Writings Collection

Original Versions

Ching . 25 January 2018 DSE English Paper 2

Table of Contents

Part A Questions............................................................................................................................................................3
Speech 1 – 55th Anniversary Celebration of School................................................................................................3
Speech 2 – First Day of School.....................................................................................................................................5
Photo Caption 1 –Theme: Friendship..........................................................................................................................6
Photo Caption 2 – Theme: My Memories....................................................................................................................8
Diary – A Special Day.................................................................................................................................................10
Email – Accident of Fans Videotaping Concert..........................................................................................................11
Newsletter – Lucky Village.........................................................................................................................................12
Letter of Proposal 1 – Approval for Community Service Project A............................................................................13
Letter of Proposal 2 – Approval for Community Service Project B............................................................................15
Letter to Editor – Public Transport Priority Seat........................................................................................................17

Part B Questions............................................................................................................................................................19
Article 1 – Adolescent Materialism............................................................................................................................19
Article 2 – Athletic Meet............................................................................................................................................21
Article 3 – Choice of Profession.................................................................................................................................23
Article 4 – Culturally Diverse Class............................................................................................................................25
Article 5 – Degree Depreciation................................................................................................................................27
Article 6 – Disappearing Street Life...........................................................................................................................29
Article 7 – Imposition of Fat Tax................................................................................................................................31
Article 8 – Mental Health A.......................................................................................................................................32
Article 9 – Mental Health B.......................................................................................................................................34
Article 10 – Mental Health C.....................................................................................................................................35
Article 11 – Mental Health D.....................................................................................................................................36
Article 12 – Sending Children to Study Aboard A......................................................................................................37
Article 13 – Sending Children to Study Aboard B.......................................................................................................39
Article 14 – Sending Children to Study Aboard C.......................................................................................................41
Article 15 – Sending Children to Study Abroad D......................................................................................................43
Article 16 – The Third Runway...................................................................................................................................44
Article 17 – Virtual Sports..........................................................................................................................................45
Article 18 – Working Overtime A...............................................................................................................................46
Article 19 – Working Overtime B...............................................................................................................................47
Article 20 – Working Overtime C...............................................................................................................................49
Informal Email – YouTube Livestream.......................................................................................................................50
Semi-formal Email – Acting Career............................................................................................................................52

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 Informal Letter – Recommendation of Sport.............................................................................................................54
Letter to Editor 1 – Filming in City Centre.................................................................................................................56
Letter to Editor 2 – Opening of School Sports Facilities to Public..............................................................................58
Letter to Editor 3 – Parental Monitoring App A.........................................................................................................59
Letter to Editor 4 – Parental Monitoring App B.........................................................................................................61
Letter to Editor 5 – Purchase of New Computer........................................................................................................63
Letter of Persuasion 1 – A Correctional Service Campaign........................................................................................64
Letter of Persuasion 2 – School Locker......................................................................................................................66
Letter of Recommendation – Safety of Private School Bus.......................................................................................68
Proposal – Photo-Sharing Space on School Intranet.................................................................................................69
Report 1 – Hong Kong Cinemas.................................................................................................................................71
Report 2 – Rising of NEETs A.....................................................................................................................................73
Report 3 – Rising of NEETs B......................................................................................................................................75
Speech – Careers Team Sharing Guest......................................................................................................................77
Story – Power Shortage of Department Store...........................................................................................................79

Personal Statement.......................................................................................................................................................81
BU Film Studies Personal Statement.........................................................................................................................81
CityU Social Work Personal Statement......................................................................................................................82

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Part A Questions
Speech 1 – 55th Anniversary Celebration of School

55th Anniversary Celebration

Your school will hold several events next year to celebrate its 55 th anniversary. The Principal wants to hear your
suggestions for the kinds of events to be held. Please complete the suggestion form provided, make sure you
include:

1. details of ONE event you think the school should have;

2. the benefits of holding this event;
3. details of how this event should be organized.

You are Chris Wong, a student at the school. You have thought of an event that you feel would be suitable for the
anniversary. Complete the suggestion form. Write about 200 words.

Name: Chris Wong

Subject: 55th Anniversary Celebration

Suggestion

In the hope of celebrating our school 55 th anniversary, I would like to suggest having an event called “Looking back,
finding our memorable history”. It is well said that memory is the most valuable thing in the world. Without a doubt,
our school must have many memories in this 55 years journey. In the event, we could show the participants some
photos related to the school activities in the past 55 years. Participants are required to guess the activities names in
2 minutes while tips could be given to them. If they can guess correctly in 1 minute, we will also give them a sticker
which shows our school buildings, for instance, we offer a photo which shows the music performance in 2009 fun
fair, participants need to answer “fun fair”. As there are some public who have not studied in our school, description
of the fun fair will be offered as tips. The description could be “An event that have an entertaining booths and
performance”.

Benefits

Holding this event have a wide variety of beneficiary impact on school, students and primary students. Regarding the
school, there will be many primary six and five students who are willing to enter our school come to join our event.
By showing our wonderful activities, they could have more understanding about our school. If they have a deep
interest in our school, they will certainly apply for it. Consequently, our school has the ability to choose better
students for studying in our school. Apart from school and primary students, students reap benefits from it too.
Students would learn how to work as a team after arranging this event. When they are confronting difficulties, they
need to know how to use team spirit to tackle it. They will give a hand to each other, so as to build a good
relationship between our schoolmates.

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Planning

For the sake of having a perfect event, organization is needed. I would like to talk about the preparation. To show
our sense of belonging to the school, each class can prepare 5 photos of different activities. Tips should also be
created by them. To ensure the quality and accuracy of the photos and the description, teachers can have a
checking. In addition, we should also form a team who hold the event. They should go to buy sweets, stationary and
stamps. Designing the stamp is needed too. We can use the photos of school buildings as stamps.

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Speech 2 – First Day of School

You are the President of the Students’ Union at your school. You are preparing a speech to welcome new students
on the first day of school. In order to help new students achieve success and have an enjoyable school life, you want
to talk about the following in your speech:

 importance of following school rules; and

 importance of interpersonal relationships.

Good morning Principal, teachers and fellow students,

On behalf of the Students’ Union, I’d like to welcome all of you to our school. I’m sure we all want to achieve success
and have an enjoyable school life, so this morning I’d like to give you some advice.

Since you are our new schoolmates and maybe curious about our school, it is advised that you should read the
school rules carefully and follow them throughout the school years.

To commence with, let’s talk about the importance of following school rules. Firstly, it can ensure your safety and
have good conduct at school. If you don’t follow the school rules and do whatever you want, that how can a school
manage its students well? Secondly, following school rules is a basic step for all of you to become a part of this ‘big
family’. Imagine all the schoolmates following the same school rules, it can ensure you can have a comfortable and
enjoyable environment doing studying at our school.

Apart from obeying our school rules, having good interpersonal relationships is essential for all of you too. Let’s
listen to my advice and know more about building up to a relationship with others more. First, due to the fact that
you are now facing a new environment and your friends may not be at the same secondary school as you do, making
some new friends is what you need to do now. If you don’t have courage to talk to your classmates and make some
friends, then how can you talk with the other strangers in your future or career? Second, having good interpersonal
relationships enhances your courage and communication skills. Therefore, try all your best and spare no pains on
using different opportunities to communicate with people is important.

Last but not least, always believe that you can do and overcome it even you are facing difficulties. Only by trusting
yourselves can achieve success and have an enjoyable school life. Thank you!

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Photo Caption 1 –Theme: Friendship

Topic: you are taking part in a photo exhibition called ‘Friendship’. To match the  theme, you have submitted two
photos. 

Now you have to give a brief explanation of why these photos are meaningful to you. A title must be given to each of
them. 

Adamantine friendship

There is a saying, “Time flies, things change. Though the friendship of yours is adamantine.” This photo reminds me
of my secondary life I have had with my best friends in my life…… 

This photo was captured when my best friends and I were having a chat in our leadership training camp experience
pleasantly in a warm afternoon. When It was the school’s leadership training camp, I was assigned to a group of
unfamiliar people and I was initially too timid to express my opinions during the first day of the camp. Luckily, my
groupmates were on-going and talkative which made me feel like staying with family when I was chatting with them.
We cooperated very well and together we strived through countless impediments and our friendship
and collaboration arouse. After experiencing a lot of happiness and sadness together, we became a group of friends. 

I believe our friendship can be eternal and I hope we can still do funny and silly  stuffs together. Taking a look on the
photo again today, I still regard this photo, as well as my friends as the most meaningful asset to me as the same I
did when I was at secondary school. 

All about us, all about friendship

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Apart from learning, friendship is utmost important in my secondary life. I would never forget this photo as it is an
unforgettable and overriding one. 

I remember the day in the photo was a bright one when the secondary school offer result was released. Jacky got a
satisfactory offer. However, it was lamentable that I had not got a good offer due to my exam failure. I was
astonishingly worried and I decided to go to a secondary school directly to ask for a better offer. Seeing me worrying
and nerve-racking, Jacky checked the address of the school and he pat on my shoulder lightly and said: “I will always
be your side!”, then he rushed to the taxi stop to hire a taxi for me. Although these all seems just small moves, it is a
prodigious encouragement for me and have a profound effect on me.

Isn’t it what friendship is all about?

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Photo Caption 2 – Theme: My Memories

2013 Dse paper2 Part A

The dream comes true

A girl who is in school uniform is writing on the blackboard on School Open Day. She is filled with confidence and is
writing down her future job.

When I was in Primary Six, my class teacher asked me to write down my dream job on the blackboard. Everyone
was terrified like a mouse. No one wanted to try. I raised my hand. My dream job was to become an outstanding
entrepreneur. I shared with my classmates the reason and how to become one.

After my attempt and hard work, my dream has come true. However, most of my classmates have taken an
occupation unwillingly. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. It is imperative for that single first
step to be taken to kick-start all of us. That first step has shaped the person. I am new.

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 Teamwork goes to success

From the photo, a group of members pile up hands and cheer everybody up. Their faces are with a big grin and
blast

Last year, our English teacher asked me to do a group project about movies and I needed to present. I am not a
sociable person and I don’t like to listen to the group leader’s orders and I choose to do the project all by myself
finally.

However, my project turned out to be full of mistakes due to the lack of help from teammates. The teacher was
disappointed and asked me to redo it. A team invited me to join them and do the project together. During the
process, I learned to work with each other. I knew how important communication and teamwork was.

Before we presented our project which was done together as a group, we put our hands in the center and cheered
up each other. After the presentation, the teacher praised us for our great job. It was such an indescribably touching
moment to me.

Teamwork is more powerful than one’s strength.

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Diary – A Special Day

Part A

You celebrated a special day today. Write a diary entry about the day. Use the following three headings to write the
diary entry. Add one heading of your own.

Why today is special

How I prepared for the day

What I did during the day

Dear Diary,

Why today is special

Today is my special moment, full of joyful, expectation and different from the past------ my 18 th birthday. I feel
satisfied that I will put a step into the adult world after today. I cannot wait for doing anything because 18 th birthday
only once in a lifetime.

How I prepared for the day

As I have invited my friends go to my home in order to celebrate my birthday party at last week, I went to the
supermarket buy food ingredients on yesterday, like sausages, sandwiches and chuck roast to prepare party food.
And then, I ordered my birthday chocolate cake on bakery. After an hour, I went back to home, tidy up my home
started to decorate my house with flowers, balloons and ribbons. Everything is done and waiting to start on
tomorrow.

What I did during the day

At ten o’clock, my room bell was rang. My friend Chris and Ms. Yung arrived at my house. We chatted with each
other about interesting school life story and they always give their best blessing to me while we were eating party
food. After the causal chatting, I switched my CD players and displayed some dancing music and we danced crazy
together. Time flies, they give me beautiful presents then they left. I unpacked the presents, it was water bottle and
teddy bear. I love them very much.

Why I choose to celebrate at home

Maybe it is weird to celebrate at home because my previous birthday was celebrated on restaurant or karaoke
centre. However, I thought it was nice to celebrate this special day at home this year because it has different
meaning to me. When I was borned, this house was my first home. It witnessed my childhood and my growing up. I
wanted it to witness me becoming an adult.
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Email – Accident of Fans Videotaping Concert

Topic: you went to a live performance of a famous entertainer during the show, the entertainer found herself being
videotaped by a fan. Write an email to your friend, Jasper. Briefly describe the incident, then give your opinion on
the incident. (part A question)

Dear Jasper,

(1) Are you doing well recently? I bet life in university is as varied as kaleidoscope! Have you looked at the picture
that has aroused a lot of controversy online? I was there for the live performance of Antonia too! Let me tell you
about the incident and share my opinion with you!

(2) On that day, while Antonia was introducing herself to us, she found that she was being videotaped by a fan with
tripod and professional equipment. She was astonishingly provoked and she warned the fan to stop videotaping
angrily. Some audience there felt agitated as the fan's action lessened the enjoyment while some audience brushed
the problem aside.

(3) In my opinion, videotaping a live performance is utterly unacceptable. Of all the reasons why I think that his
action is unacceptable, none are as significant as the fact that his action was showing disrespect to the entertainer,
no matter he videotaped for personal use or posting the video online, as he videotaped without permission.

(4) What’s more, his action caused the overrun of the performance which wasted our time watching him being
punished. It seemed that we had paid for this part! I don't think this is fair to us, the audience that had bought
expensive tickets.

(5) Other than that, I think it is of utmost importance for the audience to follow the rules strictly that had been
posted outside the performing hall. It is patently obvious that videotaping infringed copyright as if he posts the video
online, the others can watch it free of charge, anytime and anywhere. This in turn made the live performance
meaningless.

(6) All in all, I think the fan's action is unbearable and he is inconsiderate. He also caused a lot of troubles to us!

(7) Tell me what think if you think! I am looking forward to your next email!

                        Yours,

                  Chris Wong

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Newsletter – Lucky Village

2014 dse eng writting

Part A compulsory
Write about 200 words.

The Local History Newsletter is a newsletter about the history of Hong Kong. Every month, it prints short articles about special
places in Hong Kong. you have been asked to write an article about an old village called Lucky Village. Write your article using
the three headings provided. you can use the headings in any order.

~~~ life in Lucky village 40 years ago

