. You are reminded of the importance
of clear handwriting and the need for Addr
planning and proofreading.
7. Rough work should be done on the
rough-work sheets which will be collected
separately. These will not be marked.
8. The Question-Answer Book should be
handed in at the end of the test.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-1 – 359 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

You have TWO hours to answer Question 1 in Part A and ONE question from Part B.

Part A

Write about 200 words on the following topic:

Tuesday, 12th December, 201( ) Hong Kong Young Post

Advice Column

Dear Annie,

This is the first time I’ve asked for advice. My father is a good man, hard-working and honest, but he
smokes a lot of cigarettes every day. He really wants to quit because he knows that smoking can kill, but he just
can’t do it. He’s tried to quit smoking many times but every time he feels stressed out, he smokes again. I’m
afraid I’ll lose him one day.

Worried
Julie

You are Annie. Write a reply to be put in the advice column telling Julie what she should do to help her father quit
smoking.

Part B

Write about 400 words on any one of the following topics:

2. Learning English through Sports Communication

Some highly paid professional athletes take performance-enhancing drugs so that they can outperform others in
their sport. You feel that it is wrong for athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs because it is the same as
cheating.

Write an essay that presents your argument against the use of drugs in sport and give reasons to support your
views.

3. Learning English through Drama

You are Pat Lee. You have always wanted to be an actor. Last week, you auditioned for a major role in Romeo and
Juliet but you were rejected.

Write a letter to your grandmother telling her what happened in the audition, why you were rejected and how you
felt about the whole experience.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-2 – 360 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

4. Learning English through Poems and Songs

Your English teacher has given you the following poem to read:

Father Forgive Them

By Brother Patrick Tierney

A little bird fell, limp,

into the school playground;
little angels gathered around
cautiously, curiously;
one broke the spell
and all joined in,
to stamp on and beat
the little bird,
to death.

The poem was written after a priest witnessed a cruel act by some children in a school playground.

You are Pat Chan. Write an entry for your online blog saying how you feel after reading the poem, what you like
about the poem and whether or not you believe that the children were cruel. You may give specific examples to
support your views.

5. Learning English through Debating

You have received a letter from your cousin, Alex, asking you for advice. Alex is preparing for an inter-class
debating contest. The debate will be on the motion that ‘Fast food companies do more harm than good’. As the
first speaker for the team, Alex has to prepare arguments for the motion.

Write a reply letter to Alex giving advice on how he can prepare for the debate and what he can use for his
opening statements. You may also include some suggestions for arguments which he can use in the debate. Sign
your letter ‘Chris’.

6. Learning English through Short Stories

You were asked to read stories to children at a bookshop last week.

Write a report for your school magazine about your storytelling experience. Describe the story/stories you told
and what you did to make the experience enjoyable to the children.

7. Learning English through Popular Culture

‘Many gamers believe that violent video games have little influence on young people because 42% of the gamers
nowadays are over the age of 18.’

Write an argumentative essay in which you EITHER strongly support this statement OR strongly disagree with it.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-3 – 361 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

8. Learning English through Workplace Communication

‘Hard work is the key to success’. Is there any truth in this statement?

Write a magazine article stating whether you agree or disagree with this statement. Give your article a title.

9. Learning English through Social Issues

You suspect that your neighbours are abusing their children.

Write a letter to the Social Welfare Department explaining your concern and give details of any incidents you are
aware of. wSign your name ‘Chris Wong’. Do not write an address.

END OF PAPER

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-4 – 362 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

 Question No.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-5 – 363 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

 Question No.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-6 – 364 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

 Question No.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-7 – 365 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

 Question No.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-8 – 366 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

 Question No.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-9 – 367 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

 Question No.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

HKDSE-ENG 2-SET 8-10 – 368 – © PILOT PUBLISHING COMPANY LTD.

Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Set 8

Part A Question 1

Topic Analysis

1. Write about 200 words on the following topic:

Tuesday, 12th December, 201( ) Hong Kong Young Post

Advice Column

Dear Annie,

This is the first time I’ve asked for advice. My father is a good man, hard-
working and honest, but he smokes a lot of cigarettes every day. He really wants to
quit because he knows that smoking can kill, but he just can’t do it. He’s tried to quit
smoking many times but every time he feels stressed out, he smokes again. I’m
afraid I’ll lose him one day.

Worried
Julie

You are Annie. Write a reply to be put in the advice column telling Julie what she
should do to help her father quit smoking.

