A

ENG LANG
HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION
PAPER 1
PART A COMPULSORY

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

PART A
Reading Passages
1 hour 30 minutes
(for both Parts A and B)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

(1) There are two parts (A and B) in this paper. All candidates should attempt Part A. In Part B, you
should attempt either Part B1 (easier section) OR Part B2 (more difficult section). Candidates
attempting Parts A and B2 will be able to attain the full range of levels, while Level 4 will be the
highest level attainable for candidates attempting Parts A and B1.

(2) After the announcement of the start of the examination, you should first write your Candidate
Number on the appropriate pages of the Part A Question-Answer Book and the Part B Question-
Answer Book which you are going to attempt.

(3) Write your answers in the spaces provided in the Question-Answer Books. Answers written in the
margins will not be marked.
(4) For multiple-choice questions, you are advised to blacken the appropriate circle with a pencil so that
wrong marks can be completely erased with a clean rubber. Mark only ONE answer to each
question. Two or more answers will score NO MARKS.

(5) Supplementary answer sheets will be supplied on request. Write your Candidate Number and mark
the question number box on each sheet.

(6) No extra time will be given to candidates for filling in the question number boxes after the ‘Time is up’
announcement.
(7) The two Question-Answer Books you have attempted (one for Part A and one for Part B) will be
collected together at the end of the examination.

(8) The unused Question-Answer Book for Part B will be collected separately at the end of the
examination. This will not be marked. Do not write any answers in it.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART A

(1) The Question-Answer Book for Part A is inserted in this Reading Passages booklet.

(2) Attempt ALL questions in Part A. Each question carries ONE mark unless otherwise stated.

Not to be taken away before the end

of the examination session
PART A

Read Text 1 and answer questions 1-20 on pages 1–3 of the Question-Answer Book for Part A.

1
 Text 1
The Long and Impressive Career of Yo-Yo Ma
1 [1] In the world of classical music, there’s
no one quite like the cellist Yo-Yo Ma. His
passionate performances have made him a
household name with music fans
5 everywhere. For decades, the Chinese-
American musician has maintained his
place as one of the most dominant figures in
his field. With a career already spanning
over fifty years and global appeal, Yo-Yo
10 Ma has helped popularize the cello across
the world.
[2] Like many great musicians, Ma’s
relationship with his instrument began as a
small child. He was born in Paris in 1955.
15 Music infused every aspect of his young
life. His father was a violinist and his
mother was a singer, and both strongly
encouraged musical interest in their
children. Ma was just a toddler when his
20 parents pressured him into studying string
instruments.
[3] At first, Yo-Yo Ma followed closely in
his father’s footsteps and studied the violin.
But Ma was drawn to larger instruments.
25 When he was a very young boy, Ma
dreamed of playing the double bass, the
largest and lowest-pitched instrument in the
violin family. But this instrument proved to
be too big for the four-year-old, so he
30 settled on the cello.
[4] It didn’t take long for Ma to prove his
talent as a cellist. The year after he
committed to the instrument, he was already
giving public performances to much
35 acclaim. During this time, the family moved
to New York City, where Ma further
developed his talents and his reputation. At
the age of seven, the child prodigy was
invited to perform for US presidents Dwight
40 Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.
[5] Throughout his youth, Ma continued to
perform publicly, with appearances on a
variety of American television programmes.
His early fame only encouraged him to
2
45 deepen his musical education. As a child, he
attended a school for young professionals.
Later, as a teenager, he was admitted to the
famed Julliard School. He rounded out his
studies with a bachelor’s degree from
50 Harvard University in 1976.
[6] Although Ma had been performing since
he was five, he didn’t record his first album
until 1978. Once he got the ball rolling,
however, he never slowed down. Ma, in
55 fact, has recorded an astonishing 90 albums
over his career. Many of these break free
from the classical music mould. Ma has
experimented with a broad range of musical
genres, including pop, bluegrass, jazz,
60 tango, and samba.
[7] Of course a musician is only as good as
his instrument, and today Ma has earned the
privilege of playing on two of the most
finely crafted cellos in existence. The first is
65 a Stradivarius dating back to 1712. The
second, slightly younger, was built in 1733
by an Italian craftsman, and is currently
valued at around $2.5 million. Ma has given
this particular instrument the delightful
70 nickname ‘Petunia.’
[8] Despite the astronomical ticket price on
this cello, Ma hasn’t always been very
careful with it. In October 1999, after a very
long and exhausting day, Ma accidentally
75 forgot dear Petunia in the back of a New
York City taxi. Realizing his mistake, Ma
immediately contacted the police, who
managed to recover the lost cello. Ma, of
course, was overcome with relief when he
80 was reunited with his beloved instrument.
[9] But the temporary loss rattled him. Ever
since, he’s made sure to treat Petunia with a
good deal more care. Still, the incident
raises the question of whether musicians
85 should be trusted to play with irreplaceable,
antique instruments, or whether these
instruments should be kept safely in
museums and treated as works of art. For
 now, at least, Ma continues to play on the remarkable performances, more genre-
90 invaluable cellos. breaking albums, and more charitable
endeavours. All of this, however, will just
[10] Ma’s influence in the field of music be icing on the cake. Ma has already earned
has undoubtedly been great. But he has also 110 his place in the annals of history.
used his public profile to address concerns
beyond music. Ma’s cultural heritage is
95 particularly important to him. In 1990, he
helped found the Committee of 100, an
organization that promotes the interests of
Chinese Americans. And just a few years
ago, Ma further expanded his influence
100 when he was named a United Nations peace
ambassador.

