TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Level 5 exemplar 1

Level 5 exemplar 2

Level 4 exemplar 1

Level 4 exemplar 2

Level 3 exemplar 1

Level 3 exemplar 2

Level 2 exemplar 1

Level 2 exemplar 2

Level 1 exemplar 1

Level 1 exemplar 2

 INTRODUCTION

To enhance understanding of the standards of the HKDSE Examination, authentic samples of

candidates’ scripts in the 2015 examination are selected to form this set of exemplars which serve to
illustrate the typical performance standards at different levels.

There are four papers in this subject. This set of exemplars is selected from candidates’ scripts of
Paper 3 to illustrate the typical performance standards at different levels.

It is advisable to read this set of exemplars together with the question papers and the marking schemes
in order to understand the requirements of the questions and the marking criteria. The question papers
and the marking schemes are published in the Examination Report and Question Papers for 2015
HKDSE Examination.

1
Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

10

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

11

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

12

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

13

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 10

14

Level 5 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 10

15

Level 5 exemplar 1

Comments

• The candidate shows a good comprehension of all listening tasks in Part 3A including those
which include complex texts with an elaborated argument, narrative or expressed attitudes.
• The candidate interprets all Data File instructions appropriately and has included most
relevant information in the texts created.
• The candidate uses a wide range of written sentence structures and demonstrates an ability to
skillfully manipulate the Data File material.
• The candidate’s writing is generally accurate, although by no means error-free. Most
noticeably there is a frequent awkwardness in expression. However any errors that occur do
not affect meaning.
• Register, tone and style are generally appropriate to the tasks. The candidate shows a good
ability to adapt language for the genre, though Task 10 does display quite an abrupt style in
places.
• The organization is coherent throughout, though the candidate does tend to over-rely on
paragraph-initial connectives.

16
Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

17

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

18

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

19

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

20

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

21

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

22

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

23

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

24

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 8

25

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 8

26

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

27

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

28

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part 3B Task 10

29

Level 5 exemplar 2

Part 3B Task 10

30

Level 5 exemplar 2

Comments

• The candidate shows a good comprehension of all listening tasks in Part 3A including those
which include complex texts with an elaborated argument, narrative or expressed attitudes.
• The candidate interprets all Data File instructions appropriately and has included most
relevant information in the texts created.
• The candidate uses a wide range of written sentence structures and demonstrates a good
ability to skillfully manipulate the Data File material, though there are some issues related to
appropriacy from over-copying.
• The candidate’s writing is generally accurate. Errors are present. However any errors that
occur do not affect meaning.
• Register, tone and style are generally appropriate to the tasks.
• The organization of the texts is very clear throughout. This is helped by a clear concise style.

31
Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

32

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

33

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

34

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

35

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

36

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

37

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

38

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

39

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

40

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

41

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

42

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

43

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 10

44

Level 4 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 10

45

Level 4 exemplar 1

Comments

• The candidate shows a good comprehension of all listening tasks in Part 3A including those
which include complex texts with an elaborated argument, narrative or expressed attitudes.
• The candidate manages to follow the Data File instructions appropriately and includes most
relevant information across the three tasks.
• In terms of manipulation of the Data File material, this candidate shows a good ability to
integrate material and convey meaning but there are some quite obtrusive grammatical errors.
• Register, tone and style are generally appropriate for the task with the candidate showing
some ability to adapt language for the genre.
• The organization is generally coherent. However, particularly in Task 9, the candidate
struggles to keep the information concise enough for the purpose of the task.

46
Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

47

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

48

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

49

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

50

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

51

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

52

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

53

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

54

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 8

55

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 8

56

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

57

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

58

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 10

59

Level 4 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 10

60

Level 4 exemplar 2

Comments

• The candidate shows a good comprehension of all listening tasks in Part 3A including those
which include complex texts with an elaborated argument, narrative or expressed attitudes.
• The candidate manages to follow the Data File instructions appropriately.
• In terms of the manipulation of Data File material, this candidate shows a good ability to
integrate material and convey meaning. However, there are a number of grammatical errors in
this area.
• Register, tone and style are generally appropriate and s/he shows some ability to adapt his/her
own language to the task, though there are definite limitations as regards style and register.
• The organization is generally coherent though the candidate does have issues with being
concise enough to maintain a strong coherence, particularly in Task 9.

61
Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

62

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

63

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

64

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

65

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

66

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

67

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

68

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

69

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

70

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

71

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

72

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

73

Level 3 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 10

74

Level 3 exemplar 1

Comments

• The candidate shows a good comprehension of the more straightforward listening tasks in
Part 3A. However, this is less evident in Task 4 where candidates were required to follow an
elaborated argument.
• The candidate locates most relevant information from the Data File.
• In terms of manipulation of language from the Data File, this candidate makes an attempt to
integrate the material, though this could be done better.
• His/her own sentence structures tend to contain quite obtrusive errors though these do not
generally affect understanding.
• Register, tone and style are only rudimentarily demonstrated. The candidate does try to
produce the correct text type in each task but the limitations in language make this less than
successful.
• The organization is reasonable though there is an overreliance on sentence-initial connectors
e.g. actually, finally.