Your Role Annie

• You received a letter from Julie
Situation / Task
• Julie asked you for advice on how to help her father quit
Requirements
smoking
Sub-topics Give advice to Julie on how to help her father quit smoking
Text Type Letter to give advice
Target Audience Julie
• Informal/Semi-formal
• Use the simple present tense to express opinions
Language and Tone • Use conditional sentences, modal verbs or set phrases such
as ‘Why don’t you …?’, ‘Perhaps you should …’ to give
advice
Purpose of Writing To give advice

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

addict carcinogenic commit fully control

endure estimate fail heart disease
lung cancer make a vow negative habits reward
second-hand smoke show down stress support group
take a deep breath united effort urge

Writing Plan

Informal/Friendly greeting
Greeting
e.g., Dear Julie,
Tell Julie that you feel sorry about her situation
e.g., I feel sorry for you having to endure your father’s
smoking.
Give advice to Julie
• Tell him that you don’t want to lose him to cancer.
• Tell him that he should quit if he really loves you and the
Body paragraphs
family.
Ask Julie to tell him to seek advice from the government
Suggest that the whole family can start doing healthy activities
regularly together
Ask her to encourage him to replace his negative habit with a
positive one
Tell Julie that it is not going to be easy; it needs unified effort
from the whole family to help him quit smoking
Closing paragraph
Ask Julie to write again and tell you how it is going with her
father
Informal/Friendly closing
Closing e.g., Best wishes,
Annie

Sample Essay

Dear Julie,

I feel sorry for you having to endure your father’s smoking; there’s nothing worse
than breathing in secondary smoke.

I think you should have a showdown with him and tell him how much you love him
and that you don’t want to lose him to cancer. Say that ‘if you really love us, then you should
quit.’ Before you say this, try and analyse what stresses him out and if it’s the family, then
you’ll all have to promise not to stress him out.

Because smoking is an addiction, you should also seek advice from the government

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

‘Quit Line’ and arrange for him to get treatment at one of their clinics immediately after you
have spoken to him. It looks like he will need lots of help from many people. If necessary, he
can join a support group.

You could also suggest that the whole family start doing healthy activities regularly
so that he will feel better as soon as he quits. Try to encourage him to replace his negative
habit with a positive one like swimming, hiking, playing the guitar, etc. Maybe you could also
estimate how much he spends a year on smoking and tell him what else he could do with the
money.

You know this isn’t going to be easy so it looks like it needs a unified effort from the
whole family. Please write again and tell me how it is going with your father.

Best wishes,
Annie

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Part B Question 2

Topic Analysis

2. Learning English through Sports Communication

Some highly paid professional athletes take performance-enhancing drugs so that they
can outperform others in their sport. You feel that it is wrong for athletes to take
performance-enhancing drugs because it is the same as cheating.

Write an essay that presents your argument against the use of drugs in sport and give
reasons to support your views.

Your Role —
• Some professional athletes take performance-enhancing
Situation / Task drugs
Requirements • You feel that it is wrong for athletes to take performance-
enhancing drugs
• Present your arguments against the use of drugs in sport
Sub-topics
• Give reasons to support your views
Text Type Argumentative essay
Target Audience Your English teacher
• Formal
Language and Tone
• Use the simple present tense to express opinions
• To express opinions
Purpose of Writing • To present arguments
• To persuade the reader

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

aggression compete dedicated detect

detrimental to enhance foolproof improve
lure offender on an equal footing optimal level
painkiller performance side effects stimulant
suspend unfair advantage weed out winner’s rostrum

Writing Plan

Write an appropriate title

Title
e.g., Athletes Against Drugs

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

• There is an increase in the number of athletes taking

performance-enhancing drugs.
Introductory paragraph
• The use of these drugs gives an unfair advantage to those
athletes who use them.
Disagree with the use of performance-enhancing drugs
Reasons:
• The long-term usage of such stimulants is detrimental to
the human body.
• It may have long term side effects.
Body paragraphs
Using performance-enhancing drugs is morally wrong
• It is the same as cheating because offenders knowingly
break the rules of a game.
• It is unfair.
• It is a wrong way to win.
• A system should be in place to protect and encourage
Closing paragraph honesty and integrity to ensure that the truly dedicated
athletes can compete fairly with each other.

Sample Essay

Athletes Against Drugs

Athletics are becoming increasingly competitive with race times now being measured
in thousands of a second to separate first from second and third competitors. Observers
wonder how much faster human beings can perform, and in years to come, will it be
millionths of a second that separate the winners? While training facilities and techniques have
improved vastly over the past few decades, so has the increase in athletes taking performance-
enhancing drugs. The use of these drugs gives an unfair advantage to those athletes who use
them.

