K.E.L.Y. T.O. APPROVED.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination

AS-Level - Use of English
Section B – Writing topics 1989-2009

Year 1989

1. Opportunities to use English in Hong Kong are many, but few young people take
advantage of them. Propose a scheme whereby students from certain classes in
your school might exchange visits and participate in activities with native
English-speaking students in a school nearby. Address your proposal to the teacher
in charge of the English Club in your school, outlining your ideas and pointing out
the mutual benefits that could result if they were tried out.

Sign your proposal ‘C.C.Chan’. Do NOT use your real name.

2. ‘Study in sunny Australia’, says an AUSTRADE advertisement on the wall of the

MTR. You are interested. Do both tasks below:

Write to the Education Marketing Officer at the Australian Trade

Commission seeking more details about universities and colleges that offer
places to foreign students.

Following your enquiries to several possible institutions, one of them

forwards you an application form requesting that you complete it and send it
back together with a handwritten explanatory statement about yourself,
giving your reasons for wanting to go to Australia (rather than the U.K. for
example), and your expectations of the course you have selected. Write this
statement.

Sign the letter and the statement ‘D.K.Poon’. Do NOT use your real name.

3. Speaker A: Freedom is the right to disagree.

Speaker B: True. But it's sometimes better for everyone if you keep quiet.

Consider the point of view of both speakers. Write a discussion essay in which
you draw on experiences from your own life to illustrate the need to sometimes
‘speak up’ or ‘shut up’.

4. You have been offered two jobs: one is that of a trainee supermarket manager (low
pay, boring work, good prospects, and good terms of employment): the other is as a
factory manager in your uncle's garment factory (low pay, interesting Work,
uncertain prospects, possible family privileges).

Write a letter to an older brother (now living in Canada), who has often given you
good advice in the past. Describe the two jobs, express your opinions and ask him
to help you make the right choice.

Sign your letter ‘Chris’. DO NOT use your real name.

Year 1990

1. Alan: I've just signed up to participate in the ‘Help the Aged’ Project. I did it last
year as well and found it an enjoyable and fruitful experience. Are you
involved in any voluntary work?
Betty: Of course I am even though I don't particularly like it, and do you know
why I do it? It's because you always have to say that you've done some
voluntary work when you go for an interview either for a job or for
university.
Alan: Oh, that's not why I signed up.

You have just overhead these two students talking. Write an article for the school
English magazine discussing the two different points of view expressed in the
conversation, and also giving your own views.

Sign the article ‘C.C.Chan’ Do NOT use your real name. Do NOT write any
address.

2. In a recent debate in your school, the topic of environmental pollution was raised.
Two main views emerged. One was that restrictions on pollution will harm the
present and future prosperity of Hong Kong. The other was that if restrictions are
not enforced soon, people's health will be badly affected.

Write an essay discussing these two opposing views and trying to suggest a
reasonable way forward.

3. Your principal has asked you to organize an end-of-term exhibition for your school.
The theme is ‘Be a Blood Donor’. Write a letter to all senior students in the school.
In your letter, try hard to persuade them to volunteer to help with the exhibition. In
addition to persuading them by giving reasons why they should assist you, give
them some indication of what you are planning for the exhibition.

Sign the letter ‘H.K.Wong’. Do NOT use your real name. Do NOT write any
address.

4. You have received letters from two friends who are studying at overseas
universities. One of them is really enjoying herself. The other one hates
everything about life at his university.

You are caught in a dilemma because you have the opportunity to make your own
decision: whether to stay in Hong Kong and study in one of Hong Kong's
universities, or go overseas to study.

Write a letter to someone you trust discussion your dilemma and indicating what
your feelings are at the moment.

Sign the letter ‘Chris’. Do NOT use your real name. Do NOT write any address.
Year 1991

1. The pressures of life are forcing Hong Kong people to forget their traditional roles
by neglecting their old people. Discuss this issue with reference to the care of old
people in Hong Kong.

2. Recent statistics demonstrate that crime, particularly armed robbery, is on the

increase in Hong Kong. Attempt to account for this increase in the crime rate.

3. “Animals deserve to be treated with the same consideration and care as human
beings.” Consider the arguments for and/or against this assertion.

