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HKDSE English practice questions

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Question 1Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage states: 'The scheme was introduced in 2019; however, uptake remained low for three years.' Which reading skill is mainly needed to understand the relationship between the two clauses?

  1. Locating the year 2019 as a supporting detail
  2. Recognising the contrast signalled by the connective 'however' Correct answer.
  3. Identifying the passive voice in 'was introduced'
  4. Working out the meaning of 'uptake' from word formation

Explanation

The connective 'however' explicitly marks a contrast between the launch of the scheme and the disappointing response to it. Recognising discourse markers of contrast is a core DSE reading skill because it shows how the writer organises ideas across a sentence. The other features listed are useful but do not explain the logical link between the two clauses.

Question 2Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 text, a paragraph begins: 'Critics of the policy raise three objections.' The next three sentences each present one objection. What is the main function of the opening sentence?

  1. It concludes the argument of the previous paragraph
  2. It introduces a list that the following sentences develop Correct answer.
  3. It offers a counter-argument to the writer's own view
  4. It provides statistical evidence for the policy

Explanation

A sentence that announces 'three objections' followed by three supporting sentences is a topic sentence that sets up a list. Recognising this structure helps candidates anticipate how the paragraph will unfold. It is not a counter-argument, evidence, or a conclusion, because it merely signals what follows.

Question 3Reading

A notice in a DSE Paper 1 text reads: 'Applications must be submitted by 30 June. Late applications will not be considered.' Which statement is the safest inference?

  1. The organisation has extended its deadline at least once
  2. The organisation accepts late applications in exceptional cases
  3. The organisation prefers applications sent by post
  4. The organisation enforces a strict deadline for applications Correct answer.

Explanation

The second sentence explicitly rules out late applications, which supports the inference that the deadline is strictly enforced. DSE inference questions require conclusions that follow directly from the stated evidence rather than from guesswork. The other statements add information the text neither states nor implies.

Question 4Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage describes a scientist who 'spent a decade collecting data that others had dismissed as worthless'. Which word best captures the writer's attitude towards the scientist?

  1. Dismissive
  2. Amused
  3. Admiring Correct answer.
  4. Indifferent

Explanation

Phrasing such as 'spent a decade' and the contrast with what 'others had dismissed' presents the scientist as persistent and vindicated, which signals admiration. Attitude questions in DSE Paper 1 require attention to evaluative word choice rather than to facts alone. The other options contradict the positive framing of the description.

Question 5Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 text, the phrase 'the tip of the iceberg' is used to describe early research findings. What does the phrase suggest about those findings?

  1. They are the most important results of the whole study
  2. They are final conclusions that require no further work
  3. They are only a small visible part of a much larger issue Correct answer.
  4. They are dangerous and should be handled with caution

Explanation

The idiom 'the tip of the iceberg' refers to a small visible portion of something much larger hidden beneath the surface. In reading tasks, idioms must be interpreted figuratively rather than literally. The other options either exaggerate the findings' importance or misread the image entirely.

Question 6Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage contains the sentence: 'Unlike her predecessors, who relied on handwritten records, Chan built a digital archive.' What does the comparison emphasise?

  1. Chan's approach differed from that of earlier researchers Correct answer.
  2. Chan worked more slowly than her predecessors
  3. Chan distrusted all forms of written records
  4. Chan copied the methods of earlier researchers

Explanation

The frame 'Unlike X, who ..., Y ...' sets up a contrast, so the sentence highlights how Chan's method departed from earlier practice. Recognising comparative structures is important in DSE reading because they often carry the writer's key point. The remaining options either reverse the contrast or invent attitudes not stated.

Question 7Reading

A candidate reads a DSE Paper 1 passage and needs to find the year a bridge was completed. Which reading strategy is most efficient?

  1. Reading every sentence slowly from the beginning
  2. Predicting the answer from general knowledge
  3. Summarising each paragraph before answering
  4. Scanning the text for numerals and dates Correct answer.

Explanation

When the task requires a specific piece of factual detail such as a date, scanning for numerals allows the reader to locate it quickly. DSE Paper 1 rewards efficient use of skimming and scanning under time pressure. Slow linear reading and reliance on background knowledge waste time and risk inaccuracy.