Perhaps the lure of standing on the winner’s rostrum to receive a gold medal is too
overpowering for some athletes. Some athletes take performance-enhancing drugs knowing
that these drugs could be detrimental to their bodies. There is sufficient evidence to suggest
that stimulants such as anabolic steroids and human growth hormones have many immediate
and long-term side effects. With such doubt in the minds of experts, the usage of such drugs
should be banned.

Some athletes use performance-enhancing drugs to improve their performance,

reduce weight or stimulate their bodies. Others use them to mask their pain, relax, and
increase focus, concentration and aggression. Whatever the reason, using performance-
enhancing drugs is morally wrong. It is the same as cheating because the offenders knowingly
break the rules of the game. Besides, it is unfair for athletes to use performance-enhancing
drugs to gain a competitive advantage. Everyone should compete on an equal footing. It is the

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

wrong way to win.

In 1998, a cycling team was caught red-handed with large amounts of a performance-
enhancing drug called Erythropoietin (EPO) during the Tour de France. While this drug
enhances the aerobic performance of athletes, it can also have serious side effects, which
could lead to death through overuse. This cycling team was detected and suspended through
drug testing, which has become common practice in most sports.

To sum up, it is morally wrong and risky for athletes to use performance-enhancing
drugs. There should be no place for performance-enhancing drugs in sport. A foolproof
system should be put into place to protect and encourage honesty and integrity. Everyone
associated with sport needs to work hard to weed out the offenders so that the truly dedicated
athletes can compete fairly. Drug testing should be made an essential part of most major
sporting events to ensure that dishonest athletes cannot escape detection if they use
performance-enhancing drugs.

© Pilot Publishing Company Ltd. 2011 All rights reserved. 193

Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Part B Question 3

Topic Analysis

3. Learning English through Drama

You are Pat Lee. You have always wanted to be an actor. Last week, you auditioned for
a major role in Romeo and Juliet but you were rejected.

Write a letter to your grandmother telling her what happened in the audition, why you
were rejected and how you felt about the whole experience.

Your Role Pat Lee

• You have always wanted to be an actor
Situation / Task • Last week, you auditioned for a major role in Romeo and
Requirements Juliet
• You were rejected
• Tell your grandmother what happened in the audition
Sub-topics • Tell your grandmother why you were rejected and how you
felt
Text Type Personal letter
Target Audience Grandmother
• Informal
Language and Tone • Use the simple present tense to express feelings
• Use the simple past tense to talk about past events
• To express feelings
Purpose of Writing
• To inform

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

accent acting audition deflated

deliver expectation lines major role
miss out misunderstanding move on nervous
prop rehearsal reject scene
script showcase talent unprepared

Writing Plan

Informal/Friendly greeting
e.g., Dear Grandma,
Greeting
I hope you’re well. We’re all looking forward to coming
down to see you during the summer holiday …
Tell Grandma about the audition and which role you
Body paragraphs
auditioned for

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

• I went to an audition last week.

• I auditioned for the role of Lady Montague.
• I thought I had a good chance of getting the role.
Tell Grandma what you did to prepare for this role
• I practised being an older woman.
• I learned some of the lines that the character delivers in
the play.
Tell Grandma why you failed and how you felt
• The role was given to a very experienced actress.
• She was more experienced than me, so I didn’t have a
chance.
• I have to put this behind me and learn from the
experience.
• I will keep applying for roles.
Tell Grandma what you plan to do
Closing paragraph • I will audition for another role.
• I will try especially hard this time.
Informal/Friendly closing
Closing e.g., Your loving granddaughter,
Pat

Sample Essay

Dear Grandma,

I hope you’re well. We’re all looking forward to coming down to see you during the
summer holiday and I can’t wait to enjoy some of your home-style cooking. Last time I wrote,
I mentioned that I was going for a role in a University Playhouse production. I was hoping
very much to tell you that I was successful in getting the major role that I was aiming for but
sadly I missed out.

I went to the audition last week and I have to tell you that I have been seriously
deflated ever since I missed out as I was quietly confident of getting the role of Lady
Montague. I had carefully chosen this role because I thought I had a good chance of getting
the role of an older woman and you know Grandma that Lady Montague is Romeo’s mother. I
knew the director would choose a young beautiful actress for the role of Juliet and I
understood that there was no way I was going to get that role.

For weeks before I practised being an older woman and even learned some of the
lines that Lady Montague delivers in the play. To prepare, I tried very hard to be the strong
matriarch that Lady Montague is and thought that I wasn’t half bad before I went in.

In the end, the role was given to a very experienced, and I must say, very good,
elderly actress whom I suppose fitted the bill better than an 18-yerar-old youngster like me

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

trying hard to play the role of an old lady.

