Text 3

Time for Hong Kong to give its backing to bicycle culture

[1] A team of international specialists on a recent consultancy visit to Hong Kong was full of praise for the city’s public
transport system, which regularly appears at or near the top of travellers’ ‘Best Of …’ lists. However, the delegates
condemned Hong Kong’s cycling infrastructure, which compares poorly with those of other urban areas of similar size
and climate. Coupled with a lack of paths and facilities for cycling was an unacceptable exposure to air pollution. How
5 can we do one thing so well, and another so badly? Has our city’s eco-friendliness sunk to a new low?

[2] The Transport Department admits there is a problem. Roads are either supercharged highways on which cyclists are
at risk of being knocked down, or narrow backstreets where hidden dangers lurk: the careless driver on the phone, speeding
moped or oblivious jaywalker. And, of course, everywhere riders go, they are never safe from the exhaust fumes and
unforgiving summer heat. As a final insult, they are denied secure parking for their often valuable machines.

10 [3] Accused of back-pedalling on previous promises, the government is keen to show that it is investing in pedal power
by backing the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority’s plan to equip its 1.8 km waterfront site with bike lanes. The
idea is to encourage visitors to hire one of 50 available bikes (rising to 80 by the summer) and pedal off from 10 am
on weekends and public holidays (2 pm on weekdays). It is hoped that this will inspire casual riders to welcome the
bicycle into other spheres of their lives besides recreation, like commuting and running errands.

15 [4] Meanwhile, the Authority looks to further develop the available cycle-friendly routes through the district as the site
expands, and has already formed partnerships with the BiciLine Cycling Eco-Tourism Social Enterprise, under the Tung
Wah Group of Hospitals. It seems many hands make light work on the important issue of pedalling for a greener, healthier,
and more connected Hong Kong. Time will tell if ordinary Hong Kongers rise to the challenge. Should they decide to give
their backing to the bike, the authorities will have to work fast to make sure that all roads across the territory are accessible
20 to this old yet stylish mode of transport.

END OF READING PASSAGES

AIO (Vol.1) • Paper 1 • Supp MT (Reading – Part B1) 8

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 Read Text 3 and answer questions 39-52. (25 marks)

39. The word ‘specialists’ (line 1) refers to people.

A. mean
B. expert
C. special A B C D
D. worldly

40. Who are ‘the delegates’ (line 2)?

A. the international specialists

B. Hong Kong citizens
C. travellers A B C D
D. cyclists

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

41. What do ‘one thing’ and ‘another’ (lines 4-5) refer to? (2 marks)

‘one thing’:

‘another’:

42. Which of the following is closest in meaning to ‘oblivious’ (line 8)?

A. clear
B. careless
C. dangerous A B C D
D. unfortunate

43. What are four challenges of cycling in Hong Kong that the writer identifies? (4 marks)

a)

b)

c)

d)

44. Find a word in paragraph 3 that means ‘failing to deliver’.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

AIO (Vol.1) • Paper 1 • Supp MT (Q-A – Part B1) 10

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 45. Complete the following sentence using information from paragraph 3. You may use more than one word to fill in
the blank.

‘Casual riders’ are riders who .

46. The West Kowloon Cultural District offers several services for cyclists. Put a tick ( ) next to each opportunity that
is offered.

hiring a bike on-site

hiring specialist equipment

biking available throughout the week

buying souvenirs to inspire friends

1.8 km of waterside pedalling

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

47. The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority’s plan is an initiative to …

A. teach Hong Kong citizens to ride bikes.

B. rent bicycles to as many people as possible.
C. show off new waterfront views to young cyclists. A B C D
D. introduce the practical aspects of cycling to the public.

48. Complete the following sentence based on paragraphs 3 and 4. Use ONE word for each blank. (Hyphenated words
count as one word.) (4 marks)

Hong Kong bikers should be pleased to know that the is finally taking a more

proactive stance towards promoting the culture through its proposal for a cycling

project by the in the Western Kowloon Cultural District, to be co-run with the

49. For each of the following cyclists, blacken the circle of the organisation whose work is more likely to address their
concerns. Blacken ONE circle only for each statement. (2 marks)

The West Kowloon

The Transport
Cultural District
Department
Authority

Cyclist A: I want to take my friend somewhere I can introduce

her to the joy of cycling.

Cyclist B: The available routes near my flat are simply not wide
enough. I need them to be extended.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

AIO (Vol.1) • Paper 1 • Supp MT (Q-A – Part B1) 11 Go on to the next page
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 50. Find a phrase in paragraph 4 that means ‘the more people the better’.

51. What is the ‘challenge’ (line 18) that Hong Kongers face?

52. Decide whether the following statements are True, False, or the information is Not Given in Text 3. Blacken ONE
circle only for each statement. (4 marks)

T F NG
i) The writer considers Hong Kong’s hot summer a turn-off
for cycling activities.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

ii) There had been proposals by the government regarding the

provision of more and better cycle-friendly facilities before
the West Kowloon Cultural District cycling project.
iii) Most Hong Kongers are supportive of building more bike lanes.

iv) The writer sees cycling in an unfavourable light.

END OF PART B1

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

AIO (Vol.1) • Paper 1 • Supp MT (Q-A – Part B1) 12

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