Question 8Reading

A DSE Paper 1 text says: 'The festival, which began as a small village gathering, now attracts visitors from across the region.' Which detail is presented as a fact rather than an opinion?

  1. The festival is the best cultural event in the region
  2. The festival now attracts visitors from across the region Correct answer.
  3. The festival deserves greater government funding
  4. The festival is more enjoyable than city events

Explanation

Facts are statements that can be verified, such as the geographical reach of the festival's visitors. Opinions involve evaluation, comparison of worth, or recommendations, which appear in the other options. Distinguishing fact from opinion is a recurring DSE Paper 1 question type.

Question 9Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage argues: 'Recycling schemes fail not because residents are unwilling, but because collection points are inconveniently located.' What is the writer's main claim?

  1. Collection points are too numerous in most districts
  2. Practical access, rather than attitude, determines the success of recycling Correct answer.
  3. Recycling schemes should be abandoned altogether
  4. Residents are generally unwilling to recycle household waste

Explanation

The 'not because ... but because ...' construction shifts the explanation from residents' willingness to the location of collection points, making access the writer's main claim. Identifying the clause after 'but' is crucial because it carries the writer's actual position. The other options either state the rejected reason or misread the argument.

Question 10Reading

Read this extract from a DSE Paper 1 text: 'Sales of electric cars rose sharply in 2021. The following year, however, government subsidies were withdrawn, and growth stalled.' What can be inferred about the relationship between subsidies and sales?

  1. Subsidies had no measurable effect on electric car sales
  2. The withdrawal of subsidies was probably a factor in the slowdown Correct answer.
  3. Government policy played no role in the electric car market
  4. Electric car sales fell sharply after subsidies were withdrawn

Explanation

The sequence of events plus the contrastive 'however' invites the inference that removing subsidies contributed to the stall in growth. Careful inference uses textual clues such as ordering and connectives without overstating certainty. The text says growth 'stalled', not that sales fell sharply, and it does not claim subsidies were irrelevant.

Question 11Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 passage, a company spokesperson says: 'We are exploring every possible option.' In context, the writer comments that no decision has been announced. What does the spokesperson's statement most likely signal?

  1. A firm promise to change company policy
  2. An admission that the company has failed
  3. A detailed proposal ready for approval
  4. A cautious refusal to commit to a definite plan Correct answer.

Explanation

Vague, all-encompassing language combined with the writer's note that no decision has been announced suggests deliberate evasiveness. DSE Paper 1 often tests the ability to read implied meaning in quoted speech. The statement commits to nothing specific, so it cannot be a promise or a finished proposal.

Question 12Reading

A DSE Paper 1 text reads: 'The report paints a bleak picture of coastal erosion, yet its authors remain optimistic about remedial measures.' Which pair of words best describes the two contrasting tones?

  1. Neutral findings and indifferent outlook
  2. Humorous findings and bitter outlook
  3. Alarming findings and hopeful outlook Correct answer.
  4. Confusing findings and hostile outlook

Explanation

'Bleak picture' creates an alarming tone about the findings, while 'remain optimistic' signals a hopeful outlook, and 'yet' marks the contrast. Tone questions require matching vocabulary in the text to accurate descriptive labels. The other pairs introduce emotions the text does not support.

Question 13Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage states: 'Not only did the campaign raise awareness, but it also changed behaviour.' Which function does the 'Not only ... but also' structure serve?

  1. It adds a second, emphasised benefit to the first Correct answer.
  2. It contrasts two opposing results
  3. It concedes a weakness in the campaign
  4. It states a condition for the campaign's success

Explanation

The correlative structure 'not only ... but also' adds information and places extra emphasis on the second element. Recognising such structures helps candidates identify what the writer most wants to highlight. It does not concede, contrast, or set conditions.

Question 14Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 passage, the word 'modest' appears in: 'The results were modest, but the team considered them a breakthrough.' What does 'modest' mean here?

  1. Difficult to measure
  2. Extremely impressive
  3. Limited in size or extent Correct answer.
  4. Financially expensive

Explanation

The contrast with 'breakthrough' shows that 'modest' describes small or limited results that were nonetheless valued. Context clues such as contrastive connectives are a reliable way to deduce word meaning in DSE Paper 1. The remaining options ignore the contrast and the surrounding sentence.