4. Some people say that certain pop and film ‘stars’ do not provide good role models
for the younger generation. However, others maintain that these stars have the
right to privacy, and that what they do in their private life is no business of the
public. Support OR counter the view that ‘stars’ in Hong Kong have the duty to
provide a good example of behaviour for young people. Give reasons for your
opinion.

Year 1992

1. There is evidence that, because of relatively low salaries, newly-qualified

doctors are reluctant to work in government hospitals. They can earn much more
in private practice.

Some doctors defend the freedom of all doctors to choose their own place of
work. Other people argue that the government should intervene to decide where
newly-qualified doctors should, as is the case in some Southeast Asian countries.

Discuss these different viewpoints, giving reasons why you agree or disagree.

2. Japanese workers are said to work very long hours. In many companies, workers
are reluctant to take holidays, unless they are ordered to do so. When they do
take a vacation, it is usually organized by their company and they are usually
accompanied by their fellow workers.

Briefly, give your own views about the Japanese work ethic and their attitude to
holidays as described above. Then discuss the attitudes and practices of Hong
Kong people with regard to recreation and leisure, and how they compare with
Japanese attitudes and practices.

3. The City Polytechnic and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
have been established recently in Hong Kong. Write an article to be published in
the ‘Young Post’ supplement of the South China Morning Post or the ‘Education’
supplement of The Standard.

Give your views about the advantages and disadvantages of studying at a very
new institution rather than at one of the older institutions, such as The University
of Hong Kong or The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
4. The pressure of studies and examinations places a great load on young people as
they grow up and develop. Some say that schoolwork is so important that
romantic relationships between boys and girls should wait until after Form 7.
Others say that a healthy romantic relationship between two young people can be
of great benefit to both of them. Write an essay for the school's English
Magazine discussing these conflicting views. End your essay by giving your own
opinion. Finally, as a suggestion for the editor of the English Magazine, provide
a title for your article.

Year 1993

1. The pop star Anita Mui (梅艷芳) sometimes plays the role of a strong, aggressive
and dominant woman during her performance on stage. Discuss, with reasons, the
extent to which you think this is a role which young women and men can accept,
and young women should imitate.

2. Imagine that the government has announced that it has a surplus of $8 billion
because of unexpectedly good trading and revenue collection figures. The
Governor has stated he wants to hear the views of young people in Hong Kong as
to how the extra revenue should be spent. Write a letter, advising the Governor
how the unexpected billions should be allocated in at least three different policy
areas. State what your priorities are and provide full reasons for your proposals.
Sign your letter ‘C. C. Wong’.

3. One of the most popular types of film in Hong Kong deals with local gangsters
(or ‘triads’). Some people claim that the portrayal of triad leaders in these films as
attractive, glamorous personalities is not only misleading to young people but
actually harmful. Explain briefly why these films are popular and discuss, with
reasons, whether or not you think the claims are correct.

4. In recent years articles have appeared regularly in newspapers proposing that car
ownership should be restricted in Hong Kong. Write a letter to a local English
language newspaper arguing against any such proposals. Sign your name
‘L.K.Chan’.

Year 1994

1. You are Chris Wong, the Editor of the school's new English Club Magazine. You
have received a letter from a student called John Lee. In the letter, the student has
complained about certain points in the first edition of the magazine. They are:

poor quality photographs,

not enough students have been involved in the production of the magazine,

the inclusions of two articles which the student feels are of no interest to the
students in your school (one on politics, the other about mountain climbing).

Reply to John Lee accepting one of the complaints and saying what you intend to
do about it, but rejecting the other two, giving reasons why you have rejected
them. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong (Editor)’. Do not write any address.
2. In Hong Kong it seems to be common for people to think very highly of
expensive brand-name clothes and fashion accessories (e.g. bags and shoes). This
is true of students as well as adults.

Explain why many Hong Kong people think this way. Say whether you feel that
this is a good or bad trend for students to follow. Give reasons for your opinions.

3. Under a new scheme proposed by the Education Department, Cantonese-speaking

students from other Asian countries are being encouraged to come to Hong Kong
for one-year period during which they will live with Hong Kong families and
study in Hong Kong schools. You and your family have been selected to host one
of these students who will attend your school and enter Form six in September
1994.

