HKCEE Writing Task 2 - a Letter to Editor

'It is more important to be clever than beautiful or handsome.' Do you agree?
Write a letter to the editor of the Young Post giving your opinions. Start your letter 'Dear Editor' and sign it 'Christ Wong'. Do not write address.

Dear Editor

I am writing this letter to express my view point regarding the topic, “It is more important to be clever than beautiful.” Beauty and cleverness are two things all of us want to get. However, if we can only choose one of them I would prefer cleverness to beauty. I will explain my reasons.

As a saying goes, it is important to be clever. Cleverness can help to solve many difficult problems in our daily live. For example, without good knowledge, people's lives become more and more challenging. Without knowledge, it is also more difficult for people to handle problems.

The lack of intelligence can not only affect our life quality, but also personal relations. With knowledge and understanding, people become cleverer in solving their own problems. Lives become easier. This is why clever people are usually happier people.

As for beauty, it will not last long. People look young and handsome when they fall within the age range from eighteen to thirty. When people are over forty, their faces show more wrinkles. Beauty will leave them gradually. No matter what people do, they can not really change their process of aging.

The life span of a normal person is about 80 years, their beauty looks will not last forever. On the contrary, cleverness should not disappear with age. When one increases in age, his life experience will also increase. Ages and time can help some people gain more wisdom.

In conclusion, I believe that it is more important to be clever than to have handsome looks. Intelligence can make life more beautiful but not the superficial beauty.


Yours Faithfully

Chris Wong
Chris Wong

(268 words)

• B – 5
  Highly meet the task requirements,
  Highly relevant content,
  Ideas very well developed,
  Very well written sentences,
  Highly accurate grammar,
  Very wide range of vocabulary,
  Very good organization,
  Very good cohesion,
  Very good idea link,
  Very good style,
  Very well achieved aim,
  Highly sensitive to reader’s needs.

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Original Letter
I am writing this letter to express my view point regarding the topic It is more important to be clever than beautiful.’ Beauty and cleverness are tow things all of us want to get, However, it we can only choose one of them I would prefer to choose cleverness. In the following content, I will explain the reason.

As the saying goes it is useful that you have cleverness. Cleverness can help you to solve many difficult question which appear in your life. For example, there are some people always let the problem more and more trouble. The reason is also they are not clever enough to handle the questions. For a long time, it is not only affect their own’s working quality, but also be bad of their personal relationship. However, if you are clever, many questions will leave you naturally. That is why clever people are also happy every day.
Generally speaking, the most beautiful term of one person is among 18 and 30. While you are over 40, you skill will be

Slack, the face will appear many wrinkles, you will not be beautiful again. No matter what you do, you can not change this fact. If you can think it carefully, one of a normal people who just have about 80 life, the beautiful term just occupy their lifes little. In contrary, cleverness should not be disappeared by age. Also your life experience is a good thing to help you to be more and more clever.

In conclusion, I agree that it is more important to be clever than beautiful or handsome.’ It is because cleverness can help you to solve many questions, a great life is followed by it. Moreover, beauty will be run off by time, you can not possess forever. Finally I want to say that if you want to be beautiful, you must have a good heart.
(315 words)

HKCEE Writing Task 1 - A Boy’s Love

David fell in love with Amy the first day he saw her and he thought that Amy was very beautiful. So, David asked Amy, ‘Amy, would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday?’ Amy was also fond of David, so she accepted his invitation.

Amy was planning to make herself look more beautiful. She read many fashion magazines to learn how to create a stylish look. In order to meet her demand, she visited many fashion houses and hair salons.

On Saturday morning, Amy got up early and was very excited. She spent nearly half a day to dress herself up. She asked her mother if she looked beautiful again and again. When it was about 6 o’clock, she left home. Her mother said, “Have a nice time!”

That evening, Amy arrived the place they had agreed to meet. Amy waited for about five minutes before David arrived. When David saw Amy, he looked so shocked and said loudly ‘Oh my god! Who are you? You are not Amy, Amy should look very beautiful! Amy cried at once and said ‘I hate you, I don’t want to be your friend any more!’ Then , Amy ran home.

(203 words)

• C - 4
  Meet the task requirements,
  Relevant content,
  Ideas well developed,
  Good sentences,
  Accurate grammar,
  Wide range of vocabulary,
  Good organization,
  Good cohesion,
  Good idea link,
  Good style,
  Well achieved aim,
  Sensitive to reader’s needs.

---------------------------

Original Version

Boy Heart like a weather
David fell in love with Amy the first day he saw her and he feel that Amy is beautiful. So, David asked Amy, ‘Amy, would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday? Amy is also interested in David, then she consented him. She was planning how to be more beautiful after she went back to home. She read many fashion magazine so that she wanted to create a new style. In order to achieve her aim, she went to many fashion house and hair salon.

On Saturday morning, Amy got up early and was tense very much. She had used a half day to dress up. Moreover, she asked her mother is it beautiful again and again. It was about 6 o’clock, she left home at last. Her mother said that , “Have a nice time.”