~~~ an event that changed Lucky Village
~~~ What Lucky Village is famous for

Special Places of the Month – Lucky Village

Have you ever wish to make changes to your destiny, like praying to secret fairy or something? If yes, you will be definitely
interested in Lucky Village, an old village in Hong Kong. As a teenager who love studying specials places, I will introduce you what
is Lucky Village, as well as the thing it is famous for. Read this article to find out more about it!

Life in lucky village 40 years ago

40 years ago, technology were not that advanced. Transportations, unlike nowadays, were not convenient. People only knew
there was an old and mystery village in Hong Kong from stories told by their parents, yet they had never gone there before. ‘The
village is so beautiful. It owes the best landscape in Hong Kong. People there is the kindest people in the world…’, stories like this
kept coming out from parents’ mouths. Everyone only knew residents in Lucky village were nice and friendly, and they could
appreciate different plants every day, but none of us had really see these with our own eyes.

An event that changed Lucky Village

A woman living in that village cried everyday covering her big stomach. ‘She is diagnosed having a lung disease by a doctor. This
lung disease is complicated and cannot be cured by today’s technology. She won’t last long and so is her baby inside her body’,
said by her father. Everyone was sad for her. One day, her friend suggested her to pray to the lake in the middle of the village.
She agreed and prayed precisely every day. A week passed, one month passed, and another year came. The woman became
happier every day. She even born her child successfully without any injuries. Everyone in the town were happy and thought this
was the effect of praying. This stories spread outside the village. Now everybody calls this village ‘Lucky Village’ and comes here
through long journey just for praying.

What Lucky Village is famous for

Undoubtedly, it is famous for its ‘luck’. After the stories being spread throughout the whole country, every single citizens
believes that Lucky Village is a good place for praying and that no matter how unique the wish is, it will comes true eventually.
The pool of the village becomes a famous attraction. Tourists around the world come and bow down their head to pray. Some of
them even throw little coins to the lake. Rumors say that the woman is still living happily and healthily with her child till today.

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Letter of Proposal 1 – Approval for Community Service Project A

2017 Dse Eng Paper 2 Part A

You are the chairperson of the Social Service Club in your school. The school would like to develop closer
links with the community. Write a letter to your principal, Ms Lee, proposing a new community project that
the school can carry out with a home for the elderly in your district.

Dear Ms Lee,

On behalf of social service club in our school, we would like to develop closer links with the community. In
this generation of burgeoning city, helping people and caring about our community are being discarded and
forgotten that our city degenerated into a society where socially vulnerable groups are living in the “lonely
world”. Requiting Society is the most meaningful behavior for everyone in Hong Kong. The same goes for
schools, nurturing a sense of responsibility in helping the weak is our way to requite society. In order to
foster the virtue of paying more attention in our society, we would like to propose a new community project
that our school can carry out with a home for elderly.

As a chairperson, I have mapped out a detail and clear plan about the activity. No doubt, nowadays
teenagers in Hong Kong are working around the world that their working pressure is huge and inevitable;
thus, they always send their old parents to elderly homes where provide safety living and food to the olders.
Although the older who were sent to elderly homes are no need to worry about their life, it is not blessed that
their sons or daughters seldom visit them. We all comprehend that the teenagers are between a rock and a
hard place even if they really want to visit their parents more. Therefore, our school plays an important role
in this unlucky situation. We would like to visit the older instead of their sons or daughters. The first part of
this activity of “giving warm” is that we could prepare a bewitching and interesting talent show for them to
deal with their long-lasting boredom. For example, Chinese dramas would be their favourite because that
bring them in their childhood memories. The second part is that we could prepare some plentiful lunch
boxes to share with them. The older in the elderly home usually have lunch alone that no one chats with
them, the only thing company with them during lunch is TV shows. Through the prepared lunch boxes, we
could have precious gathering time with them and let them know they deserve society’s care and warming.

This meaningful activity also offers many benefits for the elderly home apart from creating closer links with
the community. I believe that most of elderly homes in Hong Kong have no idea about how to overcome the
boredom of elderly. Against this situation, our activity obviously launches an important sample for the
elderly home to refer to. Moreover, via this activity, it causes promoting effect on society that more and
more schools will be willing to launch same activity so that it dwindles the elderly home’s promoting job.

“Vain teenagers are permeating and destructing the city “I believe Ms Lee can hear this statement
everywhere. In order to help our fellow schoolmates step back from the brink. I hope you could accept my
heartfelt project from my bottle of my heart.

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Yours sincerely,
Chris Wong

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Letter of Proposal 2 – Approval for Community Service Project B

Question: 2017 DSE ENGLISH PAPER TWO Q1

You are the chairperson of the Social Service Club in your school. The school would like to develop closer links with
the community. Write a letter to your principal, Ms Lee, proposing a new community project that the school can carry
out with a home for the elderly in your district.

i) Describe the activity that could be carried out

ii)Identify the benefits for the elderly home

Dear Ms. Lee,

On behalf of the Social Service Club, I am writing to seek your approval for conducting a new community project in
collaboration with Sunshine Elderly home which is in proximity of our school. It is proposed that our schoolmates run
Magical Day once a month at the elderly home, aiming to provide student with an opportunity to showcase their
talents and to bring excitement to the community. Let me describe the activity in greater depth and explain how it can
benefit the elderly home.

To begin with, we intend to perform magic shows on Magical Day, so as to add spice to the seniors’ life, which is
often considered monotonous and wearisome. Thus, a series of brilliant and fantastic magic shows will definitely
brighten their day. One of the shows is titled Origami rose. After lightering the rose stem made of a special paper, the
paper burns and disappears in a flash. A real rose in full bloom would be revealed and given to the elderly as a gift.
Awed and dazzled by the performance, as well as receiving a wide variety of roses(including violet, pink, burgundy
and so on), the elderly certainly will be lightened up and smile gleefully. Besides, students can encourage the elderly
to try some simple magic tricks and origami, allowing them to engage in the activity and be exhilarated.

Afterwards, students will have a leisure chit-chat with the elderly. It is common that citizens seldom spend time
making a call or having a meal with their parents, since they put making money as the first priority and work their
fingers to the bone to make both ends meet. Most elderly lack care and feel like they are being left out. Therefore, this
chatting session is believed to stimulate students’ caring hearts and let them gain new insights into the problems faced
by the elderly.

Finally, we have decided to embroider some quilts, bed sheets and pillow covers with Chinese characters such as
happiness, longevity on them. They will be given as souvenirs to the elderly, so as to make the day memorable. It is
believed that old people is fond of this kind of Chinese traditional handmade trinkets which remind them of the happy
memories on these special days.

Despite bringing fun, the activity is beneficial to the elderly home in many ways. First, organising Magical Day
promotes the mental and social well-being of the residents in the elderly home. The magic performance brings
happiness to the elderly and the chit-chat section promotes a genuine face-to-face interaction, thus making their lives
more vibrant. The seniors are used to muffling their emotions, as if they have built a wall of aloofness around them
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unwittingly, and feel like “nobody else would listen to an old fool”, “they had better hinder up in a corner and wait to
die”. In addition, most seniors got back pain or leg problems and thus they may simply sleep on their bed all day long,
not communicating with anybody, and feeling being left out or shut out by the outside. Nonetheless, the activity will
provide them with a chance to interact with the one another, no longer staying inside their cubicle to kill time. By
conducting regular visits to the elderly home, the cohesion of the elderly home can be strengthened and hopefully the
elderly will become less socially withdrawn or detached to society.

Second, encouraging the elderly to play simple magic tricks and origami enable them to practise thinking. Magic
tricks, as well as origami require cognition and coordination. Therefore, the activity can help them slow down the
weakening of their motor skills and improve their agility, which may also be conducive to the prevention of diseases
troubling the aged, such as Alzheimer's disease. Last but not least, the elderly can enjoy a joyful day with our
schoolmates.

We will be grateful if our proposal of running regular Magical Days is accepted. Should you need further
information or clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me. We sincerely hope that this proposal will be kindly
taken into consideration.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,
Chris Wong
Chris Wong
Chairperson
Social Service Club

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Letter to Editor – Public Transport Priority Seat

Part A
Write about 200 words

The controversy surrounding priority seats on local public transport has resulted in many arguments in
recent years. Write a letter to the editor describing one of such arguments you have witnessed, and giving
your opinions on whether priority seats on public transport do more harm than good.

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the priority seats problem in Hong Kong. Recently, the priority seats problem
have sparked off heat debate. Some people put forward the ideas that priority seats do more harm than
good. Instead, some people put forward the idea that priority seat still bring many benefits to Hong Kong
citizens. After an incident I have witnessed yesterday, I believe that the priority seats on public transport
do more harm than good.

Yesterday, when I was taking the Tsuen Wan line from Tsuen Wan towards Central, I saw a girl who is
around 14-15 years old feeling unwell. There was no empty seat on the MTR I was taking; the girl,
accordingly, sat on the priority seat and took a rest. After around two minutes, a man came towards the
girl and trying to drive the girl away. So unwell was the girl that she told the man her difficulties, while the
man did not listen and told her priority seat is for elderly only. At the same moment, some bystanders
scolded on the girl and try to drive the girl away. Finally, I gave my seat to the girl in order to let her take a
rest.

Through this incident I have witnessed, I found that many people misunderstand the use of priority seat
is only for elderly instead of all people who are in needs. Many inconvenient will be caused owing to the
misunderstanding; I, accordingly, think that priority seats in public transport do more harm the good.

To commence with, the priority seats in public transport cannot achieve the aim and even bring
inconvenient for those in need. As we all know, the purpose of priority seats is to make sure those people
in need can get a seat. Not only do elderly need a seat while taking MTR, but those who are feeling unwell
also need to use the priority seat. Since nowadays priority seats is labelled for elderly only and it cannot
effectively tackle the aim of helping those people who are in need. Also, like the girl I have witnessed, she
already felt unwell while she still need to scolded by the others which may make her feel more unwell. The
priority seats not only cannot help those people in need, but also causing inconvenience to those who are
in need, hence I agree that the priority seats in public transport brings more good than harm.

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 What’s more, the priority seats have waste the area in the public transport. As we all know, during the
peak hours, many people are riding in the public transport like bus, train and lake of spaces is not
uncommon. While if we observe deeply, it is barely surprising that the priority seats are always empty.
Since during the peak hours, nearly all the passengers are adult and students and they worry that sitting on
the priority seats may be scolded by the others; they, hence, choose to let the priority seats empty instead
of sitting on it. Lack of spaces always occurs in the peak hours, which cause some passengers cannot enter
that car. So it is noticed that the priority seats have wasted the area which can be used to carry more
passengers. Therefore, I think that the priority seats in public transport bring more harm than good.

Someone may argue that even only elderly can sit on the elderly, it can still make sure that the elderly
can get a seat when they are taking the public transport as elderly is also the people in need.
Unquestionably, the priority seats is beneficial to elderly while elderly mostly taking public transport during
non-peak hours when they can easily get a seat instead of sitting in the priority seats and it is no doubt that
priority seats bring many inconvenience to other type of passengers, hence I agree that the priority seats
bring more harm than good.

In conclusion, after witnessed in an incident about priority seats and considering the inconvenience
that priority seats brought to most passengers, I agree that priority seats bring more harm than good. I
hope that the government can consider the effectiveness of priority seat and adopt a follow-up policy.

Yours faithfully
Chris Wong

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Part B Questions
Article 1 – Adolescent Materialism

Question: Your school Student Union has reported that a survey showed more and more youngsters spend
a lot of money on brand-name items, please write an article of your school magazines, which telling about
the three reasons behind and the impacts.

Youngsters corrupted by Materialism

Recently, teenagers buy luxury goods are climbing. Have you seen some of them carrying Coach bag? Do
you know how much is it? Can you afford of it? A survey conducted by Student Union finds that more and
more students are spending a plenty of money on brand-name items, yet, it is absolutely not a healthy
trend. Why youngsters keep turning into materialistic? Let’s probe into the issue.

To commence with, youngsters are hooked by goods, advertisements stimulate them chasing brand names
and trends. It is utterly conveying flaw values pushing viewers to buy the most expensive and trendiest
products. In the long term, they will then consume luxury products regularly as well as crazily, as a
consequence, they will be directly lapped in luxury. It will be so sure that they will out of control.

In addition, teen depression is the culprit. A majority of youngsters are studying under a stressful/pressing
condition. They are trying to ease their burden through buying brand-name goods, for instance, wallet or
shoes, in order to vent their emotion to get material satisfaction. Grant, this is the possible way they are
willing to enjoy as the studies are in high pressure.

Adolescents consider possessions of material goods as a way to achieve success, happiness as well as self-
fulfilment for development needs. In the recent society, the ideals of ‘the bigger, the better. The more, the
merrier.’ is extensively spreading and mostly accepted. For instance, they would like to compete with peers
through buying expensive products to show how successful they’re. This is a way to show off.

Yet, this trend is affecting their lives. Children’s growing craze for material things are absolutely adding fuel
to the fire to family bills. Not only they are demanding for more pockets money from parents, but also
asking for countless money continuously. Disappointedly, a majority of families couldn’t afford it as they
feels stress with these extra expenditure. Undoubtedly, materialism corrupts mind. If some families cannot
let their children pursue brand-name goods, youngsters may try to do illegal trade for the purpose of
earning money. In general, girls become compensated daters, stunning, right? Youngsters’ values have
totally distorted by materials items.

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Today’s youngsters are embracing materialism. It is so disappointed that they are abandoning the Chinese
values of frugality. Keep spending irrationally has developed lavish spending habit. In the long term, they
would be running out of control.

In an affluent city like Hong Kong, youngsters are becoming materialistic at an alarming rate, parents had
better to control the children’s expense as well as educate them the right values. It strongly helps young
people to establish the right outlook on life. It is great to see youngsters won’t be the slaves of money.
Let’s get away from materialism.

(468words)

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Article 2 – Athletic Meet

Question: you have interviewed the overall champion of this year's Athletics Meet. He/ She has shared with you his/
her success story and you think it can inspire your fellow schoolmates. Write an article for the school magazine and
give your article a title.

Shortie Strives to Soar

Standing between the runner-ups on the podium, the overall champion of this year’s Athletics Meet, Chris Wong,
made a huge contrast to the first and second runner-ups, who are both 6 feet tall. Yet, receiving a standing ovation,
the 160 cm tall champion grinned broadly. Despite being teased and given the nickname “Chris the Dwarf”, he
jumped higher than anybody else and grabbed himself a total of 3 gold medals. How can the little giant bring the
honour home? The secret of it is gonna be revealed below.

“It is stereotyped that athletes must be muscular and tall and the short one always lags behind,” said Chris, “But I
will not take it.” Not reconciling himself to his physical disadvantage, he has devoted every bead of sweat to
jumping. “What inspired me is a sharing by Kevin Hart, an American comedian with the same height as I. He said,
“being short is never a fail in your life, but if you fail to try, you fail your life.” At that moment, nodding firmly, I made
myself a promise that I will be a star shining in the history of sports. I will let nothing dampen my will.” Chris’s
journey to championship thus started.

One of the gold medals was the individual event of high jump. “Since I’m not tall, many doubt my ability. Even my
coach persuaded me to call it quits.” said Chris, “however, I believe high jump is an event in which you practice and
better yourself by trial and error but not your height.” True, Chris recalled though he once often hit the bar and fell
on the cushion, he practiced more often and eventually he proved himself capable. “I realized that it after all comes
down to the calf and thigh muscles and the skills.” said Chris, shrugging.  “Yet there is no silver bullet to success.” He
shared that he aimed to jump over 1.5 metre at first. Achieving it with long-term practice but not satisfied, Chris
pushed the limit further.

“Want success? Once you meet your aim, set other goals immediately. Never be settled down by one minor
achievement and stop practicing.” Winning the medal, Chris proved that success is the fruit of persistence and
perspiration. He indeed inspires not only those who have physical disabilities, but also those who often give up
easily, to pay effort so as to prove themselves capable, rather than simply accepting what the others say.

Surprisingly, Chris said,” the main reason I joined the competition is not winning over the others, but winning over
myself.” Reckoning sports as testing one’s limit, Chris actually set breaking the record of this year’s Athletics Meet as
his goal, more than winning the gold medal. “I love sport because I can make a breakthrough by trying harder and
harder. I feel contented when I jump higher than the others, but I am thrilled when I jump higher than I did
previously. It is ecstasy.” That’s his passion for sport which allows him to practice hard every day and break the
record of this year’s Athletics Meet and thus be entitled to the name “Tiny Flyer” rather than “Chris the Dwarf”
anymore. He added that every one of us wants to fly higher than one can imagine; resilience and grit are the wings

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for it. Though it is as simple as even a kid understands, only a few can do it. However, if you make it through, you
certainly get what you yearn for.

Tiny Flyer’s story indeed gives perceptive insights to us. When someone with physical disadvantages is able to fly
high, why can’t we? With unremitting effort and unquenchable passion, we can soar high in sports, in studies and in
life.  

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Article 3 – Choice of Profession

Question: A recent survey show that youngsters do not prefer traditional professions like teaching, law and
medicine. Instead, they want to become celebrities, athletes and game designers. Write an article for your school
newspaper explaining what has caused the change. Also give some advice to your schoolmates who do not want to
pursue traditional professions.

Become the star of the movie

Once upon a time, there lived a watchdog who no longer wanted to help its master guard his home anymore, but to
bite off the chains, to run swiftly and freely, to travel around the world, and maybe, to be a trade dog, which was his
dream after all. Indeed, the craving for achievement which ourselves rather than the others want all along allows us
to pursue different professions, which are as numerous as the stars above, but never again to stuck at the same
place. Hong Kong has entered a new era of pluralism with unlimited possibilities. Youngsters dream big now.

A recent survey conducted by the Jockey Club revealed that the number of teenagers who opted traditional
professions plunged. Instead of conventional jobs such as doctors, lawyers and teachers, students prefer careers
such as athletes, celebrities and game designers, which are the top three jobs they now consider as dream jobs. The
shift is attributed to job satisfaction.

In the 1970s, youngsters studied hard to achieve a financially-rewarding career. Yet, in this day and age, income is