[11] As Ma approaches his seventh decade,

his legacy becomes more firmly established.
In the years to come, we can certainly
105 expect much more from Ma—more
Read Text 2 and answer questions 21-31 on pages 3–4 of the Question-Answer Book for Part A.

Text 2

Where Did the Cello Come From?

3
 1 [1] Today, the cello is a perfectly familiar
instrument, a key part of any standard
orchestra. But where did it come from? A
look back at the origins of the cello reveals
5 an interesting history.
40 violin was tweaked to create the cello. This
new instrument, larger than the violin, but
slightly smaller than the bass violin, could
produce a sound that served as a perfect
accompaniment to the violin.

[2] String instruments, in primitive forms,
date back thousands of years. Evidence of
ancient lyres has been found in numerous
archaeological digs in ancient Mesopotamia.
10 These early string instruments, however, all
required the player to pluck strings by hand
to produce sound. It wasn’t until the 10th
century that the innovation of the bow
revolutionized string music.
45 [6] Although the cello surged in popularity
at the start of the 18th century, it was still
largely used as an accompanying instrument.
It is J.S. Bach who deserves credit for
helping to shift some of the spotlight onto
50 the cello. In the period 1717-1723, he wrote
several pieces of solo music for the cello,
allowing this relatively new instrument to
shine in its own right.

15 [3] It is speculated that the bow was first

developed in Central Asia. Bowed lyres
appeared across the region throughout the
10th and 11th centuries. The technique of
bowing, because it allowed musicians to
20 draw a new and much wider range of sounds
from their instruments, quickly spread to
China in the East and Europe in the West.

[4] In Europe over the next few centuries,

early bowed string instruments gradually
25 evolved into violins. The first modern
violins trace back to the early 1500s. These
instruments produced a sustained high-
pitched sound that became hugely popular
across Europe. The violin, however, was
30 limited in its register. Soon musicians and
composers sought to develop an instrument
that could produce lower-register sounds to
accompany the violin.

END OF READING PASSAGES

[5] In the mid-1500s, the bass violin—the

35 direct ancestor of the modern cello—was
developed to meet precisely this need. Much
larger than the violin, the bass violin
produced a deeper sound. Toward the end of
the 17th century, the design of the bass

5
 Candidate Number
Please stick the barcode label here.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PAPER 1 PART A
QUESTION-ANSWER BOOK
A
COMPULSORY
Write your Candidate Number in the space provided on this page.
Read Text 1 and answer questions 1–20. (25 marks)

1 Who is the intended audience of this piece?

A classical musicians
B the general public
C music critics A B C D
D pop music fans    

2 Find a word in paragraph 1 that could be replaced with the word ‘lasting’.
spanning
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

3 what does ‘this instrument’ (line 28) refer to?
the double bass

4 Read paragraphs 2–3 and decide whether the following statements are True, False, or the
information is Not Given. Blacken ONE circle only for each statement. (3 marks)
T F NG
i) Yo-Yo Ma is a great violinist.   
ii) Yo-Yo Ma’s parents helped him develop an interest in music.   
iii) Yo-Yo Ma’s father was a singer.   