Anyhow Grandma, I have to put this behind me and learn from the experience. The
director was very nice and after rejecting me gave me a few words of advice and asked me not
to give up but to keep applying for other roles. He liked the way that I was able to pull off the
role of an older woman and told me that the actress who got the role was just so experienced
that I really didn’t stand a chance.

He said that the production house was going to stage Waiting for Godot later in the
year and that I should audition for a role. Now if I am successful Grandma, you will just have
to come and stay with us so that you can see me perform. I will try especially hard this time
so that this can happen. Wish me luck.

Your loving granddaughter,

Pat

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Part B Question 4

Topic Analysis

4. Learning English through Poems and Songs

Your English teacher has given you the following poem to read:

Father Forgive Them

By Brother Patrick Tierney

A little bird fell, limp,

into the school playground;
little angels gathered around
cautiously, curiously;
one broke the spell
and all joined in,
to stamp on and beat
the little bird,
to death.

The poem was written after a priest witnessed a cruel act by some children in a school
playground.

You are Pat Chan. Write an entry for your online blog saying how you feel after reading
the poem, what you like about the poem and whether or not you believe that the children
were cruel. You may give specific examples to support your views.

Your Role Pat Chan

Situation / Task
Your English teacher has given you a poem to read
Requirements
• What you like about the poem
Sub-topics • Whether or not you believe that the children were cruel
• Give specific examples to support your views
Text Type Blog entry
Target Audience The general public / The subscribers to Pat Chan’s blog
• Informal
Language and Tone
• Use the simple present tense to express opinions
Purpose of Writing To express feelings

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

born evil compassion conflicting cruel act

cruelty emotion environment evocative
herd instinct human nature impact instinct
limp mean observation power medium
pure stamp on temper value judgement

Writing Plan

Tell the reader that you have recently read a poem

e.g., Recently, I read a poem that had a great impact on me.
Introductory paragraph • It is just a short poem.
• It is called ‘Father Forgive Them’.
• It was written by Brother Patrick Tierney.
What you like about the poem
• There was something special about this poem.
• It is an evocative piece of writing.
Whether or not you think the children were cruel
Body paragraphs • Yes, they were cruel.
• No one checked if the bird was alive or dead.
• The students stamped on the bird simply because they
could.
• Perhaps they were evil in their past life and carry those
qualities with them in this life.
What did you think of the poem?
• It is very powerful.
Closing paragraph • The writer doesn’t make a value judgement.
• The writing is simply an observation, which makes it very
appealing.

Sample Essay

Poetry can be a very powerful medium just like the words of popular songs. I
especially like those songs that make you sit up and listen to the lyrics, which are mostly lost
on people who just get into the rhythm and beat. The words of a poem are just as powerful as
they have to be carefully read and the information absorbed. Recently, I read a poem that had
a great impact on me. It’s just a short poem and called ‘Father Forgive Them’ written by
Brother Patrick Tierney.

When I first read it, the words didn’t really sink in and I passed it up as something
that I shouldn’t think twice about. Some days later, something triggered me to read it again. I
guess there was something subliminal in the poetry so I re-read it and realized that it is a very
evocative piece of writing. My mind was full of emotion as to the cruelty of the supposed

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

‘angels’ who stamped on and beat the bird to death. ‘How could they do this?’ I asked myself.
Was it the herd instinct of the mob that ruled supreme? Could the poem be a reference to the
survival of the fittest?

Initially I couldn’t comprehend just how cruel these children could be and I wanted to
know what was going through these children’s minds. Did they do it because they could; i.e.,
they were bigger than the bird and could kill it if they wanted to? Did they do it because they
were born evil?

Then I started to think that perhaps they did this out of compassion. Maybe they
performed a humane act because the bird fell limp to the ground and was actually dying and
they were simply putting it out of its misery. Then I read the words again and saw the
reference to the bird being limp which doesn’t necessarily mean dead. The fact that no one
checked to see whether the bird was alive or dead reaffirmed my earlier thoughts that the
students did this without caring. So I decided that it wasn’t a compassionate act. Perhaps these
students were evil in their past life and they carry those bad qualities with them into this life.

The other interesting thing about the poem is that the writer doesn’t make a value
judgement but simply writes what he observed. The writing is very matter-of-fact and a
simple observation. Perhaps it’s this simplicity, which makes it so appealing in that, in just a
few words the poet has created lots of conflicting ideas and thoughts.

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Part B Question 5

Topic Analysis

5. Learning English through Debating

You have received a letter from your cousin, Alex, asking you for advice. Alex is
preparing for an inter-class debating contest. The debate will be on the motion that ‘Fast
food restaurants do more harm than good’. As the first speaker for the team, Alex has to
prepare arguments for the motion.