not the prerequisite when youngsters are deciding a dream job. They now reckon career is not merely a job to earn
income, but a mission which are is filled with creativity, adventures and excitement. Income is only the physical
reward of a job, but not all of it. In fact, the psychological reward is valued much more now. Therefore, youngsters
are no longer money-minded but they dare achieve what they are yearning for.

Living in Hong Kong, a multi-cultural metropolis, teenagers can glimpse a great variety of job and explore their
interests. For instance, the Government provides them a visit to a special apartment, taster programme, mentoring
scheme, to name but a few. As long as they are willing to grasp the chance, students can try a multitude of fantastic
and marvellous things, such as riding horse, experiencing what’s like in the moon, doing a scientific research, etc.
Nowadays, nothing is impossible. Even a 8-year-old Hong Kong girl Celine fought her way into the final round of
America’s Got Talent, Rex who is the unbeatable Hong Kong boxer has made himself a household name, and Mak
Ming-Sze who was a law student before turnt Miss Hong Kong! All these people inspire youngsters and divert them
to a race for dream.

It is now common not to follow the traditional career path and to explore your own one. However, parent’s
objection is usually the greatest roadblock facing teens who want to chase their dreams. Remember your “My
Aspiration” essay in kindergarten? Still vividly recall your mum grinned when you wrote about being a doctor? Or
you heard your dad sigh when you scribbled down “Actor”? Not all parents concur with the modern belief that any
job is possible. Some reckon youngsters must hold a degree to look for the traditional professions. A lot of teenagers
who dream big easily forgo their dreams due to their parents.

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Here comes the advice is that instead of following every command of parents, teens should start a long and deep
talk about life goals with them. Not only can it broaden parents’ mind and make them clearly understand their kids’
ambition, but it can also allow teenagers to consider whether their dreams is practical or not. Most people get
carried away when they are obsessed with something. Parents, who know their children best, can point out whether
they can handle it or they are merely daydreaming.

After “waking up” from the dream, youngsters ought to find out what their preferred jobs really are. For example,
teens fancy being an actor because of the complete attention from the crowd or dressing gorgeously. Yet, all that
glitters may not be gold. Celebrities have trade- off. In fact, from dawn to dusk, they practice, practice and practice.
Actors keep giggling, yelling, weeping and laughing in front of the mirror a million time, if not more, simply to be
natural; singers repeat words after words simply to pronounce it clearly and loudly. Youngsters should ask
themselves whether they are willing to sacrifice for their dream and whether they are prepared, rather than
fantasize their dream job.

Teens wanting to have a concrete understanding of their dream job may lack assistance and information about the
fledgling careers, which are not as popular as the traditional careers. They are advised to join related programmes
organised by not-for-profit organisations. Plenty of NGOs which are passionate to help students often run
programmes to help them know more about the industry and allure them to enter. Students should actively ask for
information from the organisations concerned which provide them with a better grasp of the career. Thus, student
can cast away any doubts about their dream career and plan a better future.

As long as youngsters ensure their dream is practical and are prepared, their dream is never pie in the sky. All they
need to be the star of their life movie is perseverance and grit after all.

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Article 4 – Culturally Diverse Class

Learning English through Social Issue

To what extent do you agree and or disagree with the following statement? Culturally diverse classes are better for
students. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Different ethnic groups have different background, languages and customs etc. Have you ever posed bias on the
people with different cultural backgrounds? Have you ever tried to understand about their core values which are
totally different from yours? Culturally diverse classes are better for students because this would allow the students
to remove the stigmas on other ethnic groups, enhance their sense of belonging to the nation and build their ability
of critical thinking.

First and foremost, culturally diverse classes could enable us to remove the stigma on other ethnic groups. Different
countries have common practice, such practice acts as a social norm in society, whereas the social norm happen in
ethnic minority would result in stigma and labelling on the minority group. For instance, many Indian have migrated
to Hong Kong since the post-industrial era, who have eventually become Hong Konger. However, the native Hong
Kongers always discriminate them as the ethnic minority, and do not agree that they share the same right and
benefits with the native Hong Konger. Migration Policy Institute found that almost most of the foreign domestic
labor in Hong Kong is female, be it from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand or India. Accordingly, the Hong Kong would
follow those research statistics and thus, perceived the female in ethnic minority must be the foreign maid or male
Indian might be the security guard whatever how many years away. Those stigmatization result in a low self-esteem
of the minority and cases of bullying in the society, which is the consequence a rational citizen do not willing to see.
However not all of them act according to the stigma, they could also have high educational attainment and have a
knowledge-requirement job. Through interaction in class, Hong Kong students would understand that even the
ethnic minority could have the ability to improve their socioeconomic status through working hard and leaving the
prejudice from the Hong Kong citizens. With this in mind, the culturally diverse classes could enable the removal of
stigma on another ethnic group.

What is also worthy of our attention is that the combination in a class of different cultures could enhance the sense
of belonging to our own nation. We would assume the people interest of our own unique of other culture, so that
not only did the Hong Kong people would share their own culture like dim sum is so appetizing, the minority would
also share their unique custom to other. During the sharing, the appreciation of the culture by another group would
be one of the recognition of the own culture, which will enhance the national superiority. For instance, BBC has been
stated that India’s movie as famous as it could shape the Hollywood and India movie industry –Priyanka Chopra even
help to finance Lincoln. When the Indian student is sharing this marvellous new, the other student might show
appreciation, and praise the India, thus, the Indian student would proud of their own country.

It is of paramount importance that we understand that having a class with different culture group of students would
help every student to build their critical thinking skills. Different culture has different norms, the perception of those
term varies from culture to culture. American students view that topic as deviant but the Hong Kong student may
not hold the same view. Using an example explained by Harvard Business Review, different culture view deadline
differently, while the “Western cultures tend to view time as linear, Failure to meet them could be interpreted as
having a poor work ethic or being incompetent. Other cultures perceive time as cyclical and endless. More
importance is placed on doing things right and maintaining harmony.” Therefore those differences in meaning would

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result in a misunderstanding. With a wide range culture of students in one class, different opinions toward the same
topics, students would more understand the concern of the other culture throughout the discussion, the argument
exists may be such a good thing, it helps the students to have a critical thinking during fight for one aspect since they
have to think of the other student concern using as an evidence to prove their own stance is correct. During the
argument, they may find that their stance is not absolutely correct, it causes them to reflect and maybe change their
sides to adapt the approach from the opposition perspective under the critical discussion. On the other hand, the
student may understand different value in different culture, which could enhance tolerance when facing the
argument between different group of people.

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Article 5 – Degree Depreciation

You are the Head of Human Resources Department of a large company, and you occasionally write for a job hunting
website. In response to recent statistics which shows that master’s degree holders are facing more difficulty in
finding a job compared to bachelor graduates, write an online article for the website explaining the reasons behind
this phenomenon.

Master’s degree holder must get a job easier?

In the era of knowledge, more and more people get the bachelor degree and master degree and most people
firmly point out that people with master degree can easily find a job and can find a job with higher income rather
than those with bachelor degree. However, it is hardly far from the truth that in the realty, master’s degree holders
are facing more difficulty in finding a job compared to bachelor graduates. According to the recent research done by
a local newspaper company, 97% of students with bachelor graduates are being employed while the unemployment
rate of master’s degree holders are 5%. Unquestionably, the result shows that people with master’s degree are more
difficult to find a job and the following are the reasons behind the phenomenon.

Using my company as an example, working experiences is of utmost important in the view of Human Resources
department. Undeniably, Our company will put those interviewers with related working experiences in priority as
they can get up the work faster as well as work more smoothly. Besides, in the view of the company, so more
working experiences is preferred by us that we can use less cost on training them. Also to the data in our company,
those people with bachelor degree differ from master degree holders in such a way that the former will use their
time after graduate to do different full time or job or part time to gain working experiences whereas the latter use
their time to study. It cannot be denied that hard skills like academic qualifications and knowledge is important while
in view of the Human Resources Department, working experiences is also important as this can help to solve
different difficulties in work easier and we think that is of holders with bachelor degree are also rich in academic
knowledge. In brief, more working experiences cause bachelor degree holders being employed easier.

Not only do working experiences is important on employer’s eyes, but attitude also valued a lot on employing
every staff. As the Head of Human Resources Department, so high education level are thought by master’s degree
holder that they don’t want to do basic job. Some employees with master’s degree in our company refuse to do
photo copying or word typing job while in the view of us, no matter what graduates they are, these job is included in
their salaries and are their responsibility, causing us have a bad image on their attitude. Not only do master’s degree
employees refuse to do some work, but they also have poor interpersonal skills. The master degree graduates think
that they have high educational level and ability, hence they always want to become the leader or even command
the others staff who are the same stage with them to do something, causing poor relationship between them. Apart
from that, they also prefer to do a job by their own and refuse the help of the others and not cooperate with others,
breaking the team spirit in our company. In short, so poor attitude and interpersonal skills had the master’s degree
holders that they are difficult to find a job.

Last but not least, high salary expectation is likely a contributory factor. I have interviewed many employees, on
average the salary for hiring a basic staff is around $15,000 Hong Kong dollars a month for a bachelor graduates
while those master’s degree holders always expect to have $22,000 a month and actually the job of master and
bachelor are the same on our eyes. Since the job will provide don’t require so high educational level and it is totally
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the same on hiring bachelor graduates or master’s graduates and profit is of utmost important on our view,
therefore we prefer hiring the bachelor graduates as less cost is needed on paying the salary. In conclusion, high
salary expectation is also a reason causing higher unemployment rate of master’s graduates when compared with
bachelor degree holders.

The higher educational level does not necessary mean having higher competitiveness. In workplace, working
experiences and attitude is always more important. If the master’s degree graduates can have a better attitude and
can gain experiences, I am sure that the unemployment rate of them will decrease or even lower than those with
bachelor degree.

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Article 6 – Disappearing Street Life

2016 DSE Q5 Learning English through Social Issues

The Hong Kong Daily is holding an essay competition for secondary school students on the theme “Hong Kong’s
Disappearing Street Life” The aim is to promote youth awareness of the need to preserve unique aspects of Hong
Kong culture. Entries must focus on one aspect of local street life or culture that is fact disappearing and suggest why
it is worth preserving. Write your essay.

The intangible culture – Street Food

Have you ever tried of eating a variety of food on street in Hong Kong before? Actually, I love eating street food so
much that everytime when I walked past the hawkers, I will just buy some snacks and enjoy that moment.

I still remember the time when I was small, my brother took me to Mongkok and bought me some street food such
as fishballs and handmade dumplings. I just then realized that street food can be really delicious although the
environment may not be hygienic enough.

However, when I grew up, I found out that this kind of intangible culture is actually fast disappearing and I am afraid
that I cannot find any street food in Hong Kong one day. Hong Kong government doesn’t encourage this kind of food
stalls and she didn’t deliver any license to hawkers until some special festival such as Lunar Chinese New Year.
Though, I don’t think this is enough to protect this extraordinary culture of Hong Kong.

Since I am afraid of this street culture to be disappeared, I hope that all of you can also realise how important it is to
preserve this one and only culture of our beloved Hong Kong.

To commence with, Street food can signature one of the Hong Kong’s culture. Street food will only appear on some
narrow streets and the environment may not be pleasant. Even so, this is the reason to attract HongKongers by
enjoying the “real culture” and taste the local food by only standing on street. Furthermore, street food is cheap and
delicious that all of you can afford it. This is how unique of our Hong Kong’s street culture!

Besides, street food contains HongKongers’ collective memories. I think each of the citizens should at least try to eat
street food once. Imagine when you are hanging out at night during Chinese New Year, you find out there are a lot of
people surrounding and tasting the street food. How will you feel? You will definitely want to join them and try how
tasty of the street food are ! You will then feel warm and get a sense of belongings by being a Hong Kong citizen. I
am sure that you will never forget that moment when all of the Hongkongers staying together and trying the street
food.

Last but not least, this is also an opportunity to attract different tourists to visit Hong Kong. Known as ‘Food Paradise’
street food is also one of the example of special and local food that represents Hong Kong. Tourists can feel the
enthusiasm, collaboration and harmoniousness of Hong Kong by experiencing our real street culture. Therefore,

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street food is also the way to revitalize our tourism industry and increase the revenue of hawkers by letting them
earn more money.

Therefore, the above reasons prove that how necessary and significant for us to preserve the Hong Kong street food
and I really cannot accept to encounter the disappearance of my favourite street food in Hong Kong in the near
future. Can you promise me that next time when you are lucky to meet the hawkers selling street food or another
stuff such as handicrafts or anything that are representing Hong Kong ‘s culture, you will go and support them,
support our unique culture?

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Article 7 – Imposition of Fat Tax

Argumentative essay: Should the fat tax be imposed in Hong Kong or not?

How much high-fat food do you eat each day? Have you ever counted the amount of consumed calories each day?
According to the health survey by the government, half of Hongkongers aged 15 or older are overweight or obese.
With the phenomenon of obesity is significantly increasing, a debate on imposing the fat tax is being hotly argued in
a full swing. Here I am writing to express my agreement over the imposition of fat tax in Hong Kong.

A fat tax is to impose a tax on the sugar-sweetened food and high-fat food which aims to modify the unhealthy
eating habit of Hongkongers. Obesity is a severe health condition which will easily give rise to various chronic
illnesses, like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. To fight against the obesity, carrying out a fat tax is the best way.

Firstly, it can slow down the rising number of obesity by raising the public awareness. Implementing a new tax must
arouse a controversy on it. Meanwhile, it can indirectly raise the public awareness of Hong Kong people’s health by
the dispute between people. If the tax is imposed, people may start concerning their own health condition and cause
a trend of buying healthy and organic food. Since safeguarding the public health is the responsibility of the
government, fat tax can simultaneously cause a deterrent effect to the public. The majority of Hongkongers will be
piqued the willingness of buying the affordable healthy food to the dear junk food.

Secondly, it helps raising the revenue of the government so as to benefits other policies.Whereas the price of high-
fat food would be costly after envying the tax, it can raise the revenue to offset other policies. For examples, more
expenses on medical can be used by the government provided that the tax revenue raises. Prevention is better than
cure. Spending the tremendous amount of money on preventing the illnesses is doubtlessly to be far superior to that
of spending the amount of money on curing illnesses. Overall, it is beneficial to our society.

Although the fat tax brings a bunch of advantages to our society, there are still backlash provoke it. Some may argue
that the fat tax may aggravate the pressure on impoverished consumers. On the contrary, because of the fat tax can
be equity neutral. The collected tax can not only to be used in the prevention healthcare, but also to be used in
helping the impoverished consumers on paying the medical expenses.

The fat tax should be imposed due to the following reasons. First, it can arouse the public awareness of health. Thus,
less people will suffer from obesity. Second, the taxation can raise the revenue which can be effectively used in
others policies, such as helping the underprivileged to pay the medical expenses or using it as the costs of prevention
healthcare.

All in all, I do support street busking as the advantages outweigh its disadvantages. Despite this, Hong Kong
government ought to carry out a more comprehensive taxation provided that the taxation is passed. Base on the
aforementioned reasons, I believe that the fat tax is undoubtedly practical and being able to help Hongkongers to
fight against the phenomenon of obesity.

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Article 8 – Mental Health A

Learning English through Social Issues Your school magazine is going to include special feature on mental health.
Recently, one of your friends was suffering from depression. Write an article for the school magazine about your
friend’s depression and how he/she overcame it. Give advice to others on how to help fight depression. (2012 DSE
paper)

An issue you must know---Depression

Exam period will arrive very soon. I believe that all of you must be working hard to strive for excellence. However,
not only do you need to study hard, but also find entertainment to get rid of the stress as it was found that the cases
of students committing suicide have been surging upwards recently. The main cause reported was depression due to
enormous academic pressure. This situation is not untypical nowadays. In light of this, I am going to introduce
depression and probe into the ways of fighting against it.

When it comes to depression, the effects brought are definitely terrific. One of my friends Mary (a fake name to
protect her personal privacy), a F5 girl, suffered from depression last year. Eating with her, I found that she lacked
appetite during the dinner and she sometimes cried suddenly. That really took me aback! After having a chat with
her, she told me that she was always apprehensive about her academic results. Even though she had already joined
tutorial classes every day and got a pretty good ranking in school, she was still stressed a lot because of the
uncertainty and unpredictability on the performance in DSE. Therefore, she cut all of her activities and hid herself in
room to study every day. Under this tremendous pressure, she chose to end her life and fortunately her mum
prevented the tragedy from happening.

When Mary's parents realized that Mary might be suffering from depression, they decided to spend more time to
take care of her. What they did was they went for a walk with Mary after dinner every day with a view to knowing
more about the thoughts of her. During weekends, they spent an afternoon for outdoor activities such as cycling and
shopping around. At first, Mary treated these activities as timewasting. Yet, to her surprise, with continuous talking
and relaxation, she discovered that she was not as anxious as before. Apart from the help from Mary's parents,
teachers also played a vital role in her road to recovery. They paid a close attention to Mary's study so as to check if
there were any difficulties. With the joint efforts made by Mary's parents and teachers, Mary recuperated from
depression very soon and now she is a cheerful person.

It goes without saying that Mary's story is such an inspiration in tackling depression. Apart from chatting with
teachers and family, having adequate rest is of paramount importance. Without enough rest, a large amount of
cortisol which is a hormone increasing one's pressure is emitted. If there is accumulation of cortisol in one's body,