Question 15Reading

A DSE Paper 1 text contains the sentence: 'Having examined the evidence, the committee concluded that the risks had been exaggerated.' Who examined the evidence?

  1. The evidence
  2. The risks
  3. An unnamed researcher
  4. The committee Correct answer.

Explanation

In a participial clause at the start of a sentence, the implied subject is the subject of the main clause, which here is 'the committee'. DSE reading questions sometimes test whether candidates can track reference and grammatical subjects. The other nouns are objects within the sentence, not the agents of the examining.

Question 16Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage presents two views on remote work: one paragraph cites improved productivity, the next cites isolation among staff. What is the writer doing overall?

  1. Attacking employees who prefer remote work
  2. Balancing competing evidence before reaching a judgement Correct answer.
  3. Describing the history of a workplace practice
  4. Supporting a single view with repeated examples

Explanation

Presenting evidence for both benefits and drawbacks is the hallmark of a balanced discussion. DSE Paper 1 often asks candidates to identify the overall structure of an argument, including whether the writer is neutral, one-sided, or evaluative. The passage is not one-sided, hostile, or purely historical.

Question 17Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage says: 'The museum's new wing, funded entirely by private donations, opened to the public last month.' Which element is a non-essential addition that could be removed without breaking the main clause?

  1. The museum's new wing
  2. opened to the public
  3. last month
  4. funded entirely by private donations Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase between commas is a non-defining participial phrase that adds extra information; removing it leaves a complete main clause. Recognising optional insertions helps candidates identify the core proposition of a sentence in DSE reading. The other elements are essential to the main clause.

Question 18Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 passage, the writer notes: 'Few would dispute that literacy rates have improved. The question is whether the quality of that literacy has kept pace.' What is the writer's purpose in the second sentence?

  1. To deny that literacy rates have improved
  2. To provide statistics on literacy programmes
  3. To praise the government's education policy
  4. To shift the debate from quantity to quality Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer concedes the uncontested point and then redirects attention to a different dimension, namely quality. This move, often marked by phrases like 'the question is', signals a narrowing or reframing of the argument. The sentence does not deny the improvement, present data, or offer praise.

Question 19Reading

A DSE Paper 1 text uses the expression 'a double-edged sword' to describe social media. What does the writer imply?

  1. Social media is mainly used for conflict
  2. Social media is a traditional form of communication
  3. Social media brings both benefits and drawbacks Correct answer.
  4. Social media has been banned in several countries

Explanation

The metaphor of a double-edged sword indicates something that can help and harm at the same time. Figurative expressions in DSE Paper 1 must be interpreted in light of the surrounding argument. The other options either literalise the image or introduce unrelated facts.

Question 20Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage includes the sentence: 'It was not the technology itself that failed, but the way it was implemented.' Which reading best captures the writer's point?

  1. Both the tool and its use were equally at fault
  2. The technology was fundamentally flawed
  3. Human decisions about use mattered more than the tool Correct answer.
  4. Implementation was flawless but the tool was not

Explanation

The cleft structure 'not X but Y' places the blame on implementation, meaning the choices people made about how to use the technology. Cleft sentences are common in DSE argumentative texts and often carry the writer's central claim. The sentence explicitly denies that the tool itself failed.

Question 21Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage states: 'Although the trial produced encouraging results, the sample size was too small to draw firm conclusions.' Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. The results are conclusive and can be generalised
  2. The findings are promising but not yet reliable Correct answer.
  3. The sample size was adequate for firm conclusions
  4. The trial should never have been conducted

Explanation

The concessive 'although' acknowledges positive results while the main clause limits their reliability because of the small sample. Accurate reading requires giving due weight to the main clause after a concessive. The text neither condemns the trial nor claims conclusive results.

Question 22Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 passage, the writer states: 'Advocates of the reform invoke the language of fairness; their opponents, that of efficiency.' What does this parallel structure suggest about the debate?

  1. Both sides agree on what fairness requires
  2. The opponents have stronger evidence than the advocates
  3. The writer believes the debate has already been settled
  4. Each side frames the issue using its own preferred value Correct answer.

Explanation

The elliptical parallel 'their opponents, that of efficiency' shows each group appealing to a different value, fairness versus efficiency. Ellipsis is common in sophisticated DSE texts and requires the reader to supply the omitted words. The sentence does not indicate agreement, superior evidence, or a settled outcome.