Write a reply letter to Alex giving advice on how he can prepare for the debate and what
he can use for his opening statements. You may also include some suggestions for
arguments, which he can use in the debate. Sign your letter ‘Chris’.

Your Role Chris

Situation / Task • You received a letter from your cousin, Alex
Requirements • He is preparing for an inter-class debating contest
Sub-topics Give advice on how Alex can prepare for the debate
Text Type Personal letter / Letter to give advice
Target Audience Alex (Chris’s cousin)
• Informal
• Use the simple present tense to express opinions
Language and Tone • Use modal verbs, conditional tenses and formulaic
expressions like ‘Why don’t you …?’, ‘Perhaps you
should …’ etc. to give advice or make suggestions
• To express opinions
Purpose of Writing
• To give advice

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

anticipate argue along the lines convincing counter

counter-argument defend define gather evidence
humour impressionable introductory address motion
opposition put forward quote relevant figures rehearse
research the topic rhetorical question shoot them down sum up

Writing Plan

Informal/Friendly greeting
Greeting
e.g., Dear Alex,
Tell Alex that you are glad to hear that he has taken up
Introductory paragraph
debating and say that you can give him some advice

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

e.g., Good to hear from you and learn that you’ve finally
taken up debating.
Give Alex advice
Research the topic on the Internet:
• If you do a quick Google search you’ll find all the
arguments you require.
• So getting your ‘facts’ won’t be difficult.
Anticipate what the opposition will say:
Body paragraphs • As the introductory speaker, you should try to anticipate
what the opposition will say, and quickly shoot them
down.
• The opposition may argue the case that if taken in
moderation, fast foods are okay.
• Fast food companies allocate huge advertising budgets to
convince impressionable young people to buy fast foods.
Remind Alex that his comments have to be powerful and he
Closing paragraph has to anticipate what the opposition will say and prepare
relevant and convincing counter-arguments
Informal/Friendly closing
Closing e.g., Best wishes,
Chris

Sample Essay

Dear Alex,

Good to hear from you and learn that you’ve finally taken up debating. Good for you,
from my experience you won’t look back as debating has helped me with my confidence,
public speaking and my English language.

I notice that your debating teachers have chosen quite a ‘soft’ topic. This topic has
been debated by almost every debating team around the world. Basically it’s about the value
of junk food and whether it’s good or bad for you.

You have the easier argument as there’s a lot of information out there that fast food is
junk food with very little nutritional value despite what the fast food companies claim. I think
that if you do a quick Google search, you’ll find all the arguments you require. So getting
your ‘facts’ won’t be difficult; the difficulty will be in the opposition arguing that if fast food
is junk food, why is it so popular?

If it were me, I would go in with all the facts from nutritionists who report that most
fast food is full of salt, sugar and unsaturated fats and lacking in vitamins and minerals. This
information is well documented. However, what you also need to do as the introductory
speaker is anticipate what the opposition will say, and quickly shoot them down. Of course

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

the opposition will argue the case that if taken in moderation, these foods are okay. They will
also argue that people have choices and the fact that fast foods are so popular indicates that
many people are exercising their right to choose by eating fast food. So Alex, you need to
counter this line of argument up front in your introductory address.

Perhaps you could make reference to the huge advertising budgets these companies
allocate to convincing impressionable young people to buy these foods. Many fast food
operators have ‘free’ giveaways and you might suggest that it’s the giveaways that attract
many young customers rather than the food.

You may also want to discuss why these companies are reluctant to list the nutritional
qualities of their food and why they are reluctant to introduce healthier items onto their menus.

Remember Alex, your comments have to be very powerful, they have to detail what
your other speakers will discuss and they have to counter the arguments of the opposition.

Best of luck, let me know how it goes.

Best wishes,
Chris

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Part B Question 6

Topic Analysis

6. Learning English through Short Stories

You were asked to read stories to children at a bookshop last week.

Write a report for your school magazine about your storytelling experience. Describe the
story/stories you told and what you did to make the experience enjoyable to the children.