the chance of suffering from depression is twice of the one with normal level of cortisol. Moreover, to deal with
depression, stop being anxious is very indispensable. The brain cannot consolidate one's memory if people are lack
of sleep. That means even you study very hard, you will forget almost all of them in the next morning. That's why a
number of students said that they are always not able to memorise things, making them feel anxious. As a result,
getting sufficient rest can facilitate the recovery from depression.

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Another part that deserves a mention is that regular exercise is required to cope with depression. Doing aerobic
exercise can stimulate the production of endorphin which is a type of hormone making people feel happy because
endorphin is emitted only when the amount of exercise reaches a particular level. Besides, endorphin can also
reduce the level of cortisol in our body. Thus, endorphin is undeniably an effective solution to depression. Last but
not least, according to a report by the Faculty of Medicine of Chinese University of Hong Kong, the chance of
suffering depression of people who do exercise regularly is merely 3%, which is half of those who do not exercise. It
fully spoke volumes about the importance of exercise in treating depression.

To conclude, prevention is always better than cure. Please get enough rest and exercise. Also, it is vital for you to
relax yourself after a long period of studying to make sure you are not stressed. Hope all of you can obtain a good
result in the following exam.

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Article 9 – Mental Health B

2012 DSE paper 2 Part B

Your school magazine is going to include a special feature on mental health. Recently, one of your friend was
suffering from depression. Write an article for the school magazine about your friend depression and how he/she
overcome it. Give advice to others on how to fight depression.

Dear Editor,

Have you ever suffered from depression? It is not uncommon to see that most of the students in Hong Kong are
facing stress every day. Academic result, high expectation from family, interpersonal relationship and so on are the
main causes for these stresses.

I have met a friend who was having a high expectation for herself as she wants to be a lawyer when she grew up.
Instead of herself expected, there were also high expectation from her family members and her teachers since she
did well at school. Her big dreams cause her to aim high in her academic result. Therefore, she started to study hard
and she keep getting the top one in our form.

However, one time her ranking fall and she had a suicidal thought. Luckily, that time she is nearby me and she asked
me for help on how to overcome the problem. So, I am going to talk about how to deal with these stress in the
following.

To fight with the depression, we can share our thought with our friends or the one you believed when we are
stressful. It is not unusual to see that teenagers often keep what they are worried about in their mind. It is
preferable to share what we worried about or stressed about to others. As others would give you advice on your
situation after you shared your thought, you would not feel helpless but more relaxed.

In addition, we could also learn not to have competition with our nearby, but to have competition with ourselves.
Jealousy and depression would be happened when we have a battle with our schoolmates. However, if we have a
battle with ourselves, we would hope that we would be improved in the next time and we would find more ways to
improve our marks. This way would help us become stress free and to have a benign competition with ourselves.

Moreover, getting enough sleep is an essential method to deal with depression from studying. Studies have shown
that getting enough sleep would improve our mood and well-being. That’s would make us happier and be more
energetic in the next following day. On top of that, we would be become more productive and be more focusing on
our school day.

Suicide is not the best way to deal with depression, let’s beat depression by the above ways starting for now!

Yours faithfully,

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Chris Wong

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Article 10 – Mental Health C

2015 DSE English P2 Part B Q.9 social issue

Your school magazine is going to include a special feature on mental health. Recently, one of your friend was
suffering from depression. Write an article for the school magazine about your friend depression and how he/she
overcome it. Give advice to others on how to fight depression.

Have you ever felt upset when you have received your report cards? Have you ever felt whatever how diligence and
hardworking you are, you still cannot get what you want? Do not worry, there are tons of people that share the
same feelings with you! Suffering from depression is not horrible, but what you have to do is to find a solution. In
this article, I am going to tell you my friend Kate’s experience and give some advice to all suffering from pressure.
Read this article!

Few months ago, Kate was dejected. Given that nowadays our society mainly focuses on our academic
performances- which is increasingly important to our parents. Sadly, as a new form four student, Kate failed to
follow the study style of the senior form. She felt tough to outperform her parents’ expectation. She in turn started
study overnight and left away from her friends so as to put herself in a forceful atmosphere for learning. Of course,
that didn’t work. Without proper rests, she felt much tired and difficult to pay attention in lessons- her result was
unsatisfactory. Thanks to this, she felt hopeless and neglect everything happened around her. What a worrisome
situation she was in! As her best friend, I immediately contacted her in order to help her pass this obstacle.

Luckily, she was willing to listen my advice. She started writing diary to express her feeling to relieve stress. Also, she
stopped listen to sorrowful music but energetic songs. In an attempt to definitely get away from the negativity, she
unliked all pages or websites which share negative quotes to insonate others. And I always stayed with her as her
back. What she often did was to tell her she is the best. Doing all this for sometimes, she was getting better. Figuring
out the reasons of always scoring low marks, she understood that her study method was not suitable for her. By
planning a clear timetable and being focused in classes, she gradually passed exams with flying colours. Additionally,
she realized that it is stupid to sacrifice friendships in exchange for a good academic performance. She opened up
her social circle and has a great work-life balance.

Is it encouraging? Currently, there is a phenomenon that most teenagers are suffering from depression but they are
refused to seek helps. You may feel lonely as you think no one are here to push your back. This is totally wrong!
There are myriads of people being willing to give a hand. Yet, you also have to help yourselves. Of all methods that
can help you, none are as significant as figuring out the roots of problems. Only when you acknowledge what you are
struggling with can others give advice to you. Meanwhile, you can ask your parents or any social works for help.
Given that social workers are professional enough in solving teens’ problems, they can give you some suitable
suggestions. Or you may write to agony aunt if you feel awkward. I also advise you to unlike all low-spirited pages or
websites and listen to more restful song like Kate does! Owing to the fact that teens are easily affected by the
surroundings, sticking supportive quotes on the walls is a good idea too as you can fulfil your soul with energy once
you feel sorrowful. Trying all this when you are suffering from depression, you in turn can gradually get away from
the sadness and maintain a good mindset.

Albert Einstein said that ’in the middle of every difficulty lies opportunities.’. Only when you can successfully
overcome the setbacks you are facing can you eventually outperform yourselves.

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Article 11 – Mental Health D

Topic: Your school magazine is going to include a special feature on mental health. Recently, one of your friends was
suffering from depression. Write an article for the school magazine about your friend’s depression and how he/she
overcome it. Give advice to others on how to help fight depression.

A Serious Problem—Depression

In recent years, it is not difficult for us to find ‘Depression’ in newspaper. Apparently, the frequency of students
being depressed is higher than before. My friend, Mary, who was one of the students affected by depression and she
is healthy now. Thus, I would like to share her experience to you.

Mary is my classmate from Form one until now. She had excellent result in junior school and she was the top of the
school. But, when she had been a high school student, everything was changed. She couldn’t handle the workload in
high school. She had a bad result in the first exam on her high school path. Her parents, teachers and everyone felt
weird. Why did she change? So, she put more and more time into studying. Despite her hardworking attitude, the
situation didn’t improve. Apart from her results, she also felt depressed when she studied. Moreover, she told me
she wanted to commit suicide.

She knew that this is a serious problem and she needs to solve the problem. First, she told with her best friend, me.
She told me what she was facing. After our chit chat, her stress was relieved. Then, she knew that she needs to find
out the main cause of her study problem. She discovered the reason was she applied her method of revision in junior
school to high school. But it is not work. As we know, high school students had plenty of work we need to do, and
the workload is higher than junior school definitely. So, the study way of junior school is inoperative in high school.
When she changed her way of study, she was the top of the school again and her depression vanished.

I knew that, so many students are confused about their future or couldn’t adapt to a new environment. It is normal,
and it is easy to be depressed. My advice is not to be afraid, if the situation is approval, you can find someone you
trust and talk to him. It is a useful way to solve your problem. And if your depression is about study, you need to do
more, think more, and your marks will rocket more. Thus, your pressure will be relieved.

This is an experience of my friend of dealing with her depression and my advice of how to help fighting depression. I
hope my words can enhance your knowledge of mental health and learn how to prevent depression.

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Article 12 – Sending Children to Study Aboard A

4.Learning English through Social Issues (2015)

Many parents in Hong Kong are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. Write an
article for your magazine examining two reasons for this phenomenon. You should also discuss the impact of this
schools and on children who leave to study overseas

Do you have friends studying overseas? In recent years, more and more children are sent to the West to complete
schooling and it seems to be a popular trend. As a chairperson of our school magazine Teen, I would talk about the
reasons behind this phenomenon- emerging students in an English-speaking environment and developing their
talents all-roundedly. Also, the impact for the local schools and students who studying overseas is also a prime to
discuss.

Of all the reasons why parents are more likely to send their children overseas, none are as significant as the fact that
teens could have a better English learning environment. Given that English is an international language, being good
at English could benefit students from various areas, like studying as they have to study in English at the universities
and working as all the documents are in English. Sadly, English is not the first language in Hong Kong, we do have less
time and ways to practise our English. However, sending children abroad could be a good idea to improve it. Parents
are more likely to send their children to some English-speaking countries ranging from the United States and the
United Kingdom and Australia. In these countries, teenagers have to speak in English, write in English in the daily life
and studying. It in turn increases their exposure on English outright. Only if they chat in English to suit the naive
speakers could they integrate into society. From time to time, their ability of speaking in English would have a
substantial improvement.

Not only would this action provide teens a opportunity to emerge themselves in English, but also give them an all-
rounded development. It is universally acknowledged that the education system in Hong Kong is stressful and
examination-oriented. The society has focuses heavily on the academic performances, requires students to pass the
exam with flying colours. They treat some arts subjects as ’useless’ and barely care about these subjects. However,
the education system in the West totally differs from ours. They are more open-minded that the neglective subjects
are on a par with those science subjects. Some students in Hong Kong who have the potential in arts would like to
study in those countries thanks to the more resources being provided. In these countries, there are more masters
teaching this subjects. They could have more chances to extend their talents. In the Western countries, students
have a higher likelihood to study in their favour and develop their interests in a relatively relaxing atmosphere.

Understanding the causes behind, we could know that students study overseas with various purposes. Everything
must carry some influences. This phenomenon has bring some impact on the local school and on the students
studying overseas.

For local schools, they may lose competitiveness owing to the diminishing number of prominent students. We could
not deny the fact that those students are willing to study overseas come from an affluent family. They usually
nourish them with numerous valuable resources that they could attend various extracurricular activities and tutorial
classes. Thus, they are talented on both academical and sports fields. If these gifted students leave, the schools may

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face a loss of talented students. Eventually, in the comparison with other schools, they could not stand out from
others.

For the students studying aboard, their horizon would be widened. Even Hong Kong is a vibrant city and is hailed as a
financial and cultural hub. Owing to the geographic limitation, there are still tons of stuff being alien to us. Studying
abroad could let teenagers to meet people from all walks of life, experience different lifestyle and explore to the
world. They could learn much more and jump out from the textbooks through meeting people from different
countries, trying different sports that cannot play in Hong Kong. Every new try, every breakthrough could in turn
borden their eyesight

Everything come with two sides. They may be influenced and behave badly. It cannot be denied that the youth in the
West are easily access to drugs, alcohols and sex. It is prevalent that teens holding some sex parties or etc.
Teenagers are at the age that love to follow others, especially staying in a strange environment. Wanting to have
more friends those students may join those parties or go to bar without the presence of parents. Eventually, they
may be a drugs or alcohols addictors or tempt to sex.

All in all, this trend would be increasingly hit in the future. It is hoped that the students leaving could be self-
controlled and the parents should keep in touch closely with their children. Also, the local schools could allocate
resources to other prominent students and do not let their talents be wasted.

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Article 13 – Sending Children to Study Aboard B

Learning English through Social Issues

HKDSE 2015 English Language Paper 2 Question No.4

Many parents in Hong Kong are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. Write an
article for your school magazine examining two reasons for this phenomenon. You should also discuss the impact of
this on local schools and on children who leave to study overseas.

Oversea or local

If your parents want to send you to overseas school, will you accept or refuse it? According to some statistics made
by the education bureau, the number of students studying aboard is snowballing, it reflects that sending children to
complete their schooling in foreign countries has captured many parent’s hearts for being the best option to
children's learning, so what are the reasons leading this phenomenon?

First of all, a more comprehensive and free education system is definitely one of the reason leading this trend. Being
part of students in Hong Kong, we all know that the education system here is ossified and rigid, isn't it? Everyday in
school ,lots of homework and quizzes made us feel suffocated .There is simply no ways to show our talents beside
academic performance .Quite a contrary ,in foreign countries ,a more interactive learning condition is obtained
.Students usually are divided into groups to complete different assignments ,through the group cooperation ,not
only students can learn some knowledge ,but also good communication skills is developed .In addition ,there are
more opportunities for students to develop their interests and talents. Numerous extra-curricular activities are
provided for students to join therefore youngers can discover their hobbies. The facilities and teachers are far better
and professional, too. That is why parents tend to send their children studying abroad.

Secondly ,to better improve children's English is another reason .Since English is recognized as an international
language ,it apparently play a crucial role no matter you work or communicate with people .While children studying
in foreign countries are usually required to use English to communicate ,they can immerse in an english speaking
environment ,especially schools in America or England which provides authentic english teaching .Under a
continuously practicing in english ,students ‘english can be improved undoubtedly.

So with more parents sending their children to foreign schools, there must be some impacts on either local school
and children.

To local schools, they may face the insufficient admission of students. As the decreasing demand for entering local
schools. Some local schools which are originally receiving less applications will have to face the problem of shutting
down. But everything has two side, it may ease the burden of insufficient degrees to some popular local schools also.
It depends on which side you look at.

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To children who are being sent to foreign 's school ,they can be more self-disciplined .Many children in Hong Kong
are spoiled by their parents since their sincere cares .To solve the problem, sending them to study in other countries
is the quickest and effective way to train their ability to take care of themselves .Whether children are facing a new
environment ,they are required to be sensitive about everything .This can cultivate their capabilities in several living
skills like cooking ,doing laundry etc. .Children will greater sense of responsibility in taking their own things and learn
to be tactful when living with other people.

Furthermore, it can broaden children's horizons and witness the real world. In foreign countries, they can experience
many new things and communicate with foreigners, who will tell them a lot about their culture. Sending children to
foreign schools therefore enables them to experience for themselves what is happening outside Hong Kong. This
way, they will become more open-minded and better understand the similarities and differences between various
cultures.

I used to dream to study aboard until i enter this school, where it has many beloved teachers and students. I feel
being take care and loved her. If my parents ask me to study aboard, my answer is definitely no because I know
those loves and unforgettable moments would not be found in foreign schools.

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Article 14 – Sending Children to Study Abroad C

Q4. Learning English through Social Issues

Many parents in Hong Kong are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. Write an
article for your magazine examining two reasons for this phenomenon. You should also discuss the impact of this
schools and on children who leave to study overseas.

Studying overseas-A blessing or a curse?

Undoubtedly, ‘Overseas schooling’ is not an unfamiliar term to Hong Kong people nowadays. Ever since Hong Kong
has changed from an entrepôt to an Asian financial city, Hong Kong people started having a high living standard and
place much more emphasis on children’s education, hoping their children to be successful in the future and paved
the way for them to achieve bright careers.

The act of sending children to overseas, like The United States of America, Britain, Canada, Australia etc. is not
treated as a privileged action anymore. There is an upsurge in the number of parents sending their children overseas
to complete their schooling. When there is smoke, there is fire. The possible motives are as follow.

To commence with, in an attempt to make their children stand out from the crowd, Hong Kong parents send their
children overseas to study. It is universally acknowledge that Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city where fierce
competition exist, Hong Kong parents desperately want their children to be the elite among others. The desire of
them gives rise to the act. With overseas schooling, their children can raise their competitiveness by broadening
worldwide horizon and enhancing the ability of independency, which allows them to be prior to other kids and won’t
be discriminated against from the keen competition. Studying overseas, children can experience different learning
environment, styles of living as well as meeting friends and acquire knowledge on other’s cultures. When compare
children with oversea schooling experience and local students, it is crystal clear that why the former has broader
horizon and capability, this sheds light why oversea schooling can enhance one’s competitiveness. In addition,
studying overseas, children can learn to stay away from their environmental bubbles and take care of themselves
without the help of domestic helpers or parents that indulge them, this explains why children can have higher
independence with the act. With this in mind, parents prone to send their children overseas to study to increase
their competitiveness and ability to be the elite in cut-throat society like Hong Kong.

Moreover, the act of sending children overseas to compete schooling can attribute to the spoon-filling education of
Hong Kong. It is not an overstatement to say a vast majority of Hong Kong parents are losing their confident with
Hong Kong education system. With the fact of increasing numbers of students committing suicide in Hong Kong,
Hong Kong parents pay attention to the social atmosphere and worry about their children undeniably. It is generally
known that examination result is highly valued and the public attach inordinate importance to academic results in
Hong Kong, where elite dominates and the weak being discriminated against. This set the backdrop why students