5 Look at the following instruments. Based on information found in paragraph 3, which is the double
bass? A B C D
   
A B C D

6 Find a word in paragraph 4 that could be replaced with the word ‘praise’.
acclaim

7 In paragraph 4, who does ‘the child prodigy’ refer to (line 38)?

Yo-Yo Ma

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

1
 8 What does the invitation to play in front of US Presidents imply about Ma’s reputation as a child?
A that he was adorable
B that he was already a well-regarded cellist
C that he was politically active A B C D
D nothing in particular    

9 What does ‘got the ball rolling’ (line 53) mean?

A got something started
B got excited
C got slowed down A B C D
D got tired    

10 In paragraph 6, what does ‘these’ refer to (line 56)?

Ma’s 90 albums

11 Use ONE word to complete each blank.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Many of Ma’s albums broke the mould of classical music. He experimented
with a broad range of musical genres.

12 What is the main purpose of paragraph 7?

to discuss the cellos with which Ma plays

13 In paragraph 8, what does the phrase ‘after a long and exhausting day’ imply about why Ma forgot
his cello in a taxi?
that Ma forgot his cello because he was very tired

14 Complete the box below, using the information in paragraph 8. Use ONE word to fill in each
blank. Make sure that your answers are grammatically correct, paying attention to word forms,
plurals, etc. (4 marks)
The Lost Cello
When he (i) realized his mistake, Ma quickly called the police. It took a few
hours, but the hard-working police finally (ii) recovered the instrument. Ma was
certainly
(iii) relieved to have his beloved cello back in his hands. He’s been much
more
(iv) careful with the precious instrument ever since.

15 What is the main purpose of paragraph 9?

to discuss Ma’s work outside of music

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2
 16 Why do you think the writer says that Ma ‘has already earned his place in the annals of history’?
(lines 109–110) Justify your response using information from the text.
Because Ma has had a long and successful career, during which he has recorded over 90 albums

and developed a global appeal.

17 The writer mentions many of Yo-Yo Ma’s achievements. Put a tick () next to each achievement
discussed in the text.
He earned a degree from Yale University
 He performed for US presidents
He was a professor of music
 He was a United Nations peace ambassador

18 Order the following events in Yo-Yo Ma’s life. Number the events (1-4). The first event has been
done for you.
Ma helps found the Committee of 100 4
Ma records his first album 3
Ma lives in Paris 1
Ma moves to New York City 2

19 Do you think it is appropriate for world-class musicians to play with irreplaceable, antique
instruments? Explain.
Yes. Instruments were built to be played and world-class musicians are the best people to play
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

them. / No. Such instruments are works of art and should be kept in museums.

20 Do you think it’s a good idea for parents to pressure their children to study music at a very young
age? Why or why not?
Yes. Early exposure to music can help children become great musicians. / No. Children should be
free to explore whatever most appeals to them.

Read Text 2 and answer questions 21–31. (15 marks)

21 What is the purpose of this text?

to discuss the origins of the cello

22 What is the tone of this piece?

A judgmental
B exasperated
C bored A B C D
D curious    

23 Find a word in paragraph 1 that means the opposite of ‘obscures’.

reveals

3
25 According to paragraphs 2-3 how did the innovation of the bow revolutionize string instruments?
The bow allowed musicians to draw a new and much wider range of sounds from their string

instruments.

4
 24 Below is a partial summary of paragraph 2. In one of the lines, there is ONE mistake. If you find a
mistake, underline the mistake and replace the word with one that expresses the correct idea. Write
the word in the space on the right. If there is no mistake, put a tick () in the space. The first has
been done for you. (2 marks)
Summary Correction
e.g. The history of string instruments stretches back millions of years. thousands
i) Archaeological digs in Mesopotamia have unearthed ancient lyres, 
ii) which are early ancestors of modern wind instruments. string

26 Match the correct sub-headings (A–C) to the paragraphs in the article. Write the letter in the space
next to the paragraph numbers. One sub-heading is not used. (2 marks)
Paragraph No. Sub-headings
A. The violin emerges
Paragraph 3 B
B. Origins of the bow
Paragraph 4 A
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

C. The Earliest String
Instruments

27 In paragraph 4, what do ‘these instruments’ refer to (lines 26–27)?

the first modern violins

28 When was the bass violin developed? (2

marks)
in the mid-1500s

Why was it developed?

Because musicians and composers wanted an instrument with a lower-register sound to
accompany the violin.

29 What word in paragraph 5 could be replaced with the word ‘exactly’?

precisely

30 In Paragraph 6, why does the writer say that Bach deserves credit for shifting some of the
spotlight onto the cello? Justify your response using information from the text.
Because Bach wrote solo music for the cello, which allowed the instrument ‘to shine in its own
right.’