Write a letter to the students (whose name is Jackie) suggesting how he/she can
use the one-year school experience to the fullest advantage both educationally and
socially. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’. Do not write any address.

4. Comic books are probably the most popular form of reading material for young
people in Hong Kong. Write an essay on comic books which deal with ALL
following points:

why these books are so popular,

the advantages and disadvantages of reading such books,

how comic books can be used for educational purposes.

Justify your views by providing reasons.

Year 1995

1. Many people think that sex education is important. Discuss why this topic is
neglected in Hong Kong, the dangers of ignoring it, and how sex education can
best be provided for young people.

2. There has been much discussion recently of falling standards of discipline in

schools. Write an article for your school newspaper discussing the issue. Give
your opinion as to whether there should be more or less discipline in your school.
Support your views with reasoned arguments.

If you wish to refer to the name of your school, use the name ‘Hong Kong
College’. Do NOT use the real name of your school.

3. Your best friend is studying in a university in Vancouver. He is a member of a

rock and roll band which has become very successful, earning a lot of money. His
parents are very worried about the effect of this on his studies. He has decided that
he must choose either to spend all his time on the band and his music, or give up
the band completely and concentrate fully on his studies.

He has written to you asking for your views. Write to him giving your advice,
providing at least three good reasons to support that advice. Sign your letter
‘Chris’. Do NOT write any address.
4. Many young married couples now choose not to have children, even though their
parents put them under great pressure to have children. Explain why this conflict
occurs between these couples and their parents. State whether you agree with the
views of the young couples or with those of their parents. Justify your opinions
with logical arguments.

Year 1996

1. When the ‘new towns’ in the New Territories, such as Tuen Mun and Ma On Shan,
were first planned, it was intended that they should provide a new way of life for
their inhabitants. It was expected that these new towns would be similar to Hong
Kong Island and Kowloon in the provision of facilities, and work and educational
opportunities.

You believe that these expectations have not been fulfilled. Write a letter to the
Editor of the Young Post saying why you feel that the new towns have not been
successful. Suggest what the government should do to improve the situation. Sign
your letter ‘Chris Wong’.

2. Recent reports have stated that more young people in Hong Kong are overweight
and unfit than ever before. Health experts are becoming worried about the life
styles of young people who do less exercise than they should and who have an
unbalanced diet.

Write an article for your school magazine giving reasons for this problem and
suggesting how young people can improve their fitness. In your article, try to
persuade the students in your school to adopt a healthier life style.

3. Since the introduction of Advanced Supplementary level (AS-level) subjects, there

have been comments by some educational professionals about the need to broaden
the sixth-form curriculum. It has been proposed that all sixth formers should take
four AS-level subjects (including Use of English and Chinese Language and
Culture) and two A-levels instead of two AS-levels and three A-levels.

Write an essay on this topic. Discuss whether it is desirable to broaden the

sixth-form curriculum. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal,
ending your essay by giving your own opinion.

4. It is common in Hong Kong secondary schools for older students to tutor younger
students in schemes organized by the schools. Your school has such a scheme, but
there is a shortage of tutors. You are the Head Girl/Boy of your school. Your
principal has asked you to write a letter to all sixth formers persuading them to
join the scheme as tutors.

In your letter, discuss the tutor system, mention its difficulties, but emphasize the
benefits of the scheme for both the tutors and the younger students. Sign your
letter ‘Chris Wong’.
Year 1997

1. You are taking part in an essay competition organized by Oxfam, an international

charitable organization.

Write an essay entitled ‘Poverty in the world’. Give reasons for the problem of
poverty, and suggest various ways in which governments and charities can help
poor people.

2. A recent survey has indicated that more and more Chinese people in Hong Kong
have English first names.

Write an article entitled ‘English Names’ for your school magazine. Explain why
English first names have become so popular, and evaluate the advantages and
disadvantages of using English first names in Hong Kong.

3. Your school Sports Club aims to encourage more students to participate in sports.
You are Chris Wong, the secretary of the Sports Club. Write a letter to Pat Chan,
the chairperson of the Past Students’ Association (P.S.A.), requesting its support
to promote a particular sport among the students.