studying in Hong Kong is usually pressured, students strive for excellence in results rather than having well-rounded
and whole-person development under the education system, there is sadly no way for them to ally their stress until

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they are away from the stressful environment. Undoubtedly, Hong Kong parents wish the best for their children and
hope they can grow up in a healthy study environment, the favorable study environment like Finland, Britain and
Australia, which focus more on children’s growth instead of numerical numbers on the report cards, encouraged
them to send their children overseas. Hence, Hong Kong parents forsake local’s education and support overseas
schooling for the sake of their children growth.

The above is the culprit for the rise of the phenomenon, but how will it affects the local schools and the children
studying overseas? The question is worth investigating to understand and examine more in the phenomenon.

Increasing popularity of overseas schooling constitutes a situation where fewer children are studying locally. This
creates an opportunity for school to implement small-class teaching policy. With less children and the same amount
of teachers and teaching resources, it is conductive to the implementation of small-class teaching policy, as children
can be carted more when teachers are required to pay same amount of attention to a lesser amount of students.
This benefits the local school to monitor student’s learning progress, catering their needs as well as improving the
teacher-student relationship.

However, roses always come with thorns. When oversea schooling benefits to local schools, it indeed also brings
repercussions to them at the same time. The decreasing number of students indicates local schools will have less
students to study, this put local schools in a plight as it will reduce the source of capital and letting reassures idle,
inefficiency will occur in such case. Therefore, there are pros and cons of oversea schooling to local schools.

Moving on to discuss the impact of overseas schooling to children who leave to study overseas, it is doubtless that
overseas study allows them to experience and explore the world. Studying aboard is a golden opportunity for
children to experience a destination’s culture through daily activity. For instance, when a child was sent to Australia,
he does not only acquire textbook knowledge from schools, but also get a chance to view the picturesque scenery,
enjoying the sun and beach of Australia as well as getting in touch with the natural animals like kangaroo. This sheds
lights studying overseas benefit the students to understand and experience the uniqueness of a country.

To sum up, the education system and social atmosphere encouraged Hong Kong parents to send their children
overseas to complete schooling and this trend is going to be more and more popular and common if the government
still do not set great stores by the children development in Hong Kong. Studying overseas to be may seems to be a
blessing to children and parents or a curse to the local, but whether that’s true? I doubt. I believe our students can
have reflection conclusion on the phenomenon and I hope children can all be the beneficiary of education system in
either overseas or Hong Kong.

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Article 15 – Sending Children to Study Abroad D

Many parents in Hong Kong are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. Write an
article for your school magazine examining two reasons for this phenomenon. You should also discuss the impact of
this on local schools and on children who leave to school overseas.

Dear editor,

Nowadays, many Hong Kong parents are sending their children to other countries to complete their schooling. In
my point of views, there are mainly two reason which is most relevent to this phenomenon.

First of all, hong kong students in modern are facing high competitiveness in their school life. In local Hong Kong,
the amount of students whose graduated from university shows on accumulated raising trans yearly. These students
are not only included local student, but also different pleases contained. For example, they came from mainland
China and another countries. Indeed, numerous of them are benefiting by the “Outstanding Program ” held by the
government so as to have a special permission immigrating to Hong Kong. As this situation, students in nowadays
need to study harder and harder in order to admit the goal of entering in university if they want a good future. Since
the raising of students graduated in university, this will become a minimum requirement of Hong Kong people fight
for a job. Therefore, most of the students are in high study pressure and harm for their mental health. At previous
half year, more than ten cases of Secondary school students in Hong Kong committed suicide announced by social
media. Hong Kong parents are sending their children overseas so that avoid them succumb to high competitiveness
and study pressure.

Moreover, Hong Kong parents prefer their children developing their ability more comprehensively. Given a good
many new generation parents don’t want their children adept to spoon-feed education, they realized that students
crams the knowledge while studying in Hong Kong. It is not only difficult to get the knowledge fundamentally, but
also deprive their chance to develop their own hobbies. Because of Hong Kong’s syllabus is focusing on students’
academic developments, students have less opportunity to get in touch with another aspects, such as singing and
creating. Overseas’ education system more encourage students to try different. So, this maybe a reason why
studying overseas become popular.

Finally, this is not aiming to encourage studying overseas. Studying in local are also a good choice. So, try hard and
hope you can get good marks.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

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Article 16 – The Third Runway

Three-runway system would be a white elephant project, citizens now realise, when it kicked off. We all knew that
increasing air traffic demand was an imminent problem: the annual growth in passenger traffic and freight cargoes at
last made itself unmistakably Hong Kong experienced its capacity would be saturated. “Expanding Three-runway
must become the solution to cope with traffic demand until at least 2030.” Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, the
Secretary for Transport and Housing, said. That view was echoed to be a point of controversy within the economics,
social and environment sectors.

Obviously, developing the third way might bring some benefits in an economic way competently. Not only the
facilities and capacities enhanced to meet the air traffic demand, but also promoting the economic growth if the
airport was turned into a hub-orientated, which services covered the region of Pearl River Delta. It was also a chance
for driving Lantau Island to be the financial and traveling pivot. Under this line of thinking, this project could create
more job opportunities as well. However, such merits from Three-runway system has been exaggerated and
plausible.

Expanding Three-runway sounds great but naïve, too. According to the “Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan
2030” released by the Airport Authority in 2011, the estimated cost of it was HK$86.2 billion in dollars of the fourth
quarter of 2010. But this optimistic number tells only half the story. Airport Construction Fee is collected to fund
Three-runway system expansion because it overran and delayed. Even more, the construction expenditure was all
paid by public fund until 2031. It was no wonder why such expansion was named as the most expensive one since
Hong Kong was opened for trade. Yet ironically, the net profit of the Three-runway was forecasted to HK$96 million
per year, which just made up of around 0.4% to the GDP in 2013. The unemployment rate just about 3.3%,
approaching full employment in Hong Kong, though. In order words, the increasing of job opportunities provided by
the project would precipitate labor market tightened actually while some industries facing the difficulty of
recruitment in the early times. It was obvious that the feasibility of building Three-runway just demonstrated solely
from the prospective of Airport Authority, instead of the interests of all inhabitants.

Advocates of expanding Three-runway system like to point out that sacrificing environment is indispensable to the
development of economy. Take the airport of Brisbane in Australia as an example, the local government determined
to expand the runway to meet the increasing air traffic demand. In fact, they were successful to promoting the
regional economy as well as the cargo handling capacity. However, the government have taken the environment
factor into account that vastly improve the air route in order to reduce aircraft noise level. Yet, HKSAR government
could not modify the same improvement plan as Australia did ,due to the fact disguised by the senior management
personnel of Hong Kong Airport: When the aeroplane took off through the north flight route in Three-runway, it was
easily to collide with one of the plane which flew out via Shenzhen airport in a danger position. So in the long term, it
would not only be the local people who have to put up with the noise and pollution, but also playing a death game
was suggested in Three-runway system.

Developing Three-runway system certainly have their benefits, especially for the logistics, aviation and tourism as
well. But using approximately HK$200 billion to expand runway for airport, let alone Chek Lap Kok Airport did not
have the favorable geographical position: neighbouring waters is full of value to preserve, and reclamation will bring
the catastrophic repercussions to sousa chinensis habitat. Undoubtly, it was easy to say building the third runway
has feasibility, but what would the costs we need to sacrifice behind this white elephant project? Clearly it is not the
cost-effectiveness project regard to the advocate of so-called “feasibility”.

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Article 17 – Virtual Sports

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (2012 Q2)

You have been following an online debate in Health and Fitness eMag about the value of doing virtual sports (such as
those played on Wii) versus real sports. Write you view on the topic and post it on the online forum.

Virtual Sport---------Is it good for our busy life?

Nowadays, virtual technique have well-developing in these 1-2 decade. Multitude of lifestyle are hi-tech involved.
For example people communicate through the smart-phone application, and doctors can have a preparation on the
machine before they do the surgery for the patients which can reduce the failure. Indeed, virtual sports become the
eye-catching thing that change the sport style. At the below, I would like to discuss the pos and cons about the
virtual sport.

First of all, virtual sports can activate people’ s interest of doing exercise. Nowadays, majority of people are more
prefer sedentary lifestyle, which is usually stay on the chair with the electronic devices such as smart phone or
tablet. Obviously, people in modern seldom do the sport activities. Therefore, people doing the virtual sports can
easy to find the interest of the sports through the virtual games. This is not only can have a motivation to do the
sports, but also can develop a balanced lifestyle. In this stance, virtual sports is beneficial for us.

Moreover, the process of doing the virtual sports is more convenience to the real sport. Recently, the government
avocate our citizens to do more exercise. However, numerous of Hong Kong citizens are in hassle and bustle. Their all
daytime are contributed to their works. In facts, they normally prefer to take a rest more than pay energy to find the
place doing sports. So, virtual sports can play a significant way for them to exercise at home. Although the efficiency
of doing virtual sports is lower compare with the real sports, this is also better than not do any exercise. As you can
see, virtual sports can play a role for us to exercise easily.

However, virtual sports have some harmful effects to our physical health. Since virtual sports is generating from the
electronic equipment, such as Wii and PS4. If we treat it as a game and play it for a long time, it will easy to lead the
eyes problem. Apart from this, the ultra-ray which is come from the video games are not good for our body health.

To sum up, although virtual games have beneficial for our citizens in busy, there are many aspects of real sports are
not replace by the video-game sports. Therefore, if we can squeeze some times for the exercise, perphaps we can go
outside and have a deep breath while doing exercise.

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Article 18 – Working Overtime A

2013DSE PP Q.6

Learning English through Workplace Communication

You are a human resources assisantant.Your boss has observed that many people are leaving the office very late.He
has asked you to write an article for the company newsletter describing the situation and discussing the negative
effects.You have also been asked to give two suggestions to improve the situation.Provide suitable title for your
article.

Seriousness of Working Overtime

Recently, there has been a serious phenomenon where many colleagues leave the office very late. At first glimpse,
it is not a big deal. But if we look deeper into the phenomenon, it is harmful for our colleagues and company. Thus, i
will provide two suggestions to tackle the problem.

There are some negative effects for our company and staff. First and foremost, it will contribute to some health
problems to employees. As i mentioned, many pepole leave the office late. This problem let them have not sufficient
time to accompany family and join some social meetings. As a result, they will have some physical and social
problems. In view of this incident, it will be a vicious cycle probably. As we all know, the reason for the problem is
that they cannot finish all the jobs they have to do in normal working hours. If they always work over-time, they can
not have enough time for rest. When the problem happens continuously, they will have insufficient energy for
working. Therefore, it has to be sloved immediately.

The first solution for solving the problem is to recruit more people to help them finish all works. As i mentioned, the
main problem of working overtime is that their daily workload is heavy. This problem not only affects the health of
colleagues, but also influence the efficiency of our company. So, we have to implement this method. When we
employ more people, they can share the workload. All colleagues will leave the office on time and they can have
normal life. They will be less-stressed for working and be more effective. This is helpful to enhance our company’s
development and all colleagues’ health.

The next solution us to reduce their daily workload. It is aforementioned that the phenomenon comprised many
workload. Their workload is too much. They have to finish the 2-day workload in one day. This is an impossible
mission. Thus, they have to work overtime to finish all jobs. Although we cannot discover the negative impacts of
working overtime, it is not a sustainable way to run an enterprise due to the menace for colleagues’ health and their
health will affect the company importantly. Therefore, it can reduce the workload of people to relieve their stress
and enrich our company’s competitiveness.

In conclusion, based on the these aforementioned impacts, i strongly advise the suggestions to be implemented to
improve the situation. I hope that after reading this article, the colleagues could learn about the drawbacks of
working overtime.

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Article 19 – Working Overtime B

2013DSE PP Q.6

Learning English through Workplace Communication

You are a human resources assisantant.Your boss has observed that many people are leaving the office very late.He
has asked you to write an article for the company newsletter describing the situation and discussing the negative
effects.You have also been asked to give two suggestions to improve the situation.Provide suitable title for your
article.

No More Lateness

In this day and age,boosting the economic always outweigh of everything else in life has deeply rooted in the minds of
the most companies,and thus many people stay until midnight or even overnight.From the perspective of the top
management,this is not a phenomenon we wish to see because it will definitely lead to lots of adverse effects to them
personally and to our company.

As for the rapid economic development in our society,the competition between different companies has become more
and more intensive.In order to achieve higher productivity,most business encourage their subordinates to work long
hour,resulting many of them leave the office very late.This is a common practice of most companies exclude us.Our
business value employees as the essential asset in our company and we therefore show much concern on our
employees health.

Higher productivity may bring about a myriad of benefit to the business but everything has two edged sword.We
should not turn a blind eye to the drawbacks of working overtime.Deteriorate effects on both physical and mental
health is one of the major problem.Undeniably,employees may feel extremely exhausted after a long working
hours.Lacking enough rest will make the employees suffer from a health immunity,which means that they are more
vulnerable to get sick.

Other than having wreak havoc on physical condition health,long working hours period may also cause emotional
problem.Since some employees may worried about being removed from the current position in case they cannot finish
the assigned within the working day.This may potentially cause anxiety and even become a long term tortures for
them.In other words,their stress never relieved as they sacrifice their leisure time after work for extra
work.Therefore,leaving office too late have a far-reaching impacts on the employees health.

Worse still,the aforementioned influences may also affect the team morale and efficiency.This is because when more
and more employees get sick because of the hustle and bustle a way of life,their colleagues may feel like they are
working on themselves instead of working together as a team and thus it will exert negative impacts on the team
morale.Correspondingly,we all know that overworked people are less efficient and effective because long hours
reduce productivity and diminish the quality of work.It is also a common knowledge that fatigue makes it hard for our
employees to concentrate on work and increase the risk of making mistakes.In short,long working hour also pose to
negative effects to our company.

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Deter the routine circumstance from worsening,we would like to suggest the following measures so as to prevent our
staffs leaving the office too late.

First and foremost,the company can recruit more workers so that they can share the pile and pile on workload.More
employees could lighten the burden of existing staffs.Hence,our employees could finish the work as soon as possible
and taking adequate time to get rest so as to avoid making mistakes and hindering their performance.As a result ,they
are more efficient and effective on work.Therefore,hiring more workers could be one possible way to alleviate the
current situation.

Alongside from recruiting more employees,it is also suggested that set up a regulation to require the employees not to
leave the office after 10p.m everyday.Setting up the schedule can ensure our staff leave the office earlier and thus they
could get ample rest which is definitely beneficial from their health.

By and large,leaving office too late could have a weighty problem to health,team morale and efficiency.To achieve the
sustainable development of the company,we could strike a balance between economic development and the health on
the employees.No more lateness and hoping that all the workers could leave the office on time!

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Article 20 – Working Overtime C

You are a human resources assistant. Your boss has observed that many people are leaving the office very late. He
has asked you to write an article for the company newsletter describing the situation and discussing the -ve effects.
You have also been asked to give 2 suggestions to improve the situation. Provide a suitable title for your article.

Is staying in office too late good for us?

Recently, many people are leaving the office very late. Some of them went out after 9-10pm. If you are a member
of those people who lift very late, it is not only disturb your work-life balance, but also reduce your efficiency while
you had working for whole day already. In order to release this problem flexibly, there are some suggestion below.

First of all, as you are being a employee, you need to know about your ability and adapt appropriate job quantity. It
is common that many employees unable to talk about the job-overload in order not to dismiss by their employer.
However, you should know that your job will have a reducing trend when you concentrate for a long time. So, please
feel free to confer to your managers or employers if you have too many project that cannot finish it on time. I
believe that the managers in our company will concern their teammates as well.

Apart from high job quantity, developing your own personal skills may be another possible solution. One as admit
that no one can nonstop around the clock. So, we should find out working pace which belongs to ourselves. This will
ensure our members’ job performance maintaining in an appropriate level. Nevertheless, we also need to develop
varies job skills, such as time management skill and stress reducing skill. This will help us in our working, but also
useful in our whole life.

Finally, leaving too late is not good for our daily life. These is a few suggestions can help them releasing these
phenomenon hopefully.

Best Regard,

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

Human Resource assistant

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Informal Email – YouTube Livestream

Learning English through Popular Culture

Your younger cousin Jane is a popular Youtuber. Recently, she has started to livestream her everyday life at
home so as to gain more followers.
Write an email to her, telling her why you are worried about her new way of seeking popularity, and
suggesting one alternative method for her to attract followers.

Dear Jane,

How are you getting on? I have heard from your mother that you started to be a Youtuber, right? Your
videos are quite interesting know that you want to be more famous and develop your youtube career from
live-stream. To be frank, live-stream is not a good idea for you to do that. Of course you can attract more
viewers since many people want to watch one's life. However, this will affect your life and family.

The first serious problem is if you livestream, the privacy of you will be published. Alright, you may not
mind people know about your face or room and you think that privacy problem is not a problem for you.
However, it is the problem here, you don’t know how serious it is. In fact, your face show on in internet is
normal as you are the public figure. Have you ever thought about your house? If your viewers know