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

5
31 Identify two instruments referenced in the text that existed before the bass violin. (2 marks)
i) the lyre

ii) the violin

END OF PART A

6
ENG LANG

PAPER 1
PART B1
HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION
B1
EASY SECTION

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

PART B1
Reading Passages
1 hour 30 minutes
(for both Parts A and B)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
(1) Refer to the General Instructions on Page 1 of the Reading Passages booklet for Part A.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART B1

(1) The Question-Answer Book for Part B1 is inserted in this Reading Passages booklet.

(2) Candidates who choose Part B1 should attempt all questions in this part. Each question carries ONE
mark unless otherwise stated.

(3) Hand in only ONE Question-Answer Book for Part B, either B1 or B2.

Not to be taken away before the

end of the examination session

1
 PART B1
Read Text 3 and answer questions 32-46 on pages 1–3 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B1.
Text 3
Three Days in Zurich
1 [1] For years I’ve dreamt about visiting
Zurich, and this summer I finally realized
that dream. It was just a quick three-day trip,
but that was enough time for me to fall in
5 love with the city.
[2] For starters, my hotel was located in the
middle of a food lover’s paradise. Right
across the street from the hotel was a cute
little restaurant that served traditional Swiss
10 fondue. Delicious. And just beside the
restaurant was a terrific bakery. The shop
windows were always crowded with towers
of loaves and pastries of all kinds. I resisted
the pastries, but I did get a fresh loaf of
15 bread every day. The real treat, however,
was the chocolate shop next door to the
hotel. This place had the absolute best
chocolates I’ve ever eaten in my life! Now I
understand why the Swiss have a reputation
20 as master chocolatiers.
[3] I spent my first day just walking around
the city and taking in the sights. With the
cobblestone streets and the centuries-old
buildings, Zurich is full of old world charm.
25 All day long, I felt like I was breathing in
history.
[4] But the city can get a bit stuffy in the
sweltering heat of the summer. So on my
second day in town, I decided to cool off
30 with a swim in Lake Zurich. This, it seems,
is a popular activity among the locals. The
swimming facilities were packed with people
who were either hanging out on the shore or
lying on the large, floating rafts out on the
35 lake. And who could blame them? In the
warm sunshine, with the Alps in the
background, it’s a perfect way to spend a
summer afternoon.
[5] The Alps looked so spectacular, in fact,
2
40 that I wanted to get a closer look at them. I
wanted to head right up into those mountains
for a long, alpine hike. After a quick
consultation with the train schedules, I
discovered that an escape into the mountains
45 would be a piece of cake. Just an hour-long
train ride would take me to the base of the
Alps. Then a fifteen-minute cable car ride
would carry me up into the mountains,
where I could take my pick from a handful
50 of hiking trails that snake through alpine
meadows. It sounded perfect.
[6] But plans never work out exactly as you
want them to. I woke up the next morning to
the sounds of crashing thunder and pouring
55 rain. So much for my brilliant plan.
[7] I asked the concierge at my hotel if he
could recommend any alternate activities. At
first he suggested I go to see a movie. He
said there was a lovely cinema nearby that
60 he and his wife go to every weekend. But I
explained that I don’t like movies very
much—I prefer more active undertakings. So
he directed me to a museum, where I had the
pleasure of learning all about Swiss
65 history—turns out, it’s a more fascinating
country than I realized!
[8] The next morning, sadly, I had to pack
my bags and head home. But if I ever get the
chance to return, I’ll go at the drop of a hat.
70 After all, I’ve still got a date with the Alps!
Read Text 4 and answer questions 47-55 on pages 3-4 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B1
Text 4
The Old Man and the Sea
(Excerpt)
1 [1] When the boy came back the old man
was asleep in the chair and the sun was
down. The boy took the old army blanket off
the bed and spread it over the back of the
5 chair and over the old man's shoulders. They
were strange shoulders, still powerful
although very old, and the neck was still
strong too and the creases did not show so
much when the old man was asleep and his
10 head fallen forward. His shirt had been
patched so many times that it was like the
sail and the patches were faded to many
different shades by the sun. The old man's
head was very old though and with his eyes
15 closed there was no life in his face. The
newspaper lay across his knees and the
weight of his arm held it there in the evening
breeze. He was barefooted.
[2] The boy left him there and when he came
20 back the old man was still asleep.
[3] “Wake up old man,” the boy said and put
his hand on one of the old man's knees.
[4] The old man opened his eyes and for a
moment he was coming back from a long
25 way away. Then he smiled.
[5] “What have you got?” he asked.
END OF READING PASSAGES
3
[6] “Supper,” said the boy. “We're going to
have supper.”
[7] “I'm not very hungry.”
30 [8] “Come on and eat. You can't fish and not
eat.”
[9] “I have,” the old man said getting up and
taking the newspaper and folding it. Then he
started to fold the blanket.
35 [10] “Keep the blanket around you,” the boy
said. “You'll not fish without eating while
I'm alive.”
[11] “Then live a long time and take care of
yourself,” the old man said. “What are we
40 eating?”
[12] “Black beans and rice, fried bananas,
and some stew.”
[13] The boy had brought them in a two-
decker metal container from the Terrace.
45 The two sets of knives and forks and spoons
were in his pocket with a paper napkin
wrapped around each set.
 Candidate Number Please stick the barcode label here.