In your letter, states which sport the Sports Club wants to promote, give reasons
why this particular sport has been chosen, and suggest different ways in which the
P.S.A. can help. (Do not write any address.)

4. More and more Hong Kong people are going on holiday to foreign destinations
such as Japan, Thailand and Australia.

Write an article for your school newspaper on the topic ‘Overseas Holidays’. Give
reasons why overseas holidays are popular among Hong Kong people, and
compare the benefits of travelling abroad to staying in Hong Kong during
holidays.

Year 1998

1. Tourism in Hong Kong has suffered badly since the latter half of 1997. Write a
letter to the Editor of the Young Post giving at least one reason for this decline.
Then suggest three possible ideas which might help to promote tourism in Hong
Kong in the future.

Address your letter to The Editor, Young Post, P.O. Box 323, Tai Po, N.T. Do
NOT use your own address. Use the following address: Flat 9C, Hong Kong
Building, 20 Cannon Street, Causeway Bay. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.

2. Write an essay agreeing OR disagreeing with the following statement. ‘The best
place to master computer skills is outside school, not in the classroom.’ Justify
your views, and give your essay a title.
3. Your Principal has banned the use of pagers in the school. You are the Head
Prefect and have received complaints from some of your classmates about the ban.

Write an article for the school newspaper explaining why the ban has been
imposed. Provide not less than three reasons, with supporting arguments, for the
ban. Give your article a title.

4. Many of your friends attend tutorial schools. Your teachers, however, feel that
attending such schools is highly undesirable. Your class teacher has told you to
write an essay discussing the pros and cons of attending tutorial schools.

Write the essay, and at the end state your personal view, providing justification for
your opinion. Give your essay a title.

Year 1999

1. You are taking part in an essay competition organized by the United Nations. The
title of the essay is ‘World peace and international understanding in the 21st
century’.

Write the essay. State briefly why world peace is important, and suggest three
ways in which young people can help to promote international understanding.

2. Your English teacher has explained to your class that learning to construct a
strong argument against a popular belief is a good way of developing your
argumentative writing skills.

Since most people believe that a university education is essential for a successful
life, your teacher has asked you to write an essay entitled ‘A university education
is not essential for success’. Write the essay, developing three or four good
arguments that strongly support the statement.

3. Last year, some universities in Hong Kong admitted a number of students because
of their achievements in non-academic areas such as sports, music, the performing
arts and community service, although they did not meet normal university entry
requirements.

Write an article for the school magazine discussing arguments both for and against
such an admissions policy. End the article by providing your own opinion on the
issue. Give your article a title.

4. You have a friend, Terry, who lives in Canada. Usually, she does not go to the
theatre or the cinema, saying it is a waste of time and money. Recently, you have
seen a number of plays and films and were very impressed by one of these.

Write a letter to Terry, explaining why you liked this particular play or film and
suggesting that she should see it. In your letter, concentrate on persuading her to
see the play or film. Discuss at least three strong reasons why it is worthwhile to
do so. Sign your letter ‘Chris’. Do NOT write any address.
Year 2000

1. Unlike many other places in Asia, e.g. Japan and Korea, Hong Kong provides
numerous opportunities for students to use English outside school. Write an article
for the school magazine suggesting at least three ways in which students can use
English outside school. Explain how this will benefit students. Give your article a
title.

2. ‘The mobile telephone is the most annoying, unnecessary and time-wasting device
ever invented’. Write an essay in which you strongly support this statement.
Provide at least three reasons in support of your argument. Give your essay a title.

3. In Europe and North America, it is quite common for students to work full time for
one year before entering university. Recently, some employers and educationalists
have suggested that Form 7 graduates in Hong Kong should do the same.

Write an article for the school newspaper providing arguments for and against this
suggestion. End the article by giving your own opinion. Give your article a title.

3. Last year your school spent a lot of money on upgrading its IT (information
technology), computer and sports facilities. This year the Principal, Mrs. Chan,
has asked the Student Association to provide suggestions for improvements in
OTHER areas.