Your Role —
• You were asked to read stories to children at a bookshop
Situation / Task
last week
Requirements
• Write a report for your school magazine
Write about your storytelling experience and describe the
Sub-topics
story/stories you told
Text Type Magazine article
Target Audience The magazine reader
• Informal/Semi-formal
Language and Tone
• Use the simple past tense to talk about past events
• To entertain
Purpose of Writing
• To inform

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

amusement audience costume distracted

facial expression fiction hand gesture imitate
listen attentively listen with great interest naughty nervous
pester raise my voice storytelling skill tale

Writing Plan

Write an appropriate title to attract readers’ attention

Title
e.g., Telling Tales Out of School
Give background information
• You were invited to read stories to children at a bookshop
last week
Introductory paragraph • Reason: business was a bit slow and the owner of the
bookshop thought it was a good idea
• Plan — to read simple primary school readers that are sold
in the bookshop
Describe the kinds of books you read
Body paragraphs • I read some popular cartoon books and short stories such
as Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland.

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• The most popular one was Circus Animals.

• It is a funny book and I was able to imitate the sound of
each circus animal.
What did you do to make the experience enjoyable to
children?
• I dressed up as a clown so that the kids would be attracted
to me.
• I hired a make-up artist to paint my face.
• We placed pillows on the floor so that the kids could sit
on them.
Was the activity successful?
• Yes, it was a huge success.
• Sales of adult books and kid’s books were up 25%.
Closing paragraph
• Because parents had time to look for books for
themselves.
• The owner will pay me for the next storytelling session.

Sample Essay

Telling Tales Out of School

Last weekend, I did something new and I want to share this experience with you. My
friend’s father, Mr. Lee, has a bookshop in Central and business has been a bit slow. So he
asked me for ideas on how to increase business. I suggested that I come and read storybooks
aloud to young people.

Mr. Lee thought it was a good idea, so he promoted these sessions within the shop
and also placed an advertisement in the paper. Mr. Lee knows that my English is good so the
plan was that I would read from some of the simple primary school readers that he sells.

Apparently, these books sell well as parents want to buy them so their kids can learn
English. The shop sales team figured that if I read stories to the kids, it would free the parents
so they could look for books that interested them.

It was decided that I read some popular cartoon books and children stories such as
Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland. I suggested that I should dress up as a clown so
that kids would naturally be attracted to this funny figure in the shop. A costume was hired
and a make-up artist made up my face so that I looked really funny. The store also bought in
pillows and placed them on the floor so that the kids were comfortable.

I was nervous at first as I thought the kids would be naughty but it turned out that
they were attentive. Everyone listened to me with great interest. The book I read from was on
discount and I was amazed at how well this worked. Many parents bought the book probably

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

because their kids pestered them. I would like to think they bought them because they liked
the way I read each book.

On the first day, I read from three books but I found that the most popular one was
Circus Animals by Julie Packard. It’s a funny book and I was able to imitate the sound of each
circus animal much to the amusement of the kids.

The weekend was a huge success as Mr. Lee told me that sales were up 25% on a
normal weekend and surprisingly it was adult books that outsold kid’s books. Mr. Lee thinks
it was because the parents had time to look for books for themselves while their kids were
distracted.

Mr. Lee is planning another weekend of book reading soon but this time he will pay
me. This is yet another example of how reading pays.

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

Part B Question 7

Topic Analysis

7. Learning English through Popular Culture

‘Many gamers believe that violent video games have little influence on young people
because 42% of the gamers nowadays are over the age of 18.’

Write an argumentative essay in which you EITHER strongly support this statement OR
strongly disagree with it.

Your Role —
Write an argumentative essay on the following topic: ‘Many
Situation / Task gamers believe that violent video games have little influence
Requirements on young people because 42% of the gamers nowadays are
over the age of 18.’
Either strongly support this statement or strongly disagree with
Sub-topics
it
Text Type Argumentative essay
Target Audience The general public
• Formal
Language and Tone
• Use the simple present tense to express opinions
Purpose of Writing To express opinions

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

aggression aggressive anger anti-social behaviour

commit contributing factor correlation harmful
hostile imitate impact negative effects
occurrence player psychology regulation
senseless sociologist violent act violent thought

Writing Plan

Tell the reader what your stance is — whether you strongly

support or disagree with the statement
• Studies have shown that violent video games lead to
Introductory paragraph aggression among those who play the games.
• It may be true that 42% of the gamers nowadays are older
than 18 years old.
• 58% of the gamers are young people below 18 years old.
State your viewpoints on this topic
Body paragraphs
• Some video games openly encourage killing or maiming

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of others.
• They encourage anti-social behaviour and acts of
violence.
What will your opponent say?
• Those who produce these video games may defend their
games by saying that …
• People could be violent and aggressive for any number of
reasons.
• Video games are a form of entertainment only.
Counter-arguments
• Studies have found that gamers who prefer violent video
games have more violent thoughts.
• They are less sensitive to the pain and suffering of other
people.
• They are more likely to commit violent acts.
• There is no watchdog that monitors video games.
• If it is deemed inappropriate to screen gratuitous violence
Closing paragraph
and explicit sex scenes on television and in the movies,
then the same rules should apply to video games.