B1
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PAPER 1 PART B1
QUESTION-ANSWER BOOK
EASY SECTION
Write your Candidate Number in the space provided on this page.
Read Text 3 and answer questions 32–46. (28 marks)

32 The text could best be described as:

A a news report
B a piece of travel writing
C an instruction manual A B C D
D a how-to guide    

33 Identify three kinds of food that the writer eats on her trip. (3 marks)
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

i) fondue
ii) chocolate
iii) bread

34 Find words in paragraphs 2 which could be replaced by the following: (3 marks)

i) packed crowded

ii) customary traditional

iii) heaven paradise

35 Look at the following diagram. Write the letter (A-D) that indicates the position of:

i) the bakery C
ii) the restaurant D
iii) the chocolate shop B

36 What does ‘This’ refer to in paragraph 4 (line 30)?

swimming in Lake Zurich

37 What is the main purpose of paragraph 5?

to discuss the writer’s plans to go hiking in the Alps

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

1
 37 Below is a summary of the text. Fill in the blanks, using ONE word for each blank. Make sure that
your answers are grammatically correct, paying attention to word forms, plurals, etc.
(5 marks)

A Day at the Lake

On my (i) second day in the city, I went (ii) swimming in the lake. The

day was very (iii) hot , so I was happy to cool off in the water. There were

crowds of people both on the shore and on the floating (iv) rafts on the water. In the

background, I could see the (v) Alps .

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

39 In paragraph 5, the word ‘sweltering’ could best be replaced by which of the following:

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

A pleasing
B cooling
C widening A B C D
D sizzling    

40 In paragraph 5, the expression ‘piece of cake’ means what?

A sweet
B complicated
C easy A B C D
D challenging    

41 Who does ‘he’ refer to in line 58?

the concierge

42 Match the correct sub-headings (A–D) to the paragraphs in the article. Write the letter in the space
next to the paragraph numbers. One sub-heading is not used.
(3 marks)

Paragraph No. Sub-headings

iii) Paragraph 5 D A. A thwarted plan

iv) Paragraph 6 A B. On a hot day

v) Paragraph 7 C C. A fascinating museum

D. The Alps beckon

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2
 43 What attraction does the writer visit on her last day in Zurich? (2 marks)
a museum

Does the writer enjoy her visit to this attraction? Justify your response using evidence from the text.
Yes. She ‘had the pleasure of learning all about Swiss history’ and discovered that the country ‘is

more fascinating than she realized’.

44 Do you think the writer would enjoy attending a film festival? Give evidence from the text to
support your answer.
No, the writer says that she doesn’t like movies.

45 Which of the following could most easily replace the expression ‘at the drop of a hat’ (line 69)?
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

A without hesitation
B after careful consideration
C with the right hat A B C D
D with reluctance    

46 Based on the text, does Zurich sound like a city you would like to visit? Why or why not?
Yes, I like old cities, and I like the foods and activities the writer describes. / No, I prefer visiting

more modern cities.

Read Text 4 and answer questions 47–55. (12 marks)

47 In paragraph 1, what does ‘They’ refer to (line 5)?

the old man’s shoulders

48 Find a word in paragraph 1 that means the opposite of ‘normal’.

strange

49 Read paragraph 1 and decide whether the following statements are True, False, or the information
is Not Given. Blacken ONE circle only for each statement. (4
marks)
T F NG

i) The boy’s shirt is faded and patched.   

ii) The old man is wearing shoes.   

iii) The old man is happy.   

iv) It is evening.   
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

3
 50 Use ONE word to complete each blank.

The old man had a newspaper across his knees. It was held there by

the weight of his arm.