That evening, Amy arrived the place which they had meeting. Amy waited about 5 minutes, David arrived. When David was seeing Amy, she was loud to say that ‘Oh my good! Who are you? You are not Amy, Amy is so beautiful ! Amy cried at once and said that ‘I hate you forever, you don’t find me in the future!’ Then , Amy were running after he said.

(214)

HKCEE Writing Task 2 - Essay Competition

Do you want to work with a famous fashion designer?
The answer to the question is a “yes” to me and most young people who are interested in fashion and design. This is the reason I decide to take part in essay competition.

I have a great interest in fashion industry. If I have the opportunity to work with a famous fashion designer, I can learn not only knowledge but also get some experience out of the textbook.

If I graduate from the secondary school, I will choose to work for the fashion industry. The work experience will therefore be a valuable thing for me. I believe most fashion companies will favorably consider applicants with work experience apart from good academic results. With the opportunity, I can learn how to design the clothes and improve my communication skills.

I know that the salary or pay for fashion designers is not high, especially when they are new. It is also difficult to be a successful designer without hard work and talents. With the opportunity to work, I will follow instructions, and keep my good manner to work with colleagues to serve consumers. I will also be responsible and go to work on time. Having the part time job will also help me become more independent and learn to solve the problems.

If I earn some money, I will buy a computer to help me improve my design skills. I will also save the money for oversea trips during holidays. I also love to visit Milan which is an outstanding city for top trendy fashion productions.

Finally, I hope that I will win this essay competition that will help to make my dream come truce. I will definitely treasure this experience. (282 words)

• C - 4
  Meet the task requirements,
  Relevant content,
  Ideas well developed,
  Good sentences,
  Accurate grammar,
  Wide range of vocabulary,
  Good organization,
  Good cohesion,
  Good idea link,
  Good style,
  Well achieved aim,
  Sensitive to reader’s needs.
  

HKCEE Writing Task 1 - An Embarrassing Experience

One day after the lesson, Peter, a shy boy invited Amy, his beautiful classmate to go to the cinema with him on Saturday .Amy was very happy to accept his invitation. She was very excited, too.

On Friday, Amy went to a Fashion House to buy some new clothes. She also went to Hair Salon to have her hair cut. Now, Amy looked very different now.

When Saturday arrived, Amy wore her new dress to the cinema. Her mother told her not to be too late to come home.

Amy met Peter at the entrance of the cinema, but she was very embarrassed. She saw many of her classmates sitting around Peter and her. Peter felt embarrassed, too. Both of them would like the movie to finish as soon as possible. (132 words)

• C - 4
  Meet the task requirements,
  Relevant content,
  Ideas well developed,
  Good sentences,
  Accurate grammar,
  Wide range of vocabulary,
  Good organization,
  Good cohesion,
  Good idea link,
  Good style,
  Well achieved aim,
  Sensitive to reader’s needs.

HKCEE Writing Task - My Visit to Hong Kong

Last summer you were a tourist visiting Hong Kong for the first time. One weekend you went swimming and had a horrible experience. You are now back in your own country and are writing an account of your experience for your school magazine, Say what happened and how you felt about it.


Dear Editor

I went to Hong Kong last summer, and I had an unhappy tour in Hong Kong. I would like to share my experience, and I hope my readers can feel my anger and disappointment.

I went to Hong Kong with my friends. When I arrived there, I saw a crowd of taxi cars waiting next to the airport, I chose the first one and got onto the taxi. But the driver did not know English, he did not understand what we said, so we got off the taxi, and waited for another driver who knew English. Half an hour later, we finally got into a taxi that took us to the hotel we booked.

When we entered into the hotel, I saw a sleepy porter, and we had to open the door ourselves. When we got into the hotel room, we wore our swimming suits and walked down to the beach near the hotel a few minutes later.

We were terrified by the view of the beach, no one was swimming there, there seem to be a lonely place. We could find rubbish everywhere, and we could also smell the polluted air around us. We walked near the sea, some rubbish and fish bodies were floating on the water. We could not bear the place like this, we had to leave. Unfortunately, I cut my foot with a piece of sharp glass that hurt me so much. My friends called the ambulance and I was brought to a nearby hospital.

I stayed in the hospital for three days. I had to delay my plane to fly back. I was so disappointed could not visit any places in Hong Kong during my stay.

(281 words)

• C - 4
  Meet the task requirements,
  Relevant content,
  Ideas well developed,
  Good sentences,
  Accurate grammar,
  Wide range of vocabulary,
  Good organization,
  Good cohesion,
  Good idea link,
  Good style,
  Well achieved aim,
  Sensitive to reader’s needs.

HKCEE Writing Task - HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG

Revised Version

I am writing to share a fearful experience of my first visit to Hong Kong. Last summer, I joined a three day tour to Hong Kong with my girl friend. We have a pleasant beginning but with an unhappy ending.

On the first day, when we arrived at Hong Kong international airport in the morning, I felt very excited. Then, we went to Tsim Sha Tsui to the hotel that we stayed. In the afternoon, we went to buy some souvenirs for our parents., we arrived at the harbor city. I bought a new mobile phone for my dad because his mobile phone was broken. My girl friend bought a lot of brand cosmetic products, such as Doir, Fancl and Tommy. They were very expensive.