Sample Essay

Video games form an important part of many people’s lives. Sociologists have
conducted endless studies to investigate the impact of violent video games on young people
and to study the relationship between violent video games and an increasing occurrence of
violence in some societies. According to studies, those who prefer violent video games have
more violent thoughts and are more likely to commit violent acts. There is no doubt that
violent video games lead to aggression among those who play the games. While it maybe true
that 42% of the gamers nowadays are older than 18, and therefore supposedly able to act
responsibly as adults, the fact remains that the majority of the gamers (58%) are young people
below 18 years old.

What worries me most is that many of the games openly encourage the killing or
maiming of others, stereotyping of various community groups and the encouragement of anti-
social behaviour and acts of violence. Many researchers have investigated recent major acts of
school violence that have led to deaths and have concluded that many of the perpetrators have
been boys whose favourite pastime was playing violent video games. This should sound alarm
bells to any caring person in society.

Those who produce these video games may defend their games by saying that people
can be violent and aggressive for any number of reasons. Video games are only a form of
entertainment. People play violent video games simply because they enjoy them, and they do
not copy the violent acts they see in the games. However, studies have found that people who

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prefer violent video games have more violent thoughts. They are less sensitive to the pain and
suffering of others and they are more likely to commit violent acts than those who do not play
violent video games.

Honestly, I think there is enough evidence to suggest that there is a link between
violent video games and aggressive behaviour amongst some people in society. Take the
infamous Columbine High School murders as an example. Violent video games were thought
to be one of the contributing factors in these senseless murders. The two murderers’ favourite
video game is ‘Doom’, which is a bloody shooting game that is licensed to the US military to
train soldiers to kill effectively.

While we have laws in Hong Kong and other places to monitor and guard against the
screening of violence and explicitly sexual behaviour in cinemas, on television, on the radio
and in books and magazines, there is no watchdog that monitors video games. If it is deemed
inappropriate to screen gratuitous violence and explicit sex scenes on television and in the
movies, then the same rules should apply to video games. I feel that there needs to be stricter
regulation regarding the availability of violent video games to young people.

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Part B Question 8

Topic Analysis

8. Learning English through Workplace Communication

‘Hard work is the key to success’. Is there any truth in this statement?

Write a magazine article stating whether you agree or disagree with this statement. Give
your article a title.

Your Role —
• You have been asked to write a magazine article
Situation / Task
• You have to express your viewpoints on ‘Hard work is
Requirements
the key to success’
• Supply supporting examples
Sub-topics
• Give your article a title
Text Type Magazine article
Target Audience The general public
• Formal/Semi-formal
Language and Tone
• Use the simple present tense to express opinions
• To express opinions
Purpose of Writing
• To entertain

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

adverse situation challenging cornerstone desire for success

destiny develop full potential embrace technology enthusiasm
essential extraordinary failure focus
knowledgeable networking progress street smart
strive for excellence succeed transform

Writing Plan

Write an appropriate title to attract readers’ attention

Title
e.g., Learning from Your Elders
Give background information
Make your stance clear to the reader (e.g., whether or not you
agree with the statement ‘Hard work is the key to success’)
Introductory paragraph
• The key to success is hard work.
• ‘One percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent
perspiration.’
You can use your personal experience in the writing
Body paragraphs
• My granddad / My parents worked very hard in the old

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days.
Mention that employers look for people who are willing to
work hard
Reasons:
• Hard work helps people develop their full potential and
strive for excellence.
• Hard-working people are better prepared to face adverse
situations.
• Hard work helps an ordinary person become
extraordinary.
Closing paragraph • Hard work is the cornerstone to success.

Sample Essay

Learning from Your Elders

You’ve probably been in a similar situation to the one I was yesterday. I was chatting
to my wise old grandfather. Unlike some people, I have no trouble talking to my grandfather.
We were discussing my iPad that I had just bought and were talking about how technology
impacts society. Granddad is like that; he can talk about anything and he is quite
knowledgeable. One thing led to another and he asked me how the iPad was going to help me
in life. I replied that to succeed, I had to embrace such technology. He agreed but also offered
some advice. He said that the key to success is hard work and that this is what helped him
become a successful businessman. ‘One percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.’
he quoted the famous saying from Thomas Edison, an American inventor, and concluded that
the only way to achieve success is through hard work.