Question 23Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage reports: 'The council approved the plan, subject to a review after twelve months.' Which interpretation is most accurate?

  1. The council approved the plan without conditions
  2. The plan was rejected pending further study
  3. Approval is conditional on a later assessment Correct answer.
  4. The review will take place before approval

Explanation

The phrase 'subject to' introduces a condition, so approval stands only if a review occurs after a year. Prepositional phrases like this often carry crucial qualifications in DSE reading passages. The other options either reverse the sequence or remove the condition entirely.

Question 24Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage contains: 'The novelist's later works, while technically accomplished, lack the emotional immediacy of her debut.' Which statement best reflects the writer's evaluation?

  1. Craft and emotional impact are equally strong throughout
  2. Both craft and emotional impact have declined
  3. Craft has improved, but emotional impact has diminished Correct answer.
  4. Emotional impact has grown while craft has declined

Explanation

The concessive 'while technically accomplished' concedes skill, and the main clause identifies an absence of emotional immediacy compared with the debut. Reading evaluative sentences means separating the concession from the criticism. The other options misplace which quality rose or fell.

Question 25Reading

A DSE Paper 1 text ends: 'Whether these measures will be enough remains to be seen.' What is the effect of this closing sentence?

  1. It leaves the outcome open rather than asserting success Correct answer.
  2. It confirms that the measures will succeed
  3. It summarises evidence presented earlier
  4. It criticises those who doubt the measures

Explanation

The phrase 'remains to be seen' signals uncertainty, so the writer withholds a verdict on the measures. Recognising hedging language is important in DSE Paper 1 because it prevents candidates from overstating the writer's position. The sentence neither confirms success, attacks doubters, nor reviews evidence.

Question 26Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage opens with the sentence: 'Every morning, thousands of commuters pass the old clock tower without a glance.' Which reading purpose does this opening sentence most directly serve?

  1. It provides statistical evidence about commuter numbers.
  2. It establishes a familiar setting that the writer will later challenge. Correct answer.
  3. It states the writer's main argument in full.
  4. It introduces a named individual whose story will follow.

Explanation

An opening sentence in a DSE Paper 1 text often sets a familiar scene so that a later contrast or criticism lands more forcefully; the word 'without a glance' hints at unnoticed value. It contains no figures, no explicit argument and no named person, so it works as scene-setting rather than evidence or thesis.

Question 27Reading

In a DSE Paper 1 passage about urban farming, the writer says a rooftop garden 'has quietly become the building's living room'. Which reading of this figurative expression is most defensible?

  1. The garden functions as a shared social space for residents. Correct answer.
  2. The garden is furnished with sofas and tables.
  3. The garden has replaced the building's original lounge area.
  4. The garden is largely ignored by the people living there.

Explanation

A 'living room' is where people gather and interact, so the metaphor signals that the rooftop garden has become a communal meeting place. The adverb 'quietly' suggests this happened gradually and without fanfare, not that the space is neglected. Figurative language in Paper 1 should be read for its function, not literally.

Question 28Reading

A DSE Paper 1 text contains the sentence: 'The scheme was launched in 2019, and by 2023 it had expanded to eighteen districts.' Which tense choice in this sentence is most significant for the reader?

  1. 'had expanded' indicates the expansion was planned but never happened.
  2. 'had expanded' places the expansion before a later reference point in the narrative. Correct answer.
  3. 'was launched' indicates the action is still continuing today.
  4. 'was launched' shows the scheme no longer operates.

Explanation

The past perfect ('had expanded') marks an action completed before another past point of reference, which in a Paper 1 narrative is usually a later event or the time of writing. The passive 'was launched' simply reports a past event without implying the scheme has ended, so the tense contrast carries the meaning.

Question 29Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage is organised with the headings 'The Problem', 'The Proposal', 'The Objections' and 'The Way Forward'. What does this structure most help a reader do?

  1. Locate specific data about costs and timelines.
  2. Compare the passage with a second text on the same topic.
  3. Follow the development of an argument from issue to resolution. Correct answer.
  4. Identify the writer's personal opinion in each section.