As Chairperson of the Student Association, write to Mrs. Chan proposing three

changes to improve the quality of education in the school. Give detailed reasons
for the proposed changes. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’. Do not write any
address.

Year 2001

1. You have learnt that, in some schools, younger students are being beaten up and
bullied by older students. Write an article for your school newspaper about this
issue. Discuss the seriousness of the problem of bullying in schools, and propose
three ways of dealing with it.

2. Christmas celebrations have now become very popular in China. In many large
cities, shopping malls are full of tall Christmas trees and men dressed as Santa
Claus. Write an essay EITHER for OR against the proposition that ‘Christmas
should not be celebrated in China because it is a foreign custom’. Give reasons for
your views.

3. In many parts of the world, it is very common for couples to live together before
they decide to get married. Write an essay discussing BOTH the positive and
negative aspects of living together before marriage. Give your own opinion about
this issue.
4. Recently, there have been news reports suggesting that, as in many other societies,
there is discrimination against minority groups in our community (e.g. Filipinos,
Indians, new immigrants and so on). Write a letter to the South China Morning
Post discussing this issue, and suggest three ways in which multicultural
understanding and racial harmony can be promoted in Hong Kong.

Address your letter to The Editor, South China Morning Post, GPO Box 47, Hong
Kong. Do NOT use your own address. Use the following address: Flat 8A, 321
High Street, Hong Kong. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.

Year 2002

1. If you could make three improvements in the life of your family, what would they
be? Write an essay on this topic. In your essay you should state what these three
improvements would be and explain why your suggestions would help make your
family life better.

2. ‘Because so much information is available on the Internet today, traditional

secondary schools and teachers are no longer necessary.’ Do you agree or disagree
with this statement? Write an essay on this topic, stating your opinion and
supporting it with at least three reasons.

3. In recent years, Hong Kong film makers and actors have become popular all over
the world. Write an article on this topic for your school magazine. Discuss the
reasons for the popularity of Hong Kong film makers and actors, and for the
international success of Hong Kong movies. Give your article a title.

4. Many young couples these days are choosing not to have children. What do you
think of this choice? Write an essay on this topic, stating your personal view and
giving reasons for your opinion.

Year 2003

1. Is it ever right for a country to fight a war? Write an essay on this topic, stating
your opinion and supporting it with at least three reasons.

2. ‘Music, art and literature are of more value to the world than science and
technology.’ Write an essay in which you EITHER strongly support this statement
OR strongly disagree with this statement. Provide at least three reasons in support
of your opinion.

3. If you were free to choose, would you stay in Hong Kong or live in another part of
the world? Write an article for your school newspaper in which you state what you
like or would like about living in the place you choose.

Give the article a title. If you choose another part of the world, state clearly the
name of the city or country.
4. Some employers in Hong Kong have stated that they prefer to employ Hong Kong
people who have graduated from local universities rather than those who have
graduated from overseas universities. Do you think that a degree from a university
in Hong Kong is better or worse than a degree from a university overseas? Write a
letter to the South China Morning Post giving your opinion and discussing the
issue.

Address your letter to The Editor, South China Morning Post, PO Box 323, Tai Po,
N.T. Do NOT use your own address. Use the following address: Flat 9C, Hong
Kong Building, 20 Cannon Street, Causeway Bay. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.

Year 2004

1. Your school has received a donation of HK$1,000,000 and can spend it EITHER
on one more MMLC (Multi-Media Learning Centre) OR on employing one more
NET (Native English-speaking Teacher) for two years.

As Chairperson of the Student Association, you have collected a variety of

opinions from your schoolmates. Write a letter to your principal summarizing
their different views for and against each option and making a recommendation on
their behalf. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’. Do not write any address.

2. Your school has decided to take part in a voluntary work project in one of two
major areas: helping EITHER poor elderly people OR primary schoolchildren
newly arrived from the mainland. Your class teacher is collecting opinions from
the class in the form of essays written by the students.

Write your own essay, outlining your personal preference and stating at least three
reasons to support your choice. Give your essay a title.

3. Your friend, Lucy Lau, has won a major singing competition and has been offered
a recording contract. She has also been offered a place at the police training
school to become a policewoman. She cannot decide which offer to accept and has
written to ask your advice.

