@pamsstudy @pamsmusic

Steps
1. Read ‘Situation’: your name + the boss’s name + company’s name
2. Read the letter from the boss (instructions)
3. Use three different colours of highlighters, one for each task (← my own personal method, not a must)
4. Before reading the sources in data file, read the answer sheets first
● check the mark allocation
● check whether the tasks require information from ‘your notes’ (i.e. data file listening)
5. Skim through the sources and categorize them into different tasks. Do not start finding content points.
6. Skim through the sources until the song ends the first time
7. Go to the listening page and prepare for the listening

Reminders
● There is no need to use all the information in the listening notes (some are for task B1 or B2 only)

Evaluation of past papers

(A) Summary (2017 DSE)
- Keep the content concise and informative. Avoid redundancy.

1. (Heading) Summary of __(staff opinions)__ on the plan of ____

2. Subheadings
- There are opinions that ...
- It is suggested that the ___ should be made into the ___, and we could have ___
- Some staff members are of the view (formal expression)
- It is recommended that verb (+ing)
- Some of us suggested/ proposed/ recommended that verb (+ing) allowing visitors

(B) Webpage for a company (2017 DSE)

- Tone should be positive self-promotion
- Use of pronouns: ‘we’ or ‘company’s name’ to show sense of idendity

○ Welcome to our webpage!

○ (company) has always been dedicated to doing sth. since our establishment.
○ We are proud to declare that
○ We pledge to do our best to
○ We hope that our projects will have your utmost support for the years to come
○ These measures are indicative of our commitment to (doing sth.)
○ We look forward to your continued support to our company.
○ If you are interested in xxx, come and visit us!
@pamsstudy @pamsmusic

(C) Letter of invitation (2017 DSE)

○ I am writing to cordially invite

○ It would be of great help if you could
○ I would appreciate it if you could
○ We share the same goal with you / our beliefs align with yours / we believe that your interests and
beliefs are in alignment with our firm’s belief
○ Look forward to your support
○ We hope to work with people who _____ like we do
○ (Inviting guest) Our company highly admires your passion and dedication to ____
○ Our company respects your decision
○ To voice appreciation for …(表達謝意)
○ We have decided unanimously (一致決定)
○ We look forward to receiving your favourable reply.
○ Should there be any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact me
○ We hope you will consider it genuinely

(D) Feature article / webpage (2014 DSE)

- Start by asking a question
- Tone: interactive and interesting

(E) Speech (2014 DSE)

- Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
- I am xxx from yyy.
- On behalf of yyy,I would like to thank you for coming to zzz.
- This year event couldn’t have been a huge success without your generous participation!
- It is my great pleasure to share with you
- (Raise a question) Have you ever heard about xxx?
- I hope you enjoy the other sessions of today’s open day.
- Thank you.

(F) Letter to the editor

- (上款) Dear Sir / Madam, / Dear Editor,
- I am writing, on behalf of (company’s name), in response to xxx’s letter dated (date: DD/MM/YYYY)
- (State your stance in the first paragraph) express my support for / protest about
- It is my firm belief/ conviction/ opinion that
- I am convinced that
- No need to add ‘thank you’
- (下款) Yours faithfully + sign + name + position / title + company
@pamsstudy @pamsmusic

(G) Letter of clarification (2014 2015 DSE)

○ We deplore the untrue and groundless speculations about XXX doing sth.
○ We reserve the right to legal action against those who deliberately create these rumours.
○ I am afraid that there are some misunderstandings.
○ I hope this letter can address xxx’s concerns and regain his confidence in our company.
○ We would like to reveal / unveil that ____
○ (Declaration) Yet, that is not the real picture.

(H) Letter of information (2015 DSE)

○ Thank you for your reply

○ I am writing in response to your request for information regarding ___
○ We are pleased to address your questions and we hope to relieve your worries.
○ I hope this information will be of some assistance.
○ Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

(I) Letter of request

○ I am writing to ask if you would be so generous as to / request your assistance concerning the matter
of
○ It would be greatly appreciated if you could
○ I wonder if I might ask you for / request your valuable advice on
○ Your help would be much appreciated
○ We hope that XXX will have your utmost support for the years to come
○ We hope to establish good terms with you.
○ We look forward to your favourable reply.
○ Our work and success depend on your contribution….
○ Thank you in an advance for your kind cooperation / in anticipation of
○ May I wish you all the very best of luck and a bright future ahead.

(J) Letter of giving advice

○ Thank you for you letter requesting advice about ___

○ Below is some advice on what to do.
○ I highly recommend that you (do sth.)
○ It would be a good idea to
○ You are advised to
○ Remember that
○ You may consider doing sth
@pamsstudy @pamsmusic

○ I believe your best course of actions would be

○ It is hoped that the above advice and suggestions will be of help
○ I would be delighted to offer

(K) Letter of complaint / replying to complaint

○ I am writing to express my annoyance/ dissatisfaction with/ anger at
○ I am appalled / shocked
○ far from satisfaction / do not live up to my expectation
○ I hope this matter will be dealt with as soon as possible
○ receive your immediate attention
○ I am entitled to compensation/ refund/ replacement
○ We would be grateful for constructive criticism about the programme. You are welcomed to identify
areas for improvement and provide specific suggestions on how we can improve.

(L) Letter of apology

○ I am writing to offer my apologies for
○ As a matter of fact
○ I hope that you can overlook this regrettable error

(M) Proposal
● Title: Proposal for XXX

(N) Sponsorship letter

Dear xxx

Title Request for sponsorship: (Event name)

Opening ● On behalf of … I am writing to request sponsorship from our company for

Topic sentence ● I think you must be interested in what our activity is about and how it is
beneficial to local students.

Content and ● Without a doubt, the above mentioned activity will earn both (interest of
elaboration the activity) and your company some benefits.

Ending ● It is sincerely hoped that your company could be involved in this

worthwhile project.

Asking for reply ● We do look forward to receiving your kind subsidy.

● Thank you very much for your attention.