Explanation

Headings that move from a problem through a proposal and objections to a way forward map the stages of an argument, helping the reader track how the writer builds and resolves the case. They signal logical progression rather than opinion, data or cross-text comparison. Recognising such signposting is a core Paper 1 skill.

Question 30Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage reports: 'The trust's spokesperson confirmed that the building would reopen, adding that visitors should check the website for details.' A question asks what visitors are advised to do. Which detail should the candidate use?

  1. That the building will reopen.
  2. That visitors should check the website. Correct answer.
  3. That the trust issued a confirmation.
  4. That a spokesperson gave the statement.

Explanation

Scanning for the question's key words ('visitors', 'advised') leads directly to the clause about checking the website, which is the only stated instruction. The other details are contextual facts about the announcement, not advice to visitors. In Paper 1, matching the question's focus word to the text prevents selecting nearby but irrelevant information.

Question 31Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage describes a volunteer programme: 'Participants reported greater confidence, stronger friendships and a renewed sense of purpose.' Which statement best captures how this evidence is presented?

  1. It is presented as the view of the programme's critics.
  2. It is presented as the results of a controlled experiment.
  3. It is presented as the writer's own observation of participants.
  4. It is presented as participants' self-reported benefits. Correct answer.

Explanation

The reporting verb 'reported' attributes the benefits to what participants said about themselves, so the evidence is self-reported rather than independently measured. Recognising who is speaking in a Paper 1 sentence is essential for judging how strong the evidence actually is.

Question 32Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage contains the sentence: 'The new library is impressive; the old one, however, was beloved.' What is the rhetorical effect of the semicolon and 'however' here?

  1. They list two equally positive reactions to the libraries.
  2. They indicate the writer prefers the new library.
  3. They show that the old library has been demolished.
  4. They set up a contrast between admiration and affection. Correct answer.

Explanation

The semicolon joins two balanced clauses, and 'however' signals a turn: the first clause offers admiration ('impressive'), the second offers emotional attachment ('beloved'). This contrast is the rhetorical point, and it does not by itself reveal which library the writer prefers. Punctuation and connectives in Paper 1 should be read for the relationship they create.

Question 33Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage on food waste states: 'Households discard roughly a third of the food they buy, a figure that has barely moved in a decade.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. Food waste is mainly caused by supermarkets.
  2. Households now buy far less food than they did ten years ago.
  3. The figure has fallen sharply over the past decade.
  4. Earlier campaigns to reduce household waste were ineffective. Correct answer.

Explanation

If the proportion discarded has 'barely moved in a decade', then efforts or conditions during that period have not changed household behaviour, which supports the inference that earlier campaigns failed to shift the figure. The other options contradict the stated stability or introduce a cause the passage does not mention.

Question 34Reading

A DSE Paper 1 writer comments: 'The council's consultation was thorough, transparent and, regrettably, entirely pointless.' What does the final comment suggest about the writer's view?

  1. The consultation gathered too few responses to be valid.
  2. The consultation should be repeated with more publicity.
  3. The consultation was well conducted but had no influence on the decision. Correct answer.
  4. The consultation was poorly organised and secretive.

Explanation

The writer concedes the positive qualities ('thorough, transparent') before the concessive 'regrettably, entirely pointless', which implies the process was done properly yet changed nothing. This concession-then-criticism pattern is common in Paper 1 opinion pieces and signals a qualified judgement.

Question 35Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage says: 'Critics argue that the levy will burden small businesses. Supporters counter that the revenue will fund training for the very workers those businesses need.' How is the passage structured at this point?

  1. It reports a single viewpoint as fact.
  2. It describes a problem without offering any response.
  3. It presents an objection followed by a rebuttal. Correct answer.
  4. It presents two unrelated statistics.

Explanation

The first sentence gives the critics' objection, and the second gives the supporters' counter-argument, so the passage is organised as claim and response. Recognising this pairing helps candidates answer questions about how the writer handles opposing views in Paper 1 texts.

Question 36Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage contains the word 'robust' in: 'The study's conclusions rest on robust data collected over fifteen years.' Which meaning fits best?

  1. Recently published
  2. Strong and reliable Correct answer.
  3. Limited in scope
  4. Difficult to interpret

Explanation

In academic and report writing, 'robust' describes something solid and dependable, so 'robust data' means evidence strong enough to support conclusions. The fifteen-year collection period reinforces this reading. Context clues in Paper 1 often confirm a vocabulary item's meaning.