Write a letter in reply advising her to accept the place as a police cadet and giving
reasons why you feel that this would be a better career choice for her. Sign your
letter ‘Chris Wong’. Do not write any address.

4. Many teenagers have been strongly affected by advertisements promoting

slimming products and programmes. Some now believe that they have to be slim
to be beautiful and go to extreme and unreasonable lengths in an attempt to lose
weight. You have just attended a talk on ‘Health and Beauty’ organized by the
Department of Health. At the talk, a medical doctor, a social worker and an
ex-patient recovering from an eating disorder spoke about the issue, drawing on
their expertise and experience.

Write an article for your school newspaper sharing what you learnt from each of
the three speakers. Give your article a title.
Year 2005

1. At an inter-class sporting event your team became involved in a dispute which led
to an outbreak of fighting with the opposing team. You witnessed the entire
incident and do not agree with your principal’s decision to expel two of your
classmates.

Write a letter to the principal, Ms Lam, to explain how the fight arose and to ask
for understanding and leniency with regard to your classmates’ conduct. Suggest
an alternative punishment and outline the most useful lesson students can draw
from this experience. You can base the incident on any team sport with which you
are familiar. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.

2. There has recently been an increase in the number of Secondary 6 students

granted early admission to university on the basis of their outstanding Hong Kong
Certificate of Education Examination results. Write an article for your school
newspaper from your perspective as a Secondary 7 student. Give your views as to
the benefits and drawbacks of the Early Admissions Scheme for secondary
schools, for Secondary 6 students who have been admitted, and for students doing
the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.

3. You are a reporter for a travel magazine which has just conducted a survey to
collect opinions about Hong Kong from visiting Mainland tourists. Write an
article giving a broad outline of the survey results. You should report on the
tourists’ impressions of Hong Kong and Hong Kong people, including the
negative as well as the positive aspects. Also suggest measures that can be taken
by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to enhance Hong Kong’s competitive edge as
an attractive attraction for Mainland tourists.

4. A Hong Kong radio station has recently started a programme to help young people
solve their emotional problems. You called the radio programme host, Ms Wong,
to tell her about a serious interpersonal problem that had been troubling you a lot.
She offered you some advice, which you followed, but the outcome turned out to
be disastrous.

Based on this experience, write a letter to the Editor of a youth magazine

questioning the quality of the advice offered by radio programme hosts who do not
have professional qualifications in counselling. Share your views about the
usefulness and dangers of such programmes. Suggest ways in which young people
can get good advice. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.

Year 2006

1. ‘Korean influences have swept through Asian consumer markets including Hong
Kong, and the younger generation in particular seems to have fallen in love with
Korean culture. Korean TV drama series, movie stars and pop idols, fashion, and
computer and electronic products have taken over the local market.’

Write an essay based on your observations, for example of your friends and family,
showing how much evidence there is to support or disprove the above statement.
2. Your school principal has told the tuck shop to stop selling ‘junk food’, such as
fish balls and soft drinks, in response to the government’s campaign to promote
healthy eating. However, this policy has evoked a strong reaction from some
students who insist on their right to exercise freedom of choice.

You are a reporter for the school newspaper and have just attended a meeting
between the principal and representatives of parents, teachers and students. Write
an article for the school newspaper describing the viewpoints and arguments of
the different parties. Give your article a title.

3. The government has successfully convicted a person of infringing copyright. The

person had used internet technology to upload movies and allow other users to
download them.

You are a computer enthusiast and you often download music and movies. Write a
letter to the editor of the Young Post commenting on the rights and wrongs of
downloading entertainment from the internet and whether you think people will
continue to break the law when they risk being prosecuted. Sign your letter ‘Chris
Wong’. Do not write any address.

4. You are the chairperson of the school hiking club. Recently there have been
several reports of accidents that have happened to people hiking on their own in
remote areas.

Write an article for your school newspaper offering advice to students on safety
measures that they need to take when hiking and what they should do in case of an
emergency. Give your article a title.