75
Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

76

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

77

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

78

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

79

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

80

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

81

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

82

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

83

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 8

84

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 8

85

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

86

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

87

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 9

88

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 10

89

Level 3 exemplar 2

Part B2 Task 10

90

Level 3 exemplar 2

Comments

• The candidate shows a good comprehension of the more straightforward listening tasks in
Part 3A, although this is less evident in Task 4 when s/he was asked to follow an elaborated
argument.
• The candidate locates some of the relevant information from the Data File.
• In terms of manipulation of language from the Data File, this candidate is reasonably
successful in adapting material from the Data File, although s/he could have done much better
in this aspect.
• As regards his/her own sentence structures, there is a pronounced drop in the level of
language used when this candidate attempts to write his/her own sentences rather than
manipulating the Data File material.
• The candidate shows some awareness of register, tone and style. However, when s/he writes
the main body of the text for each task, s/he follows the same formula, thus displaying
limitations in this aspect.
• The effectiveness of the organization is inconsistent. This candidate over-relies on the use of
the erroneous ‘For’ at the beginning of sentences to attempt to organize the text. This
candidate also struggles to maintain coherence in Task 9 by producing an over-long text for
the purpose.

91
Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

92

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

93

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

94

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

95

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

96

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

97

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

98

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

99

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 8

100

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 9

101

Level 2 exemplar 1

Part B2 Task 10

102

Level 2 exemplar 1

Comments

• The candidate shows some comprehension of the more straightforward listening tasks in Part
3A. S/he shows less understanding of the more complex tasks.
• The candidate locates some of the relevant information from the Data File though this is less
than satisfactory in all three tasks.
• In terms of language, this candidate makes frequent basic errors which often affect
understanding, although s/he generally manages to convey the basic meaning.
• Register, tone and style are inconsistent. The candidate does show some awareness of
audience, genre and the purpose of each task.
• The candidate makes an attempt to organize his/her writing.

103
Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

104

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

105

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

106

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

107

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

108

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

109

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

110

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

111

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part B1 Task 5

112

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part B1 Task 6

113

Level 2 exemplar 2

Part B1 Task 7

114

Level 2 exemplar 2

Comments

• The candidate shows some comprehension of the more straightforward listening tasks in Part
3A. S/he shows much less understanding of the more complex texts.
• The candidate locates some of the relevant information from the Data File. As this is 3B1 the
texts and tasks are less complex.
• In terms of language, this candidate has tried quite hard to use his/her own language wherever
possible. Unfortunately, his/her language is characterized by serious errors which often make
the text difficult to understand.
• Register, tone and style are inconsistent. Due to copying from the Data File, the audience
changes from one part of the text to another, or is unclear.
• There is an attempt at organization through the use of paragraphing.

115
Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

116

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 1

117

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

118

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 2

119

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

120

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 3

121

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

122

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part A Task 4

123

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part B1 Task 5

124

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part B1 Task 6

125

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part B1 Task 6

126

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part B1 Task 7

127

Level 1 exemplar 1

Part B1 Task 7

128

Level 1 exemplar 1

Comments

• This candidate shows some understanding of some straightforward explicit information in 3A

but very little in Tasks 3 and 4.
• S/he includes occasionally relevant pieces of information, in each of the three tasks in 3B1.
However, they are characterized by indiscriminate and often irrelevant copying from the Data
File.
• Almost all of the candidate’s work is entirely copied verbatim from Data File. Whenever s/he
has to rely on his/her own language, it is very difficult to understand.
• There is no evidence of an ability to adapt tone or register, though s/he does show some
awareness of audience in Task 7 and of text type.
• There is an attempt at organizing the texts in Tasks 6 and 7 but within the paragraphs
coherence tends to break down.

129
Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

130

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 1

131

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

132

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 2

133

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

134

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 3

135

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

136

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part A Task 4

137

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part B1 Task 5

138

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part B1 Task 6

139

Level 1 exemplar 2

Part B1 Task 7

140

Level 1 exemplar 2

Comments

• This candidate shows some understanding of some straightforward explicit information in 3A

but very little in Tasks 3 and 4.
• He/she locates some relevant information and has transferred it from the simple texts in the
3B1 Data file. However, much of this information is irrelevant or incongruous.
• Much of the candidate’s work is copied verbatim from Data File. Where the candidate uses
his/her own language, this is characterized by being extremely difficult to understand.
• Since much is copied verbatim, there is no real sense of the candidate being able to adapt
language for style or register. However, s/he does show some audience awareness in all three
tasks and some knowledge of the general features of different text types.
• There is an attempt to organize the texts into rudimentary paragraphs and coherent text in Task
6.

141