He related how he grew up and how he first started helping his parents by collecting
bits of old paper. Granddad told me that recycling actually started decades ago and that he
was one of the many kids who earned money by collecting waste to sell. Each afternoon he
spent hours scouring the streets collecting paper. After that, my granddad went home to do his
homework. This was hard work he said, as electricity was limited, and he and his four
brothers huddled around one small light for two hours to do their work. He then told me that
the family had no money for him to continue his education, so he went out to work at 15. Just
to survive he held down two jobs but he said that through hard work, he was able to save
enough money to set up an outlet where he bought scrap paper from kids.

From this, he then started collecting other scrap products like metals well before it
was fashionable to recycle. He had a vision that it would be cheaper to recycle than to
produce and he was correct. Because he wasn’t educated, he had to work long and hard for
every dollar. Granddad said that he had to be street smart too, to stay ahead of the competition.

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Now, my granddad owns the biggest recycling plant in China, and his company is currently
listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

According to my granddad, employers like him look for people who are willing to
work hard because hard work helps people develop their full potential and strive for
excellence. Hard-working people are better prepared to face adverse situations. He said
that hard work helped an ordinary person like him to become extraordinary. He concluded
that no matter what, hard work is the cornerstone to success. Why is it that I always agree
with my wise old grandfather?

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Part B Question 9

Topic Analysis

9. Learning English through Social Issues

You suspect that your neighbours are abusing their children.

Write a letter to the Social Welfare Department explaining your concern and give details
of any incidents you are aware of. Sign your name ‘Chris Wong’. Do not write an
address.

Your Role Chris Wong

Situation / Task • You suspect that your neighbours are abusing their children
Requirements • Write a letter to the Social Welfare Department
• Explain your concern
• Give details of any incidents you are aware of
Sub-topics • Suggest what could be done to protect the welfare of the
children
• Say why these measures are urgent
Text Type Formal letter
Target Audience The government officials at the Social Welfare Department
• Formal
Language and Tone • Use the simple present tense to express personal views
• Use the simple past tense to talk about past incidents
• To report
Purpose of Writing
• To urge the reader to take action

Topic-related Vocabulary and Phrases

black eye bruise caretaker child abuse

child protection civic duty crying cut
depressed downcast embarrassed eye contact
immediate danger injury mandatory neglect
none of my business screaming serious harm shy
typically upset

Writing Plan

Formal greeting
Greeting
e.g., Dear Sir,

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Effective Exam Practice for the HKDSE (Paper 2 Writing) Set 8

State the purpose of writing

e.g., While some may argue that it’s none of my business, I
Introductory paragraph feel that it is my civic duty to inform you of what I
suspect to be a case of child abuse.
Express your concern
Give details of any incidents that you are aware of
• I hear continual screaming and crying.
• Sometimes, the crying doesn’t stop for hours.
Body paragraphs • The child always looks depressed and has tears in her
eyes.
• She rarely makes eye contact.
• I mostly see her by herself without her parents.
Urge the reader to help / take action
• Could someone check on the girl before something more
Closing paragraph serious occurs?
• Please call my mobile phone so that I can provide the
address.
Formal closing
Closing e.g., Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong

Sample Essay

Dear Sir,

While some may argue that it is none of my business, I feel that it is my civic duty to
inform you of what I suspect to be a case of child abuse. I am not a busybody but I remember
seeing an advertisement that the Social Welfare Department placed in the newspapers
informing the public that it is our duty to report suspected cases of child abuse and that for
certain people in the community like teachers, that it is mandatory.

My suspicions were aroused by the continual screaming and crying that I hear coming
from my neighbour’s apartment. They have a three-year-old girl and having had children
myself, I know that they can be naughty, and can make a lot of noise. Initially I thought that
the girl was screaming for joy but now I think it is really pain, as every time it ends with
crying. Sometimes, the crying does not stop for hours.

Lately I have noticed that the child always looks depressed and has tears in her eyes
every time I see her. She rarely makes eye contact and I thought that she is simply shy. But
now I mostly see her by herself without the parents and I have started to think that something
is wrong.

Usually whenever I see the parents, they never look happy and on more than one
occasion, I have heard the father raise his voice and scream at both the mother and the child.

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It all became clear the other day when I saw the little girl alone in the garden below our
condominium. It is unusual to see children this young alone, so I smiled at her and tried to
start up a conversation. She did not look me in the eye but when I persevered I noticed that
she had a black eye.

Suspecting that something was wrong I talked around the subject but she simply said
she fell over when I asked what happened. It was not a confident answer and now I am
worried that she was hit by one of the parents. This is the first time I have seen an injury but I
think the situation is getting worse and that experts need to intervene to make sure that all is
okay.

Could someone check on the girl before something more serious occurs? Please
contact my mobile phone so that I can provide the address.

Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong

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