everything about your home, you may be harassed.

Not every supportors are kind to you, some of them are cracked. They will do anything for seeing you. Such
as find your home address or shadowing you, etc. Do you read a new from last month? A famous actor,
Ken Chan, filmed his home and posted in Facebook, some fans stayed outside his building and waited for
him until security drived them away. As you can see, it is quite dangerous for you to livestream at home. I
am worry that you may hurt and have accident.

Not only be you affected, but your family also is sufferer. Since you live with them and your mother or
father may appear on camera when you are livestreaming.

If you asked for their permission, it would be great for you to livestream at home. However, i think they do
not like to show up to the public. You keep do that, they may argue with you, it is not worth to break the
relationship for seeking popularity. What is more serious is that they may stop you to be Youtuber.

Moreover, your followers may criticize your whole family. 'Don't show your family again!',' Your mother is
quite old!'. If you see some message as similar as i said, what will you
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feel? what will your family feel? I sure that they must not want to see this comment about them. You are
the host who having a responsibility to protect anyone in your videos.
Especially your family. Everything you do, should be responsible.

So, i think you know that livestream is not a proper way to gain more followers. And attracting followers is
important for you. Let me suggest you a good way.

If I were you, I would cooperate with other Youtubers. There are different kinds, different styles of
Youtuber. Just like beauty, gaming. You can find them to film a video with you and do different things in
the video. If you find a gaming Youtuber, you can play some console game with them. Therefore, the
viewers can see the other side about you and know more about you. Also, you will show on in your
cooperators' channel and attract more followers. Through the cooperation, I believe that you must know
more Youtubers and the important thing is can gain more followers. It will not affect your life or even your
family.

Alright, you should know what I mean and I really hope that you can be a world Youtuber one day. Enjoy
being Youtuber to your hearts content!

Best wishes,
Chris Wong

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Semi-formal Email – Acting Career

2016 DSE Q9
Learning English through Drama
As a Form Six student, you are considering educational opportunities after your HKDSE. One option you
have selected is the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, as you want to take up an acting career.
However, your parents would like you to pursue an academic subject at another institution. As the
deadline for submitting the application is approaching, write an email to your parents, who are now on an
overseas trip, to convince them to support your choice.

Dear parents,

How is your trip going? Are you having fun as well? As it’s time to submit the application for further
educational opportunities, I’m now writing to tell both of you that I will select subjects which are about
acting and the one that I have selected is from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

I understand that you both want me to become an English teacher by picking up English Education
Subject as it is a meaningful thing to teach people knowledge. What I am going to say is that learning acting
is also an meaningful and interesting subject which gives me opportunities to devote myself in a variety of
roles. Since I really want to pursue my dream of acting, I really did some research on finding out how good
of learning acting is. Actually, it is a subject that can boost my confidence by having a lot of eye contact
with people. This can enhance my communication skills effectively through having fun. Furthermore, I think
acting is more flexible than teaching as the former one can actually be controlled by myself while the latter
one need to stick to the schedule planned.

As you know, I love acting very much even though when I was young. Do you still remember I always
act like the actors and actresses on TV? Do you still remember the smile and satisfaction that I got from
acting? I still remember the time when the trilogy of ‘A Better Tomorrow’ were being shown on TV, I
became obsessed with the marvelous acting skills of Chow Yun Fat! He then became my idol until now. He
is definitely the one who makes me love acting so much. He is also the one who I take as a role model on
acting. I hope that you can imagine how I am interested in acting and support my choice sincerely.

There maybe some concerns that you may have in your minds. One of the concerns should be about
the prospects. You may think that acting is an unrealistic dream that cannot earn money and fame easily.
To be honest, becoming a successful actress is really hard and there’s still a long way to go for me.
However, it is achievable because there are a tons of ways to achieve my goal, from joining the acting
subject now, to attending the Artiste Training Course. These can give me chances for experiencing the real
feelings of acting rather than just imitating my idol at home. Besides, I think my interest is the most
essential thing for me instead of learning greater income.

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 Consequently, these are the reasons why I chose the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts rather
than becoming a teacher. I really hope you can understand me and support my decision even though you
may not feel pleased cause acting is really the one which I want to pursue even I may face different
difficulties or obstacles. I believe that I will not give up definitely so I need both of your support too.

Yours,
Chris Wong

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Informal Letter – Recommendation of Sport

2. Learning English through Sports Communication (Sample Paper)

You have received a letter from your brother Andy who is studying in America, telling you he has taken up motorbike
racing as a hobby. Write a reply to him, explaining why you are worried about his new hobby. Try to persuade him to
take up a different sport and give reasons for your recommendation.

Dear Andy,

Glad to know that you're having fun in America! All of us 're missing you so much! Actually, we were shocked a
little bit when I heard that you has taken up motorbike racing as a hobby. I'm going to tell you how I'm feeling about
motorbike racing.

I know that motorbike racing is famous in America. But don't forget that it's also an dangerous activity! You know,
you may not be familiar with the rules of motorbike racing in America deeply and may be in trouble easily if you
don't be careful enough!

Do you really know much about motorbike racing? Maybe you think that racing a motorbike is awesome and cool,
but my brother, have you really think of the dangers or risks that you take up it to be tour hobby? Motorbike racing
is a sport that can speed up so fast and you can get in danger easily! To be honest, your mother also worried about
you. We are all worried about your safety.

Therefore, in order to be safe, I suggest you taking up American football as hobby as it is a healthy sport for you to
play with. You haven't try football in Hong Kong so this is now a chance for you to learn and explore!

Firstly, American football is healthy because it can release endorphins which can make you become happier. I
know that you always feel stressful when you are studying in Hong Kong, it'll be great if you can reduce your stress
by taking up American football as your hobby. This hobby can definitely reduce your feel of depression and anxiety.

Secondly, American football helps you make more friends. I always know that you're friendly and hospitable, this
team sports can also enhance your relationship with Americans and even make more new friends! This sport
therefore can definitely train your work ethic and cooperation skills. Don’t you think so?

Andy, having a hobby can enrich your life, having a good and safe hobby can ensure your safety and health
lifestyle. Hence, hope you can listen to what hobby I recommend you and just enrich your life in America!

Wish you have a wonderful trip and widen your horizons after you back to Hong Kong. Can't wait to see you
having fun on playing American football!

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 Yours,

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

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Letter to Editor 1 – Filming in City Centre

3. Learning English through Social Issues

Some people believe that filming movies in the city centre should not be allowed. Others support it. Write a letter
to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily giving your opinions. Provide three reasons to support your point of view.

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the critics about whether or not to allow movies filming in the city center. Some of them
believe it is good to the city. Yet, those who stand on an entirely different ground claim that is will interrupt the
citizens’ daily lives. Considering both sides of the argument above, I am prone to support filming movies in the city
center.

One very strong argument for this issue is that it can help promote our city. Movies directors often choose the best
or most beautiful scene of that town to shoot his movie. City centers are usually the best choice of place to
represent that city. For example, Times Square in New York City is always full of people and can represent how busy
the city is. If we allow movie to be shot in center of city, people around the world can get to know more about Hong
Kong when that movie is showing in cinema of different countries. Take Korean and Japanese movie as examples.
People after watching are usually interested in places that appeared in the film and wish to travel and visit. As a
result, more people will know our city and come to travel, thus helps promote our city to the international level.

What must also be taken into consideration is the benefits to our citizens. Given that lives of Hong Kong citizens are
busy and tickets of fans meeting are expensive, citizens have less chance to meet a famous celebrities face-to-face. If
movies are being filmed in the city center, where everyone can come and watch aside, citizens can get the chance to
watch celebrities and know more about film making. Imagine your favourite idol have come to your city, you must be
extremely excited and will certainly go visit him! Moreover, watching profession film shooting in the town can widen
your horizon on movie making. A striking illustration of the point will be Transformer, a Hollywood film, being shot in
Hong Kong few years ago. I can still remember how excited and proud Hong Kong citizens was. With this in mind, I
am sure citizens will support the idea of movie filming in city center.

Another point is that it enhances the image of our city. Allowing movies companies to make movie in our country
can let them know that we are open and wanting to cooperate with them. This helps increase the chance of local
movie companies cooperating with international directors in the future. Local actors and actress may also be
appreciated by international directors and lengthen their career path. For example Hollywood movies invite local
actors and citizen to take part in their movie when they are making movies in other countries. In view of this, local
movie development will be benefited too.

Some people hold the view that shooting movies in city center will interrupt citizen’s lives. Such as roads will be
block. In my opinion, regulations such as restriction of time and places can be made by discussion between movie
companies and local government, thus help minimize the effects to local citizens’ lives.

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Taking all aspect into account, it is my firm conviction that allowing movie filming in the city centre can benefit both
the city and people. I also hope the public will support my stance.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

25-3-2018

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Letter to Editor 2 – Opening of School Sports Facilities to Public

2016 Q2

Because of the lack of sports facilities, some people in your community have suggested that schools should allow the
public to use their sports facilities after school hours. Write a letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Daily stating your
opinion. Support your opinion with three reasons.

Dear Editor,

In recent years, the health conscious residents have increased. With a view to have a healthy life, more and more
people spend a lot of time doing exercise. However, there are insufficient sports facilities for citizens in our
community. In order to provide enough sports facilities for the public, some people suggest that school should allow
the public to use their sports facilities after school hours. Nevertheless, I think that schools should not supply them
to the public for three reasons.

Disturbing students in the schools is one of the reasons that schools facilities are not open for the public. Many
students do revisions at school and ask teachers questions after school. Moreover, senior secondary students have a
lot of additional classes after school so as to go through the whole syllabus in lessons. It is obvious that many
students stay at school after school hours. If the residents use schools facilities, they will make noise such as playing
music and chatting with friends. The noisy environment makes students cannot finish lessons on time because the
public disturb their lessons. Therefore, providing school facilities to citizens put students in danger.

In addition, providing sports facilities for residents makes students lose opportunities to use sports facilities. Getting
good results in the competitions, many sports team members need to practise after school. If the public use the
sports facilities, sports team members will not have ample sports facilities to practise. Without practices, the sport
team members will lose the competitions. Supplying sports facilities to citizens affects not only sports team
members, but also other students. In order to prepare examinations, many students have a lot of pressure. Many
students play sports for relaxation after school. If there is not enough sports facilities for students, they will lose an
opportunity to relax.

Schools need to consider the manpower when the citizens use the sports facilities in schools. When the public use
the sports facilities after school, securities have to stay at schools until closing time. Moreover, schools need to
employ more cleaners to clean the sports facilities. A reason for leading to increase financial burden of schools is
providing the sports facilities for the residents.

To conclude, supplying sports facilities to the public affects not only the students, but also the schools. The schools
need to think twice when they consider whether to provide sports facilities for the public. I hope that sport facilities
will not be open for the citizens.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong
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Chris Wong

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Letter to Editor 3 – Parental Monitoring App A

2016DSE Q4 Learning English through Debating

It has recently been reported that some parents in Asian countries are installing apps on their children’s mobile
phones that monitor their activities to ensure that they use these devices responsibly. Write a letter to the Young
Post stating whether you agree with these parents’ actions or not. Justify your position with three reasons.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to show my disagreement towards the motion of ‘Parents in Asian countries installed apps on their
children’s mobile phones’. As the technology is keep advancing and more and more children can access to the
internet in their early ages, it is understandable that most of the parents will worry about their children of browsing
the internet. Nevertheless, I still do not think that installing apps on children’s mobile phone is a good way to
monitor them.

To commence with, it is reasonable to give children freedom for entertainment. Entertainment is actually one of the
bedrock for children to relax themselves. Parents should understand that the growing prevalence of using mobile
phone encourage children to browse some streaming apps like Youtube, Facebook, Instagram etc. Children will treat
the above activities as relaxation and therefore, parents should trust them first. Parents should give them rights to
use mobile phones instead of installing apps to monitor them. Even though if a child learn some bad values on
Internet, parents can then talk to him/her restrict the child’s use afterwards. The prerequisite is that parents should
trust their children first and give them the proper rights of freedom.

Secondly, installing apps have a lot of drawbacks that can ruin the relationship between the children and parents.
Imagine that everytime when you are browsing the internet, your parents always checking on you, how will you feel
at that moment? I am sure that the children will feel uncomfortable and they will actually yearn for more freedom
and hate their parents of stripping their freedom. Consequently, the overinvolvement by parents may lead to
contention and then they will end up distrust with each other. In some extreme cases, children in the stage of
adolescence can even become rebellious that they will try to do all the things that their parents do not let them to.
All these proved that their installing apps on children’s mobile phones can create a tons of negative problems.

Thirdly, there are other methods which one better than installing apps for monitoring children. For example, parents
can restrict children’s time limit on surfing the Internet. Children should compromise with parents about the
browsing time of using their mobile phones in order not to let them be addicted. Furthermore, for the sake of
avoiding children browsing some inappropriate content such as violence and pornography content, parents can
actually lock some designated apps and then set some guidance which require parents’ consent before using the
similar apps. The above measures can ensure children to use the devices responsibly and hence, using all the
methods above rather than installing apps is the best way to monitor children.

Last but not the least, installing apps is actually a kind of authoritarian parenting that will definitely ruin the
relationship between parents and children. Parents should give children some freedom rather than monitor them
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obsessively. If parents are really worried about their children, try to follow the above suggestions then. I believe that
children can stay with parents harmoniously afterwards

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

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Letter to Editor 4 – Parental Monitoring App B

4. Learning English through Debating

It has recently been reported that some parents in Asian countries are installing apps on their children’s mobile
phones that monitor their activities to ensure that they use these devices responsibly.

Write a letter to the Young Post stating whether you agree with these parents’ actions or not. Justify your position
with three reasons.

Dear Editor,

In this technologically advanced era, most of the people, if not all, have a smart phone on their hand, even
children are not the exception. However, concern of internet safety has raised among parents. Some parents
decided to install parental control apps as a prevention in case children accidentally click to some websites
containing inappropriate contents. From my perspective, this kind of action is well-intended but ill-conceived and I
am writing to express my disagreement on these Asian parents practice with the following reasons.

First off, children ought to enjoy a basic human right----privacy. Ethically, it is impolite and rude to install
monitoring apps without children’s consent because everyone no matter the ages, has right to protect their own
privacy. Even if their role is a parent, it is by no mean should they have privilege to deprive their little private spaces.
Imagine if we are the child who was monitored by these controlling apps, we are living on our parents’ clutches
which all information we received are selected by our ‘beloved’ parent. It is unquestionably pathetic and horrible.
Worse still, if children discover that they are monitored by their parents, they will definitely feel betrayed and
insecure. Parents should also take their responsibility as a parent to care about their children’s feeling. Therefore,
installing monitoring apps is ethically wrong and ill-conceived action.

Besides, this action will alienate the relationship between children and parents once children find out the
monitoring app. As aforementioned, children will feel betrayed since the person who they have trusted installing this
kind of apps to manage them. Bad perception to parents comes along in children’s mind and they may probably have
trust issue on their parents. Consequently, children are not willing to open their heart and share things with parents.
Parents will find it become more difficult to know what their children thinking, more conflicts emerge mutually as
the misunderstanding of each other and more family problem like breakdown in communication appears. An
invisible wall may built between parents and children and worsen their relationship. I believe it is not a phenomena
which parents supposed to see when they are installing the apps, not to mention their original intention was to
understand what information their children received, but it seems to put the cart before the horse. Thus, parents
should not install these monitoring apps.

Furthermore, it is useless to spy children’s online activities in a bid to prevent the adverse effects inappropriate
websites give to children .In fact, in this digital ages, many children are more tech-savvy than parent assumed. These
surveillance apps will be found by them very easily and there are also many hacking apps to remove the function of
these apps. Children can find 100 ways to deal with 100 measures parents made. It is of no use for parent to take
installing monitoring apps as prevention because the rooted problem is that children may not have a clear analyzing
ability to distinguish improper contents. Therefore, parents should uproot this problem by education. In the way of
instructing them that there are some non-nutritive websites and network traps will they know how to select proper
contents. On the contrary, installing monitoring apps steadily only bear side effect on parent-child relationship and

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do not help children to enhance children’s analyzing ability. Thus, it is not recommended to install apps on their
phones.

All in all, I hope that some Asian parents can stop installing these apps and start to educate their children. Only
if parents guide their children properly can children enjoy a safe and diversified internet journey.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

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Letter to Editor 5 – Purchase of New Computer

You have recently read an article in the Student Post in which the writer argued that the government was wasting