51 The boy wakes the old man because he wants the old man to do which of the following:

A go fishing
B eat supper
C put away the blanket A B C D
D get out of the chair    

52 In paragraph 9, what does ‘it’ refer to (line 33)?

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

the newspaper

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

53 Find a word in paragraph 13 that could be replaced with the word ‘enfolded’?

wrapped

54 Which of the following does the text imply about the boy? Put a tick () next to the TWO that
apply.
 The boy is concerned about the old man.
The boy is very hungry.
The boy is unhappy.
 The boy thinks it’s important for the old man to eat.

55 Order the following events in the story. Number the events (1-4). The first event has been done for
you.

The old man wakes up. 2

The boy spreads the blanket across the old man’s shoulders. 1

The boy describes their supper. 4

The old man folds his newspaper. 3

END OF PART B1

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

4
ENG LANG

PAPER 1
PART B2
HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION
B2
DIFFICULT SECTION

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1

PART B2
Reading Passages
1 hour 30 minutes
(for both Parts A and B)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

(1) Refer to the General Instructions on Page 1 of the Reading Passages booklet for Part A.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART B2

(1) The Question-Answer Book for Part B2 is inserted in this Reading Passages booklet.

(2) Candidates who choose Part B2 should attempt all questions in this part. Each question carries ONE
mark unless otherwise stated.

(3) Hand in only ONE Question-Answer Book for Part B, either B1 or B2.

Not to be taken away before the

end of the examination session

1
 PART B2
Read Text 5 and answer questions 56-77 on pages 1–4 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B2.
Text 5
Never-ending Traffic on the Streets of Hong Kong
1 [1] Anyone who’s ever driven through Hong
Kong during rush hour knows well the
headaches and frustration that can accompany
the journey. On any given day, hundreds of
5 thousands of vehicles move around the city’s
streets. With this volume of traffic, it’s no
wonder that roads become congested and
commuters are left sitting helplessly behind
the wheel. Recent investments in
10 infrastructure have helped ease some of the
worst traffic problems, but as the city
continues to grow, new and innovative
solutions will be needed to further address the
issue.
15 [2] One such solution is the use of smart
technologies to help manage traffic throughout
the city. ‘A good IT system can profoundly
change the way traffic operates,’ says Maggie
Li, a global transport expert. Smart
20 technologies can be used to monitor all of the
traffic flow in a city from a central location.
These technologies can detect and then
address problem areas in real-time. Li
explains: ‘When congestion begins to occur,
25 these technologies can automatically adjust
the phase of traffic signals in the area to
compensate for the heavier flow.’ Centrally
managed traffic systems exist already in other
densely populated cities. In both London and
30 Seoul, strong IT traffic systems have had a
significant effect on reducing traffic burdens.
[3] Smart technologies have another major
advantage. Cameras monitoring a city’s roads
can spot illegally parked vehicles along major
35 routes. Computer software can then issue
electronic tickets to parking violators. When
one considers that it takes only a single
illegally parked car to block off an entire lane
of traffic and cause a backup that spans
40 kilometres, the huge advantages of such
technology become apparent. The guarantee of
a parking ticket can act as an important
deterrent for potential violators. Li also notes
that the Hong Kong traffic police currently
45 spend an enormous amount of time and effort
2
policing parking violations. A good IT system
can free up these resources for other concerns.
[4] The use of smart technologies can
certainly help ease the city’s traffic problems,
50 but they cannot serve as a complete solution.
The fact remains that these days there are just
more cars in the city than the roads can
accommodate. Over the last ten years, the
number of vehicles registered in Hong Kong
55 has spiked by a whopping 40%. Given this
number, most experts in the field agree that
either many more roads will have to be built,
or measures will have to be taken to encourage
commuters to leave their cars at home.
60 [5] Hong Kong has already done a great deal
towards encouraging such behaviour. Big
investments in public rail systems have
created a sophisticated network throughout the
city. Hong Kong now enjoys a reputation for
65 having one of the most successful rail systems
in the world. For many commuters, however, a
typical journey is not completed by rail alone.
It has to be coordinated with other modes of
public transport. Bus rides, for example, form
70 a critical leg of many journeys. But buses,
unfortunately, are at the mercy of road
congestion. When a bus is forced to putter
along in heavy traffic, the travel time of the
overall journey is compromised.
75 [6] Evan Auyang is the deputy managing
director of Kowloon Motor Bus Company, an
organization that offers franchised bus
services throughout the city. Auyang notes
that the average speeds of the company’s
80 buses have declined dramatically in recent
years because of severe congestion on the
roads. ‘Some routes are now forced to operate
at average speeds far below acceptable
international standards. In particular, the
85 average speed on urban routes in Kowloon has
dropped from 15.3km/h to 12.9 km/h, while
for some routes, it has dropped to as low as
8km/h during peak hours—not much faster
than walking,’ he says.
 90 [7] These drops in speed have significantly
increased journey times. Auyang notes that in
just the last five years, the average increase in
journey times for Kowloon Motor Bus
Company vehicles has been 16%. That’s a lot
95 of wasted time on the road—time that could
be better spent on other, more economically
productive endeavours. The overall loss of
productivity due to traffic congestion is a
major economic cost to the city.
100 [8] But the consequences of increased journey
times aren’t just limited to productivity losses
and frustration headaches. There is also a
substantial environmental cost. For every
minute a car is on the road, it is contributing to
105 air pollution and smog. Exhaust emissions
from cars unleash a number of noxious
chemicals into the air, many of which can be
especially harmful for at-risk groups, such as
children or people with respiratory issues.
110 Because of this, most environmentalists
advocate for traffic solutions that will
ultimately reduce the number of cars on the
roads.
[9] Auyang, along with a number of other
115 transport specialists, has suggested the
adoption of a scheme that many
environmentalists might support. The scheme,
known as ‘electronic road pricing’, imposes
charges to drivers for using certain stretches of
120 high-volume roads. This has been a successful
strategy in other cities, most notably
Singapore, where extreme population density
forced the government to experiment with
unorthodox traffic solutions. In facing an
125 additional cost for driving on a congestion-
prone route, commuters are encouraged to
either seek alternative routes or opt for
alternative means of transport altogether.
Electronic road pricing has been floated as a
130 possible solution in Hong Kong for over a
decade now. Back in 2001, the city’s transport
department commissioned a study into the
feasibility of implementing the programme.
But so far, city officials have been hesitant to
135 push for its adoption.
[10] Not everyone is in favour of electronic
road pricing. One Kowloon resident says, “I’m
all for reducing traffic. But electronic road
pricing just isn’t fair. If you can’t afford the
140 charges, you can’t use the roads.’ Many taxi
drivers also oppose the idea. In cities where
electronic road pricing is in effect, taxi drivers
typically pass the burden of the charges onto
their passengers. Some taxi drivers worry that
145 this increase in fare price could be bad for
business. ‘Will people still take taxis if the
fares go up?’ one taxi driver asks.
[11] Whether or not the city adopts this
measure is still up for debate. But one way or
150 another, more innovative and creative thinking
will be necessary to tackle the increasing
burden of everyday traffic. City officials will
certainly continue to study the traffic policies
of other densely populated regions, but they
155 will also have to brainstorm brand new ideas
to meet the specific needs of Hong Kong. A
few years ago, the city’s Commissioner for
Transport said: ‘We are committed to
providing the world’s best transport system
160 which is safe, reliable, efficient,
environmentally friendly and satisfying to
both users and operators.’ It’s an admirable
vision, but only time will tell if this vision can
be realized.