Question 37Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage includes the sentence: 'The volunteers, many of whom had never planted anything before, transformed the vacant lot within a year.' Which element does the relative clause add?

  1. It identifies exactly how many volunteers took part.
  2. It explains why the lot was vacant.
  3. It emphasises the scale of the volunteers' achievement. Correct answer.
  4. It states when the project officially began.

Explanation

The clause 'many of whom had never planted anything before' highlights the volunteers' inexperience, which makes the transformation more impressive. Relative clauses in Paper 1 often carry evaluative weight rather than mere factual detail, so candidates should ask what the added information emphasises.

Question 38Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage states: 'Not all innovation is progress; some of it merely accelerates our mistakes.' Which best describes the writer's rhetorical strategy?

  1. Citing an authority to support a claim
  2. Using a balanced antithesis to challenge an assumption Correct answer.
  3. Presenting a concession before restating a position
  4. Asking a rhetorical question to engage readers

Explanation

The sentence sets 'innovation' against 'progress' and 'accelerates our mistakes' against the usual assumption that new is better, creating a pointed antithesis. This challenges the reader's default equation of innovation with improvement. Identifying such strategies is a common higher-order Paper 1 task.

Question 39Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage ends a paragraph with: 'Whether the policy survives its first budget review is another matter entirely.' What does this closing sentence mainly achieve?

  1. It introduces a new character into the passage.
  2. It summarises the policy's proven benefits.
  3. It confirms that the policy has already been withdrawn.
  4. It signals doubt about the policy's long-term viability. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'is another matter entirely' sets the question of survival apart from what has just been discussed, implying the writer is unsure the policy will last. Such closing sentences in Paper 1 often shift from description to sceptical evaluation, and readers should notice the shift in tone.

Question 40Reading

A DSE Paper 1 passage notes: 'The museum's audio guide is available in eight languages, yet surveys show that fewer than one in five visitors uses it.' A question asks for the main implication. Which answer is best supported?

  1. The guide is too expensive for most visitors.
  2. Visitors are unaware that the museum exists.
  3. The guide's availability does not guarantee that it is used or valued. Correct answer.
  4. The museum should reduce the number of languages offered.

Explanation

The contrast between wide availability ('eight languages') and low uptake ('fewer than one in five') implies that providing a service does not ensure its use. The word 'yet' marks this gap as the writer's point. Inferring from contrastive connectives is a reliable Paper 1 strategy because the writer flags the significant relationship explicitly.

Question 41Writing

In the HKDSE Paper 2 Part A short task, you must write a card to a friend inviting them to your graduation dinner. Which opening is most appropriate for this task type?

  1. This letter serves to notify all relevant parties of an upcoming gathering.
  2. Hey Sam, guess what - I'm finally graduating, and there's a dinner to celebrate! Correct answer.
  3. Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally request your attendance at a ceremony.
  4. To Whom It May Concern: Please be advised of the following arrangements.

Explanation

A card to a friend is an informal, personal text, so the register should be warm and conversational, with contractions and direct address by first name. Formal openings belong to letters to unknown or official readers, not to a peer receiving a celebration card.

Question 42Writing

In the HKDSE Paper 2 Part B, you choose one elective question. A question asks you to write a letter to the editor of the Young Post about food waste in school canteens. Which purpose statement best fits this task?

  1. To describe the nutritional value of each dish served in the canteen.
  2. To persuade readers that the school should adopt a food-waste reduction scheme and to suggest concrete steps. Correct answer.
  3. To entertain readers with a fictional story about a canteen worker.
  4. To instruct readers step by step how to cook a canteen-style meal at home.

Explanation

A letter to the editor is an opinion text whose function is to raise an issue and argue a position, usually with recommendations. The topic of food waste signals a persuasive purpose with practical proposals, not narration, description or procedure.

Question 43Writing

You are writing the introduction to a HKDSE Paper 2 Part B argumentative essay on whether school uniforms should be abolished. Which sentence works best as a thesis statement?

  1. Uniforms are a topic that many people have discussed for a long time.
  2. In Hong Kong, students wear uniforms. Some like them. Some do not.
  3. Although uniforms are meant to build equality, they in fact burden poorer families, so schools should replace them with a simple dress code. Correct answer.
  4. This essay will talk about uniforms and then give my opinion at the end.