too much money on buying new computers for schools. He suggested that the money could be used to improve
learning in many ways.

Write a letter to the editor giving your views on this issue. (2010CE QUESTION)

Dear editor:

I am writing to respond to an article posted recently, pointing out that the government has been spending too much
money on buying computer for schools. Indeed, the money used to buy computer accounts for a high proportion of
the total government expenses on school. However, does this really help students? If the government really wants to
help students, I think officials ought to know what students really need these days, instead of distributing something
useless to them.

Why computers were so important in the past? It is probably because students might use it to do research or project
and there was no any alternative for computer in the past. However, with the advancement of technology, the cost
of producing a smartphone has been decreasing these days, which results in a great drop in the price of a
smartphone. Getting hold of it nowadays is not as hard as before. Once it is in the hands of students, it is effortlessly
to find whatever information they want on the internet. Also, by downloading some applications, they can use their
small gadget to do different kinds of projects. As a result, it is so rare to see students rush to the school library to use
computer nowadays. If the government still distribute a large sum of money to change computers for schools, I think
it is a waste of money. In fact, what students truly cry out for is by far more than a computer.

If I were given the chance to decide how to use the money, I would definitely assign more resources to provide
students with a wide range of activities, from buying more sports equipment to holding more exchange tours. With
the immense competition among students, most of whom spend much of their time drilling the past papers and
attending different types of tutorial lessons. Despite the fact that their academic performance may improve, they are
never happy. Some of them are even suffering from mental diseases like depression, with more and more students
committing suicide these days. With a view to stem the tide of suicide, I think government should give schools more
money to set up a wide variety of sporting activities to ease the pressure of students. Also, with the aid of resources,
schools can hold some exchange tours to not only release their pressure, but also broaden their vision. Therefore,
instead of buying computers, I think government should promote the importance of holding activities, and provide
monetary assistance.

Also, many schools in Hong Kong were built more than two decades, either the educational equipment or the
building has been worn-out. How can a student have a high incentive to learn in an undesirable atmosphere? In fact,
many schools want to renovate the building and replace the outdated equipment, but money is a hindrance to them.
Under such a circumstance, should the government give monetary support to schools, both the incentive of learning
and teaching will improve. Is it a more effective way to help students comparing with buying them computers?

It is understandable that government needed to purchase more computers to facilitate students’ learning in the past
decade. But government should move with the time and know what students actually need. I hope government
could make a change on the current policy, thereby helping our next generation to learn better.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

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Letter of Persuasion 1 – A Correctional Service Campaign

HKDSE 2012 Q8

Learning English through Workplace Communications

You are an intern at Hong Kong Correctional Services. The government has launched a campaign called Second
Chance to encourage employers to recruit reformed criminals or drug addicts. Write a letter to all Hong Kong
businesses outlining the new project, explaining the benefit and persuading them to join the scheme.

To all Hong Kong Businesses,

Just Do It Now!!! Give them a Chance!

Recently, the Hong Kong Government has launched a campaign named Second Chance. This campaign aims to
encourage employers to recruit reformed criminals or drug addicts. Here has some details of the new project.

This new project is mainly encouraging the employers to employ the reformed thought the refund. The primary
component is refunding 5% each of their salaries at first two years for the employers by government. Actually, the
reformers is also have their own values and beneficial to our society.

First of all, they will be more hard work as they know that their job opportunity may lower than general employees.
Because of they aware that there has a black point in their life, seeing the ethic of society, the reformers were
difficult to take part in the society. Therefore, most of them were tresure every chance which had been given. In
order not to lost any job opportunities, they would be more hardworking and euthsiastic on their work. This will
benefit for the employer’s business obviously. As you can see, it is beneficial to recruit the reformers.

Moreover, employing reformers can encourage other employees to perfect themselves. While employers invited
reformers to be one of their members, this shows that his or her ability was be accepted. If other employees don’t
able to stay at the same level with a person who is backgrounded, their self-esteem will have a positive
encouragement to improve themselves. Apart from this, reformers can also play a role like a “teacher” to warn the
job peers that don’t go astray. As you can see, recruiting reformers can have positive impacts to the whole team.

Nonetheless, giving them social care maybe another factor. Nowadays, people in all walk of life are strive for the
fairness. At the same time, a governmental advertisment which is display as a short drama shows the aims that “Give
a Chance to Correct”. As you can see, it is important for the reformers to have a chance to correct. So, giving them a
job opportunity can show the social warm that they still concern by the society. Then, they will have more self-
motivation to correct their impression in public general through the job.

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 To sum up, recruiting the reformers have a lot of benefit. However, I can just list out a few of that. Hopefully, giving
them an opportunity to rebuild their life. This is not only can beneficial to the reformers personally, but also can
release Hong Kong’s potential productivity. This is the win win situation between both of the parties. So, just do it
now!!!

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

Intern of Hong Kong Correctional Services

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Letter of Persuasion 2 – School Locker

Topic: Currently, only a small number of students in your school have access to school lockers. As the chairperson of
the Student Union of your school, you have collected the views of students from different classes on this issue. Write
a letter to Ms Lee, your school Principal, to persuade her to change the policy on lockers.

Dear Miss Lee,

Recently, students from different classes have expressed their opinion about the policy on school lockers.
Given that only a few students are given the permission to use the lockers-it has stirred up much controversy among
students. As the chairperson of the school Students Union, I have gathered the views of students on this issue in a
bid to write this letter to reveal the disadvantages of this policy- incurring the school disharmony and holding
inconvenience and some suggestions on the policy on lockers.

The most significant reason is that this policy intensifies school disharmony. As only a small number of students have
access to school lockers with special needs, it in turn becomes an unfair policy to other fellow students. In this
manner, other students feel utterly resentful as the school did not treat them equally. Subsequently, they are
dissatisfied about the school and eventually the sense of belonging to the school would be weakened. Not only do
students feel discontented to the school, but also they feel revolted to the locker users. They may give vent to their
anger by bullying them or shouting at them. With no doubts, all this kind of behavior will consequently worsen their
relationship. However, changing the policy that allows all students to use the school lockers could mitigate the
problem-which finally causes the school disharmony.

Apart from the soaring school disharmony, never should we overlook the needs of other students. We all know
that students have to attend a bunch of lessons and extra-curriculum activities per day. Some students complained
that they always have to carry a bulky schoolbag as they have to join various activities after school and it is extremely
inconvenient. Students have to bring tons of heavy stuff ranging from musical instruments and sporting goods to
textbooks, without a lockers to place them, it is bothersome for students as they cannot put their belongings in
school as so to bring as less as they can. Therefore, it becomes an enormous burden for them.

However, if the policy is changed that all students are allowed to use the lockers, the school disharmony and the
inconvenience could be eliminated and also various advantages are brought.

One strong advantage is that students could keep their personal belongings much safely. Currently, a phenomenon
of students losing their belongings like mobile phone and wallet becomes particularly prevalent. The root of this
problem is students not having a proper place to keep their belongings. Some students claimed that it is annoying
when they want to do sports in recess time as no one can look after their belongings. However opening the lockers
to all students can solve this. Given that students can have a safe place to store all their stuff, so no one can take
them away. Hence, I strongly believe that only if the school could open the school lockers to all students could the
theft be eradicated.

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It should also be noted that the suggestion of the policy could protect students’ mental health. As I mentioned
above, students at present have to carry numerous textbooks and notes for about one hour back to school every
day. Which is a enormous burden to the backbones of students. With no doubts, after a long period of time, the
backbones of students are getting hurt. It cannot be underestimated the importance of the vertebral column for us.
Getting know from the newspaper, we can notice that there are already many students suffering pain and various
complication like damaging the nervous system and influencing the function of the brain due to the huge pressure
created by the heavy school bags. But, allowing all students to use the lockers can protect their vertebral column.
Students can put some of the textbooks in the lockers so as to reduce the weight of the schoolbags. And so the
burden of the backbones can be alleviated which is a way to protect students’ health.

We understand that the school may have not suffice capital to purchase so many lockers. Accordingly, we have some
suggestions. Firstly, a locker could be shared by two to three students. Owing to the fact that there are not enough
lockers for every student to have one, sharing with two to three students could let every students enjoy the
advantages of lockers. Students could decide who are going to share with so that less arguments would have.
Another possible method is that turning the usage time of using the lockers to one term. In an attempt to allow all
students can use the school lockers, every students could use the lockers for one term, but in the other term, they
loss the permission to access the lockers and give the lockers to another half students who does not use the lockers
in the first term.

We know that the main reason of opening the school lockers to some students is to provide them a comfortable
atmosphere for learning. But as I mentioned, allowing all students to use lockers can bring more advantages and
address the problems I have mentioned. As the chairperson of the Student Union, I cordially suggest you consider
our suggestion on the policy on lockers so as to let all students can enjoy the convenience brought by the lockers.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Wong

Chairperosn

Student Union

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Letter of Recommendation – Safety of Private School Bus

Many people say that private school bus service operators do not follow proper safety procedures when dealing with
young children and they argue that this may pose a danger. Write a letter to the Bus Operators Association of Hong
Kong to express your concerns and give three recommendations for how private school bus services can be
improved.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Recently, some social medias in local delivered several cases about private school bus safety. The news pointed out
that some private school bus service operators do not follow proper safety procedures when dealing with young
children. Overload, over-speed had been involved. This may easy to pose a danger to the passengers, especially
young children. I am writing to provide some suggestions in case of something can be improved.

At the beginning, tighten the law. Since the law which is focus on school bus safety is unclear and indirectly, private
school bus service operator have been difficult to subject by the government. Therefore, redefining legislation can
show them the safety criterias accurately. Also, the government should strengthen law enforcement. This can build
an atmosphere that private operators is also need to regulate by government.

Moreover, the government should provide appropriate training for the school bus drivers, especially on private
school bus. In fact, the majority of school bus drivers is only licensed to drive. Some of the licensed driver have not
enough safety awareness. While they go on the road, this will pose the potential risk to them and other user traffic
on the road. Providing a regular course for them can remind them the appropriate driving attitude of school bus.
Taking the course at every 2-3 years after they licensed maybe a suitable period.

Apart from this, educate the general public maybe another effective way to put an end to this situation. No matter
the social media or the governmental official website, there is a lack of information for people to know about the
school bus safety and how to report the illegal school bus company. Therefore, the government should put on more
information about school bus on different way, such as advertise on TV channel and leaflets. Nevertheless, parent
should also play a role to remind their children. While the school bus services have any problem, children need to tell
their parents in order to take the initiative reporting to their children’ s school as soon as possible.

Finally, everyone in this city are also have their own responsibility to face this problem. Fundamentally, our citizens
should raise their awareness on the school bus safety. Hopefully, this issue will not be a hottest topic again.

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

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Proposal – Photo-Sharing Space on School Intranet

Learning English through popular culture

You are a member of the student council. Many students have expressed interest in having a photograph-sharing
space on the school's intranet, which only students and staff may access. Students would like to be able to post their
photos of school events and download photos posted by other students.
Write a proposal to Ms. Chan, head of information technology, suggesting a photograph-sharing space on the
school’s intranet, highlighting the benefits of the proposal.
 

Dear Miss Chan

A proposal of a photograph-sharing space

I am writing to propose a photograph sharing space on the school’s intranet.

Introduction

Teachers and students love taking pictures during school activities. After that, they will send those picture to their
friends and share it in social platform. However, it is inconvenient for them as there is a large amount of students
and staff at school. They are now expressing interest in creating a photograph sharing space on the school’s intranet.

Designs

This space can only be accessed by students and staff. Once they login, they can post their own photos to the space
and download photos posted by others.

Benefits

This space can help keep a record of all the activities that have been held in the past. When students are missing
some of the activities and they want to review it again, they can go to the space and search for a large amount of
relevant photos. Those photos are the happy moments of the students. Once the students look at these photos,
memories will be brought up to their minds again. They can keep these photos as memory forever.

Furthermore, this space provides the functions of exchanging photos. Not only viewing the photos, you can also
upload and download photos. When you access the space, you may find yourself or your friends appearing at other’s
photo. You can save it and keep it as yours. Also, you might have taken photos of your classmates in some of the
activities, such as performance and competition. You can upload it and let them have a look of themselves. By
exchanging photos, this space provides a feeling of family, which staff and students from the same school can share

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their memories without the public knowing. This help creating a better relation between students and the school.
And students will feel like they are part of the school.

Another thing is that, this school album can help provide the details of each school activities. As everyone can upload
their photos, not even a small detail will be missed. Activities such as Carnival and athletic meets are in larger scale,
so students are not able to attend all the games and matches. Through this space, students get to know the past
they have missed. They can know more about the activity. For students who are absent on the activity, they will
know what has happened if they look at the photos in the space.

This photograph sharing space benefits both teachers and students. I hope this space can be successfully created,
thus photo can be share conveniently. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Wong
Member of the student council

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Report 1 – Hong Kong Cinemas

You are working on a project entitled ‘Cinema in Hong Kong’ for the learning English though popular
culture module and have found that fewer people go to cinemas than before. Write a report to explain
why this is happening and to suggest what could be done to increase the number of moviegoers. Give
reasons to support your suggestion.

Report on Cinemas in Hong Kong

Introduction 

        With the advancement of technology and internet, people nowadays are more easy to find a film to
watch either in mobile phone or computer. That makes fewer people go to cinema than before. This report
is going to express why this is happening and suggest some solution to increase the number of moviegoers.

Why it is happening

There are three justifications why fewer people go to watch a movie in the cinema than before. First and
foremost, they think watching films in cinema are quite uncomfortable. Because when they are watching a
movie, some of the audiences often forget to switch off their mobile phones and their mobile phone
suddenly ring and lead to disturbing another audience. According to a survey that comes from Hong Kong
Film Production, they claimed that over 85% of moviegoers had been experienced to get disturbed from
the others while watching a movie. It shows that why fewer people go to the cinema than before. Even
more, people can watch the film that they are interested in from the internet too. In addition, the cinemas
also insufficient of privacy.

Secondly is the high inflation of Hong Kong. The things that you can enjoy in Hong Kong almost expensive.
For instance, if you want to enter the theme parks of Hong Kong, you need to pay at least $500 for the
ticket. In fact, watching a movie in cinema also so. In the past, people only need to pay $5 to enter the
cinema but now, people need to pay $65 for the movie ticket. If people need to pay $65 to watch a movie
for once, they would rather buy a DVD and watch it at home with no restriction than watching in the
cinema. Therefore one of the reasons that why fewer people go to cinemas than before is because of the
higher price of the movie ticket.

Thirdly, in Hong Kong, most of the people are the life of hustle and bustle, which means they need to work
with a ‘non-stop’ way situation. So far people used to connect others by watching a movie in the cinema in
the bygone days. However, people nowadays are no need to use this way to connect each other. They can
connect others in different ways now, for example, having a fine dining, hiking, even using ‘face-time’. It
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also ludicrous that when some people finally have done their work and wants to watch a film in the cinema
but the broadcast time has already finished. Therefore they cannot watch the movie in the cinema and
then they prefer to watch it on their smart phones. Furthermore, most tourist, if not all, visit Hong Kong
only for shopping. They wouldn’t like to watch a movie in Hong Kong cinemas. Undeniably, it adds insult to
injury.

What could be done to increase the number of moviegoers

To begin with, the company which owns a cinema can provide more offers and discount to the people and
to engage more people back to the cinema to watch a film. After providing these kinds of offers, more
people will back to the cinema again.
 
Another suggestion is to upgrade the cinemas' facilities (such as the chair, all-rounded sound system). With
the one who said that it is uncomfortable to watch a movie in the cinema, after upgrading these facilities,
they may feel more comfortable.
 
Last but not least, to apply the Hong Kong citizens demand, the filming company can consider making the
broadcast time longer so as to let the hectic people have a chance to watch the movie that they are
wanted to watch.

Conclusion

Uncomfortable, expensive of the movie ticket and life of hustle and bustle are the reasons why fewer
people go to cinema than before. For these kinds of reasons, provide more offers and discount, upgrade
the facilities and make the broadcast time longer are the solutions to make more people back to the
cinema to watch a film.

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Report 2 – Rising of NEETs A
2017 paper2 Q7

You are working on a project entitled Hong Kong NETTs .NETTs are young people who are not in education,
empolyment or training. Many of these young people spend their time at home playing video games or
surfing the internet.

Write a report to explain why the number of NEETs in Hong Kong is rising and suggest what can be done to
help these youths.Give reasons to support your suggestions.

Do you know what is NEETs?

If you often care our community and read a local newspaper, I guess that you would know the answer.
Surely, NETTs means teenagers who are not in education, employment or training and just stay at home to
enjoy the video and computer games. According to the latest report, the number of NEETs is lifting