END OF READING PASSAGE

3
 Candidate Number Please stick the barcode label here.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PAPER 1 PART B2
QUESTION-ANSWER BOOK
B2
DIFFICULT SECTION

Write your Candidate Number in the space provided on this page.

Read Text 5 and answer questions 56–77. (40 marks)

56 The text would best be described as which of the following?

A a brochure
B a newspaper article
C a memoir A B C D
D an academic essay    

57 Read paragraphs 2-3 and decide whether the following statements are True, False, or the
information is Not Given. Blacken ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

T F NG
i) Both London and Seoul have strong IT systems.   
ii) Traffic problems in London are worse than in Seoul.   
iii) Very little time is spent policing parking violations in Hong Kong.   
iv) Maggie Li is a global transport expert   

58 According to paragraphs 2-3, what are the TWO ways smart technologies can affect traffic
congestion in a city?
(2 marks)
i) Smart technologies can detect areas of congestion and automatically adjust the phase of traffic

signals in those areas.

ii) Smart technologies allow illegally parked vehicles to be detected and ticketed remotely. This acts

as an important deterrent for parking violators, whose cars can block off whole lanes of traffic.

59 Why does Maggie Li say that ‘a good IT system can profoundly change the way traffic operates’?
Justify your answer using evidence from the text.

Because a good IT system can monitor ‘all of the traffic flow in a city from a central location,’

and then ‘address problems in real-time.’