Explanation

A thesis statement must state a clear, arguable position and indicate the line of reasoning that the body will develop. It should be specific enough that a reader can predict the argument, which the concession-plus-claim structure of the correct option achieves.

Question 44Writing

A HKDSE candidate writes: 'The new sports centre, which was opened last month, has already attracted many students.' Which function does the underlined relative clause serve in the sentence?

  1. It states the main action of the sentence.
  2. It introduces a condition that must be met for the main clause to be true.
  3. It identifies which sports centre is meant, distinguishing it from others.
  4. It adds non-essential descriptive information about the sports centre. Correct answer.

Explanation

A clause set off by commas is non-defining: it adds extra information that could be removed without changing which centre is meant. Defining clauses, by contrast, are not comma-separated and are needed to identify the noun.

Question 45Writing

In a HKDSE Paper 2 Part A short task, you must write an email to a teacher explaining why you missed a class. Which closing is most suitable?

  1. Yours faithfully,
  2. Love and best wishes,
  3. Thank you for your understanding. Yours sincerely, [your name] Correct answer.
  4. Catch you later!

Explanation

An email to a teacher requires a polite, respectful register, and 'Yours sincerely' is appropriate when the recipient is known and named. Thanking the reader for understanding reinforces the courteous tone expected in school communication.

Question 46Writing

Which sentence best demonstrates effective use of a cohesive device to link contrasting ideas in a HKDSE argumentative essay?

  1. Online learning saves travel time; nevertheless, it demands strong self-discipline. Correct answer.
  2. Online learning saves travel time; in addition, it demands strong self-discipline.
  3. Online learning saves travel time; for example, it demands strong self-discipline.
  4. Online learning saves travel time; therefore, it demands strong self-discipline.

Explanation

The two clauses are in contrast: a benefit is set against a drawback. 'Nevertheless' signals concession and contrast, so it correctly marks the shift from advantage to disadvantage.

Question 47Writing

A HKDSE candidate is writing a short story for Paper 2 Part B and wants to build tension before a climax. Which technique is most effective?

  1. Listing every event of the day in strict chronological order with equal detail.
  2. Using short sentences and sensory details to quicken the pace as the key moment approaches. Correct answer.
  3. Explaining the moral of the story in the opening paragraph.
  4. Writing all dialogue in reported speech to keep the narrative distant.

Explanation

Tension is created by controlling pace and engaging the senses: short sentences accelerate rhythm, while sensory detail draws readers into the moment. This combination makes the climax feel immediate rather than reported.

Question 48Writing

In a HKDSE Paper 2 Part B report on a school survey, which sentence uses the passive voice most appropriately?

  1. Two hundred students answered our questions about sleeping last week.
  2. Last week, two hundred students told us about how they sleep.
  3. Two hundred students were surveyed about their sleeping habits last week. Correct answer.
  4. We asked two hundred students about their sleeping habits last week.

Explanation

In a report, the passive voice is useful when the process matters more than who carried it out, and it gives an objective, formal tone. 'Were surveyed' foregrounds the method and the sample rather than the researchers.

Question 49Writing

Which sentence uses a conditional structure correctly to express an unreal situation in the past?

  1. If the school installs more water dispensers, students would drink more water.
  2. If the school had installed more water dispensers, students would have drunk more water. Correct answer.
  3. If the school would install more water dispensers, students drank more water.
  4. If the school installed more water dispensers, students will drink more water.

Explanation

The third conditional pairs 'had + past participle' in the if-clause with 'would have + past participle' in the main clause to describe an unreal past situation. This structure is the standard way to speculate about what did not happen.

Question 50Writing

A HKDSE candidate writes: 'The government should do more to help. They should give money.' Which revision best improves the writing for a formal essay?

  1. The government should do more to help, and they should give money to people.
  2. The government should do more to help and give money.
  3. The government should provide greater financial support to affected households. Correct answer.
  4. The government should do more stuff to help and give out cash.

Explanation

Formal academic writing favours precise vocabulary and avoids vague verbs like 'do' and 'give'. Substituting specific terms such as 'provide financial support' and naming the recipients raises the register and precision.