significantly. This phenomenon is very urgent that we need to combat it. Therefore, Iwould exhaust three
reasons of this phenomenon and three waies that can help NEETs.

The very first reason is electronic devices are so prevalent that causees many teenagers addict to it. As
we know, nowadays people can buy variety of electronic devices easily. Such as PS4,Xbox360. Not only this
devices are not expensive,but also are so appealing to use. Since most teenagers are bad at self-control,
they are easy to addict to these games.Thereby,more and more young people would become NEETs as their
self-control of ability is low and are deeply attracted by electronic devices.

Along with addicting electronic devices, but also lacking supervision of parents are the main reason that
lead this phenomenon. Parents plays a vital role on raising children and enlightening a correct life attitude
for teenagers. When parents always do not know monitor their children or communicate with them,
teenagers would give up their study or work. Therefore, they are reluctant to shoulder any responsility on
study or work and just stay at home. Unfortunately, the majority of work in Hong Kong often need to work
over time, so they do not jave adequate time to monitor their children. As a result, it causes the amount of
NEETs in Hong Kong to keep enhancing.

The last reason that we never be oblivious is teenagers are dearth of support and care during facing the
failures. It is the well-known fact that most local parents only spend a little time on family
communication .Besides , teachers also need to under a great work pressure, they all lack time to offer
support to teenagers. Therefore, when teenagers are experience failures ,nobody would provide some
mental or material assist to them. When they are prolonged to face the miserable incident, they would be
afraid to study or work. They scary to meet any failures and hindrances strongly.It also affects them to avoid
any plight through being a NEET.

Above all, clearly did me explain the reasons of that phenomenon.Next, let me suggest three waies to
help them.

The first way is holding some interest courses for NEETs. Some NEETs do not know what their life
meaning is, so they would not like to face the world and be passive to life. Thereby, they can wxplore their
advantages and life meaning through this courses. Namely is swimming courses,singing courses.That enable
to inspire their to life actively and strengthen their practical skills. As a result, they would be brave and

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confident to study or work.

Besides, reminding their parents to spend more time to communicate with them, that is efficient
solution. Not only parents can console their children when they feel upset, but also can share some
happiness to them. Therefore, teenagers can know that they are not alone to face all matter and be willing
to face up to their life. It is since they understand that their parents would help them to ease all problems.
As a result, More communication time is the crucial key on helping NEETs.

The last way is organization some NEETs teams to help with each other. NEETs may not be easy to
overcome their plight. Also, they would nervous to treat with others, so we can organizate some teem that
all are NEETs. Because their background are similar, they would open their mind to understant with each
other. They also can play some boardgames and do exercise together. As long as they able to cultivate
confidence and self-esteem on the process, they can face up to the real world and give up to be a NEET.

To sum up, the problem of NEETs is grave nad solving it is very difficult.However we all incumbent to
alleviate the problem, so I hope we can make effort to help NEETs.

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Report 3 – Rising of NEETs B

2017dse English-p2

NEETS refers to the young people who are not involved in education, employment or training. Recently, there is a
report stating that the number of Hong Kong NEETS has largely escalated that may one day harm the city as they do
not assimilate into society. In this report, we would investigate this issue by finding out the culprits behind this
phenomenon— the less competitiveness of the youth and the high self-esteem of them and suggest a feasible approach
for this matter.

First and foremost, the occurrence of NEETS is primarily due to the weaker competitiveness of Hong Kong
youngsters. Hong Kong, an affluent city, it is a magnet for people from all walks of life to have further study in order
to horn their skills and earn a better living. This people are usually equipped with a prominent curriculum vitae, a
plentiful experience and have a distant eyesight. In the comparison with the local, they have a tremendous supremacy
which makes them easier to reap the employers’ recognition in the workplace. This, more and better opportunities are
given to these talented people. Meanwhile, Hong Kong young people do not share the enormous social networks and
are not comprehensively skilful was as do they. Their position in the company begin to sway and are easy to be
supplanted. In the long term, as they cannot outpace those people, they are adhere to drop out from the work which
causes an rising of NEETs.

What makes the problem even worse is that the young refuse to be involved in an career they do not like. Given that
the young people are at large having a high self-esteem, they do not want to work in a job with an deficit of interest
regardless of the crunch. Thus, they succumb to have part-time jobs. Owing to the fact that they do not have a proper
job, their income plummets that hardly can they maintain a qualified live. As a result, they may find it tough to earn a
living and are deprived of hope. The situation exacerbates that they tend to be an introvert, staying at home for
lifelong doing nothing but indulging themselves in the virtual world where gives them a sense of comfort and allows
them to extricate from the cruel reality.

Thanks to the two scourges mentioned above, we now have an in-depth understanding of NEETs. In a bid to help
them, we suggest various solutions.

To commence with, we suggest holding a variety of workshops and activities for them to find their strengths and
sharpen their skills. The crime reason of being dismissed is because of the deficiency of a rich experience and
knowledge. It is feasible for the government or related departments to hold more workshops that offer a multifaceted
topics and skills like problem-solving skills and ability to hold some events.

To throughly enrich the young, the government can embolden them to have further study by providing subsidies for
them to have further study. It is universally acknowledged that the fees for further study is expensive that may burden
normal citizens with financial difficulties. Therefore, they are more likely to remain the situation. Nonetheless, it is
not an perpetual mean to cope with the shortfall of skills, if the government can subsidise their study for a better future
planning, More youngsters are encouraged to take up some courses, for instance, they may have some English lessons
which allow them to have a fluent communication with their clients. This act can encourage young people to enhance
their skills and competence.

The above measures are suitable and advisable to bring into play in order to cope with the rising of Hong Kong
NEETs. The problem of NEETs should not be neglected that citizens from all strata of society should make an
concerted effort in the midst of the raise of NEETs.

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Speech – Careers Team Sharing Guest

Question: You graduated from secondary school last year and you are currently studying at university. You have
been invited by the Careers Team of your secondary school to give a speech to S6 students, giving them advice on
how to prepare for the HKDSE, what to pay attention to when choosing what programme to study at university, how
to deal with pressure, etc. Writ the speech.

Advice On Preparing HKDSE And Future To S6 Students

Good morning everyone,

I am glad that to be invited to share my experience to all of you today. Last year, I had my HKDSE exam and I know
that it is a difficult time to prepare for the exam so I am going to give you some tips for preparing the HKDSE as
following.

To prepare for the HKDSE, I had working on my physical health. It is important that you keep your health. If you
were sick during the time of revision, it cause you getting a slower process to study. As you know, it is hard to
concentrate on working when you was sick, you may feel sleepy and tired after having medicine. So, keeping a strong
body with good health is important. I used to have a jogging during my study leave period every day, I know it maybe
hard for you to spare your time from studying and you may think it is useless. But, it actually only takes about 30
minuets to an hour for you to do a physical exercise. Some poll have resulted that if you can have a short relax time
from working, it helps to raise the performance of your work.

Besides, you should also keep your mental health, I once felt so stress before the post mock ,at the time, I had
studying all day long and having so much pressure on studying, it turns out that my result on the mock exam was not
ideal. And it had even deepen my pressure. Miss Kong, our religious studies teacher, I think you all know her , she
has helped me a lot on my stress , after having result on the mock exam , she found that I have too much pressure so
she has had a talk with me to straighten me out of the pessimistic. She thought me that we can pray and give our
worries to god, the god will help us to solve the problem and she always told me to share the problems I met during
the revision time to her. I did think that it is important that to find a person that you trust to talk with and share your
worries to him or her.

As I know that some of you are still uncertain for choosing what programme to study at university, I am going to
give some advice for you to choose a programme that is suitable for you. First, it is important that you ding your own
interest on the programme, as an experienced person, I used to choose education as my first choice, but after doing
research, I found that I am more suitable to study in Chinese. So it is important to do more research on the
programmes. If you are still not clear about what to choose, you can dissuss with your family and teachers. They will
help with giving you advice.

I know that most of you feeling stress on the HKDSE exam.But please remember to relax yourself, I know it is a hard
time to past but I hope that you all can stay strong and try your best, if the result is not that good, don’t give up, you

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can still find your dream in the future, at last, I am here to hope that you all can get a good result and hope that my
advice can help with your HKDSE exam.

Thank you.

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Story – Power Shortage of Department Store

Topic: Power failure

One evening while you were shopping in a large department store, a power failure happened. Write the story.

It is universally acknowledged that Li Yu Mun department store is a high-class department store which is hailed as
the best department store in Hong Kong. However, one evening, while I was shopping in Li Yu Mun department
store, a power failure happened! It let me down because I used to be confident of the standard of service of this
department store……

When I was choosing a birthday present for my grandmother in the department store, all of a sudden, the lights
went off and the department store was then in complete darkness. The power failure has put quite a few customers
in a predicament. All people were groaning about the preposterous situation. ‘Mum! Where are you? I am so afraid!
Why I can’t see you?’. Some people screamed and some people attempted to cracked down on the manager of the
department store. And for me, I thought it was an provoking! The department store was packed with thousands of
people! It was extremely hard to move. Some people tried to turn on their mobile phones for torches and I was at
the point of taking my mobile phone from my handbag, I remember that I have left it inside my locker. I was in
complete panic not only because of the scary plight, but also the lost of my mobile phone. As a result, I just could
stand there with strangers for more than 3 hours.

Suddenly, the manager stood in front of us with torches with give out bright light. However, I was not happy to see
the light again as the manager was pointing his torch towards my eyes. After a while, the manager spoke in a not
quite friendly manner: 'Dear customers, the power failure will be handled as soon as possible. So sorry for causing
inconvenience! Please keep quiet and wait patiently!' Then, he went away. Some people yelled and asked the
manager to report the condition, but he did not turn back. I believed he was a deaf person.

A couple of hours has passed. I was extremely exhausted and tried to find a place to have a rest while I had to be
careful that I would not hurt the others. I eventually found a place that not much people were there. Suddenly, some
terrible smell come to my nose. Was it the chicken or beef inside the fridge which had gone back? Or it was the smell
of the people next to me as I heard somebody's boyfriend or husband said: 'Darling, you have sweated a lot, calm
down! I will be with you…...' It made me want to vomit, not because of the disgusting words the man had said, but
the smell from likely the frozen food or sweat. Therefore, I could not withstand it and I had to find another place
again. At the time, I could experience the life of a blind people. It was really a hardship! As a result, I learned that we
should help the blind people in our daily life!

After so many hours, the lights were on again. Thousands of people flocked to the exit and left for home. The
security guard just simply stood near the exit and averted himself from the problems. His face made me think that
he was pretending he was blind. This incident has aroused much controversy among different people. Some people
thought that it was not the fault of the managements of the department store while some people stood on an other
side and tried to take some photos of the department store to post this irritating incident on the social media sites
and told their friends not to come to this department store anymore. No doubt, I was the latter. After some time, a
woman went to the manager and asked the manager why this ridiculous situation would happen such a large
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department store. He answered with a snobbish attitude: 'Madam, we are not expecting this kind of accidents too, it
is just an accident! Certainly not our fault! Okay? Also, if you are not happy with this, don’t come!' His attitude was
intolerable. Nevertheless, the woman had no way to complaint about this by virtue of the truth that he was the
largest one among all the managements who are presented there on that day. I was so irritated! If I had had brought
my phone, I would have taken much photos of the manager and complained his attitude of service. Then, I came
down on the manager loudly: 'Hey! sir, I think we all have rights to know the truth! No matter whether it is your
company's fault or not, you should not talk to the customers in this way, right? Please apologise to this madam.' I
saw some people around me nod their heads. However the manager was not only unwilling to apologize, but he also
blamed me that I was disturbing other customers and called the security guard to bring me out from the department
store. As a result, I decided to write a letter of complaint to the owner of the owner of the department store to
express my strong disappointment.

'It was a sarcastic and infuriating experience and I will not go shopping there anymore unless the manager and
willing to apologise and enhance his snobbish attitude.' I thought. Oh! It was 9:00 pm already! My mother were
waiting at me for dinner. She would have been so worried about me. I had to hurry up ……

(847 words)

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Personal Statement
BU Film Studies Personal Statement

My passion for film studies is a long marathon which began during the early stages of my cognitive development. In
my formative years, I was a frequent customer of Fanling Cinema, a non-digital old style cinema. This local 3rd
grades historic building was the symbol of my childhood and it further developed as a reflection of my rising
aspiration today.

My artistic exploration started from in-school drama clubs that I participated in FLSS. Despite the small scale of
performances, it provided an unique opportunity for me, a high school student in a standardized force-feeding
education, to explore the world by performing different characters. In 2015, a short-term participation of a
professional film production names " 逆回旋" in RTHK turn my journey to the next chapter. This involvement gives
me an detailed look about the film industry behind the television. Beside earning a better understanding of the crew
cooperation, I found it even more attractive about its human connection and creativity. To me, film is a platform for
us to speak up our mind,our creativity and our believes.In this elitism society, I found a field with people simply
doing what they are passionate about.

In order to broaden my horizon for my future career, I decided to study abroad in Vancouver Island, one of the
biggest backstage of Hollywood. I enjoy being part of the community and making connection with people from
multicultural background,as it is thought-provoking to receive and share ideas with others.I also volunteered at the
Esquimalt Recreation Centre, where I taught sewing to children.In order to develop my critical thought about
contemporary society,I participated in Model United Nations as one of the candidates for the Social, Humanitarian &
Cultural Committee at Cahsmun. The discussion about the Xinjiang and Tibet was an invaluable opportunity for me
to review how a cultural background influences a country’s position and character in global issues. My study of Social
Studies and History in two countries has also given me the opportunity to contrast the different visions of historical
events resulting from the contrasting ideologies of the countries. It is easy to recognize the different views on certain
topics, such as World War I. This educational difference on reveals a little bit more about the different perspective
from western movies and eastern production.

Moreover, I started making short-video with partners to develop my knowledge about filming. From brainstorming
to editing, it is definitely something challenging to be motivated and self-disciplined. Yet, I still believe my passion for
film studies is boundless,and it will be a lifelong interest for me to explore. I want to offer new ideas to film industry
as I believe it will provide me environment to become a life-learner. The deconstruction of human connection in
communication subject will be a great tool to gain reflection on my own cognitive development.The communication
program in HKBU is the oldest communication school in Hong Kong and its broad network and the practical method
of education is extremely valuable for my future path,and I convinced that I can make a positive contribution to
HKBU and Hong Kong movie industry. Therefore, I am eager to pursue an in-depth education in the school of
Communication.

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CityU Social Work Personal Statement

The City University of Hong Kong is a university with a simple spirit and also the hard work, I believe it is a good spirit
we should held in our life, so. I sincerely hope I can study in City University. When it comes to Social Work, people
will probably think it is a dull job as the assistance is endless. But, I enjoy the feeling of helping people and I think I
am patient enough to devote myself to solve the problems of the needy. I love sharing, I love listening, doing these
little things can really make a difference in someone’s life, whatever for the mental patient, elderly, or stressful
students or those different people. I am a communicative person, I have to be the communicator between my
frustrated mother and stressful father, they have arguments consistent, and I have to counsel them one by one.
During the interaction, I feel satisfy after solving their problem. Not because they are my parents, the main reason is
that I love the feeling of helping people. Knowing that secondary schooling  is in no way adequate for my future
career development, I believe that there is no better way to receive comprehensive education to polish my critical
thinking and counselling skills by tertiary education. My aim is to use everything I get in university to contribute to
society. In order to achieve the aim, I would like to choose to study in Social Work in the future. 
 
Solving the social problem like poverty is not an easy work, but I am convinced that a single step can help the
underprivileged and the disadvantaged a little bit more, therefore I play an active role in voluntary work. I grab every
golden opportunity of being a volunteer, ranging from visiting the elderly with suicide history, being a helper in a
carnival, teaching the elderly computer basic skills through ‘Elder Academy Scheme’ to selling flags. Engaging in
those charity works would give me more opportunities to contribute to the society and I am trained to be a
considerate person. I could understand people needs and communicate with strangers without any hesitations. I
have taken an active part in community volunteer service. In April 2016, I was trained by the social worker from the
Suicide Prevention Services to be a volunteer, after the training, we have to visit the elderly living in the elderly
center and the home of the elderly who has the suicide history in the past. Fortunately, they are willing to share
their private life with me. What is more, I found lots of the difficulties of the elderly, and I acknowledge that not a
single visiting could help them to solve the problem, for instance, we could not help them to relieve the lonely and
mad emotion through a few hours chatting. Therefore, I hope I could be a social worker to help the disadvantaged in
a more resourceful way. From knowing the disadvantaged group in the society, I found that I am a lucky one in the
society that I can learn, play or do the things I want. So, I have the responsibilities to contribute to the society. My
passion and enthusiasm force me to devote my life to social work 
 
Being friendly, optimistic and helpful are the reasons why people would like to make friends with me. I love to listen
and sharing, this is also a necessary part between the client and the social worker, through the  interaction, the social
worker could understand the most of the client, and provide the appropriate help to them, but I believe the most
important thing inside the interaction is to provide caring and love to the client and let them feel, they are not just a
client of a social worker, but also a friend of the social work. 
 
I hope I can receive all-round education, enrich my problem-solving, counseling and communication skills, as well as
polish my critical thinking. I believe that the knowledge which I get from the learning opportunities and the
experiences of the tertiary education, can help me to contribute to the society, I believe my life in the foreseeable
future will be bright.

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