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

1
 60 What does ‘apparent’ mean in paragraph 3?
A unfortunate
B confusing
C clear A B C D
D suspicious    

61 Using the information in paragraphs 3, complete the box below by writing ONE word to fill in
each blank. You should make sure that your answers are grammatically correct, paying attention to
word forms, plurals, etc. (8 marks)

Pesky Parking Violators

Smart technologies have many (i) advantages . One such advantage is that cameras can

(ii) monitor a city’s roads, and spot (iii) illegally parked vehicles. All it

takes is one car to (iv) block off an entire lane of traffic, (v) causing
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

a backup that can span kilometres. The (vi) guarantee of a parking ticket deters

potential violators. This is important as it takes time and effort to (vii) police

parking violations. A good IT system (viii) frees up these resources.

62 Find a word in paragraph 5 that means the opposite of ‘uncommon’?

typical

63 In paragraph 5, what does ‘such behaviour’ refer to (line 61)?

leaving cars at home

64 What has the city done to encourage people to leave their cars at home? (2 marks)
It has made big investments in public rail systems.

Why hasn’t this effort solved the traffic problem?

Because many journeys aren’t completed on rail alone.

65 In paragraph 5, what does the expression ‘putter along’ (lines 72–73) mean?
A move slowly
B move rapidly
C stop completely A B C D
D break down    

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

2
 66 Below is a partial summary of paragraph 6. In three of the lines, there is ONE mistake. If you find
a mistake, underline the mistake and replace the word with one that expresses the correct idea.
Write the word in the space on the right. If there is no mistake, put a tick () in the space. The first
has been done for you. (4 marks)
Summary Correction
e.g. The chief managing director of a franchised bus company says deputy
i) that the average speeds of buses have increased dramatically declined
ii) over recent years. This has resulted in much shorter journey longer
iii) times. All of this wasted time spent in traffic carries a severe 
iv) environmental cost for the city. economic

67 According to paragraph 7, why does traffic congestion carry a major economic cost for the city?

Because congestion results in a lot of time wasted in transit. This time could be used to contribute
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

productively to economic activity in the city.

68 Why does the writer say that an electronic road pricing scheme might please environmentalists?
Justify your answer using evidence from the text.

Because environmentalists ‘advocate for traffic solutions that reduce the number of cars on the

road’, and electronic road pricing reduces the number of cars on the road by encouraging

drivers to ‘seek alternative means of transport’.

69 Why did Singapore implement an electronic road pricing policy? Give evidence from the text to
support your answer.
Because the city has ‘extreme population density’, which forced its government to ‘experiment

with unorthodox traffic solutions’.

70 In paragraph 9, what does ‘the programme’ refer to (line 133)?

electronic road pricing

71 Match the paragraph number on the left with the idea presented in the statements on the right.
Write the letter (A–D) on the line next to the paragraph number. One statement is not used.
(3 marks)

Paragraph No. Main idea

i) Paragraph 7 D A. The growing number of cars in the city

ii) Paragraph 8 C B. The possibility of electronic road pricing

iii) Paragraph 9 B C. The environmental costs of congestion

D. The increase in travel times due to congestion

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

3
 72 Why do some taxi drivers oppose electronic road pricing? (2 marks)

Because electronic road pricing would increase fares, which might dissuade customers from

taking taxis.

Why does the Kowloon resident referenced in the text oppose electronic road pricing?

Because he thinks it’s an unfair policy that makes roads inaccessible to those who can’t afford the

charges.

73 In paragraph 10, what is the taxi driver’s tone when he asks, ‘Will people still take taxis if the fares
go up?’?
A puzzled
B relaxed
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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

C excited A B C D
D concerned    

74 What is the main purpose of paragraph 10?

to discuss opposition to electronic road pricing

75 Do you think environmental costs, such as air pollution, should be a key factor in deciding how to
address a city’s traffic problems? Explain.

Yes, because keeping our air clean and respecting our environment should be priorities. / No,

because transport efficiency is more important than the related environmental concerns.

76 Why do you think Hong Kong city officials might look at the traffic policies of other densely
populated cities before deciding on the best policy for Hong Kong?

Because city officials can learn from the successes and failures of traffic policies that have been

tried in other cities, especially cities that face similar challenges to Hong Kong, such as high

population density.

77 Do you think electronic road pricing is a good idea for Hong Kong? Why or why not?

Yes, because electronic road pricing can ease congestion and improve the city’s traffic problems. /

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

4
No, because it’s unfair to those who can’t afford to pay.

END OF PART B2