Year 2007

1. You suspect that your neighbours are treating their pets badly. Write a letter to the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) showing your concern
and give details of any incidents of abuse you are aware of. Suggest what could be
done to ensure the welfare of the pets and say why these measures are urgent. Sign
your name ‘Chris Wong’.

2. Last year, you took part in an overseas cultural exchange programme. One
objective of the programme was to introduce some characteristics of your own
culture to students from other countries. Another objective was to learn how
practices in other cultures differ significantly from yours. You found this
experience rewarding and you want to share what you learned with your fellow
students.

Write an article for your school magazine describing one or two features of your
culture that you focused on and explain why. Also describe how the feature(s) you
chose differ(s) from what happens in other cultures.
3. ‘When teen idols get married they often become less popular with their fans.’ Is
there any truth in this view? Based on your knowledge and observations of the
entertainment industry over recent years, write a magazine article stating whether
you agree or disagree with this comment. Give at least three reasons for your
position and supply supporting examples. You can refer to local or international
idols. Give your article a title.

4. In your hosing estate, a gang of criminals has been tricking old people into giving
them money. On behalf of the Owners’ Association of the estate, write to the
Hong Kong Post about an incident that took place recently. Describe how the old
person was tricked, what the victim lost, and explain some of the measures your
association has taken to protect people from being tricked in future. Sign your
name ‘Chris Wong’.

Year 2008

1. Students often access Internet blogs and social network sites so that they can share
their views in a public forum. However, there are dangers in giving too many
personal details. Write an essay to be published on your school website about this
dilemma with reference to one experience you had when using the Internet.
Discuss what should be made public and what should remain private, making
clear your views on how the freedom to say what you want can be balanced with
protecting your own and other people’s privacy. Give your essay a title.

2. Your school has invited three professionals – an architect, a film director and an
environmental consultant – to speak at an assembly on the topic ‘Shaping Hong
Kong’. Justin Lee, the teacher organizing the assembly, has asked students to
prepare some questions for discussion after they have finished speaking. Write a
letter suggesting TWO questions, stating which professional each question is for.
Explain why you think the issues raised would be of interest to the audience. Sign
your name ‘Chris Wong’.

3. A youth magazine recently carried out a survey of 4,000 students at 25 different

schools in Hong Kong. The survey was designed to assess students’ self-esteem:
how they see themselves in terms of intellectual ability, happiness, anxiety and
popularity. The survey found that Hong Kong students are below international
norms for self-esteem. Write an article for your school magazine commenting on
how the results compare with your own perceptions of schoolmates. Give your
article a title.

4. The average weight of a Form 3 student’s school bag is now 5 kg. Your school
has organized a campaign to lighten school bags by encouraging students not to
bring unnecessary items to school. However, you feel that students are not the
only ones responsible for the weight problem. Write a letter to the editor of the
Hong Kong Post saying what you think should be done by textbook publishers,
schools and/or students to improve the situation. Sign your name ‘Chris Wong’.
Year 2009

1. Your school has voted a celebrity artist or athlete 'Person of the Year' for 2008.
You are a reporter for the school magazine. You have interviewed the winner.
Write an article for your school magazine showing how his or her experience of
failure before finally succeeding might inspire the personal development of
students. Give your article an appropriate heading.

2. Some people have criticized movie stats for staging extravagant weddings which
cost far more than most couples would spend. Critics believe that such weddings
could be just as beautiful and memorable if some of them millions of dollars spent
were donated to charity instead. Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Post
stating your views on this issue and giving reasons for them.7 ]0 a h q

3. Students and parents from your school have raised a large sum of money for
China’s development. The school principal is now asking students for their
opinions as to which one of the following two initiatives in China should receive
the money: (i) further space exploration; or (ii) basic healthcare and education in
rural areas. Write a letter to the Principal, saying which initiative should receive
the donation and why it should not be given to the other.

4. A large number of candidates from different schools recently entered the 'Ten
Model Students' competition organized by a local newspaper. However, there
were only six winners, all of whom were female students. The criteria on which
the candidates were judged included academic performance, leadership skills, use
of language to express themselves, and knowledge of the world. To what extent
would you agree the male students in Hong Kong generally lack the qualities that
would fit them for the title of ‘model student’? Write an essay justifying your
views and give it a suitable title.