When we finished shopping, we went to Aberdeen for dinner. Aberdeen is one of the most popular places for sea food in Hong Kong. We ordered three dishes of sea food, such as shelter sauté crab and sauté lobster. They were very delicious and I was interested in trying them again.

On the second day, we went swimming in Repulse Bay in the morning. We also bought some bread and chicken wings for our barbecue trip. When we arrived at the barbecuing site, we saw few teenagers leaving some decanters on the ground. Also, they did not throw the rubbish into the litter bins .They threw it every where . My leg started bleeding when I stepped on the broken decanter .We called the ambulance immediately. So, all the activities were cancelled in the afternoon. I felt very unhappy about the unexpected accident.

I must say I feel very disappointed with the Hong Kong tour because the unexpected event happened. I also had a horrible experience when I went swimming in the beach. I wish the Hong Kong government will do more to protect the environment.

• C - 4 ( a low C after the revision)
  Meet the task requirements,
  Relevant content,
  Ideas well developed,
  Good sentences,
  Accurate grammar,
  Wide range of vocabulary,
  Good organization,
  Good cohesion,
  Good idea link,
  Good style,
  Well achieved aim,
  Sensitive to reader’s needs.

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Original version


HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG
I am writing to share my fearful experience of the first time visit of Hong Kong. Last summer, i joined a three day tour to Hong Kong with my girl-friend. We have a pleasant beginning and unhappy ending.

On the first day. We arrived Hong Kong international airport in the morning. I felt very excited when I arrived .After that, we went to Tsim Sha Tsui to check in the hotel. In the afternoon, we would like to buy some souvenirs for our parents. Therefore , we went to travel harbor city. I bought a new mobile phone for my dad because his mobile phone was broken. As for my honey, she bought lots of branded cosmetic such as Doir, Fancl and Tommy. It is very expensive .When we finished shopping, we went to Aberdeen for our dinner. Aberdeen is the most popular place to provide sea food. We ordered three type of sea food. For example, shelter sauté crab and sauté lobster. It is very delicious because i was interested to try again.

Second day, we went swimming in Repulse Bay in the morning. We also bought some bread and chicken wings to barbecue. When we arrived the barbecue, we saw few teenager who fell decanters on the floor. Move rover ,they did not throw the rubbish into the litter bin .They threw it on the floor.Suddenly.my leg was blooding because it made by broken decanter .We needed to call the ambulance immediately. So, all of activity will be cancel in the afternoon. I felt unexpected accident.

Lastly, I felt very disappointed in the this tour because i unexpected event was appear. Besides I have a horrible experience about swimming. I wish the government will be done more protection of environment.

HKCEE Writing Task 2 - a Letter to Editor

The idea of “keeping fit “is being overemphasized these days. There are girls and ladies going to fitness centre and beauty salon to slim down. Do you think it is a good thing?

Dear Editor

I do not think that being slim is the only standard / criterion for beauty. l also do not think ladies or girls going to fitness centre and beauty salon to slim down is a good thing. Slimming is surely being overemphasized by our society. There are three reasons to explain the situation.

Firstly, we can see slim teenagers have been received better than fat boys and girls. So, we can see people always play tricks on their fat classmates or employees. Being bulky or fat is a mark of being foolish and lazy. On the other hand, being slim with a good body shape can give people a good impression. This is why so many girls or ladies visit salon and fitness centre to slim down.

Secondly, girls and ladies need to spend a lot of money to help them keep fit, when they visit the fitness centre to slim down. It costs them a lot because the fitness business charges them a lot to advertise their products to the consumers; for example, they may employ famous stars to do it and the advertisement expense will automatically be transferred to customers.

Lastly, I believe there are many other ways to keep fit. For example, we can do more exercise that is more effective way to slim down. This is also a healthy way and it can save money.

To sum up, I think having a slim body can enhance the competitiveness of girls and ladies. But it does not mean we must visit beauty salon and fitness centre to slim down. Exercise and sports can also help to improve the beauty of our body.

Yours Faithfully
Chris Wong
Chris Wong

• B – 5
  Highly meet the task requirements,
  Highly relevant content,
  Ideas very well developed,
  Very well written sentences,
  Highly accurate grammar,
  Very wide range of vocabulary,
  Very good organization,
  Very good cohesion,
  Very good idea link,
  Very good style,
  Very well achieved aim,
  Highly sensitive to reader’s needs.

HKCEE Writing Task 1

Revised version

It was my friend’s birthday yesterday. I took her to a new restaurant for a meal.It is called "Lucky Choice Seafood Restaurant"

First I ordered some drink and seafood, such as lobster, fish, shrimp, and soft drink. When I looked into the “STAFF ONLY” room, I was shocked because l saw something terrible. The chef was smoking while he was preparing the food. Then, I turned myself to another direction where I was facing a fish tank. There were a lot of dying fish in the tank.

When I looked around to see how the environment was like, I saw a lot of rats and small insects running and crawling on the floor. I also noticed that there was a lot of rubbish everywhere, especially beside the rubbish bin. Rubbish such as plastic bags, leftover food and pieces of paper were scattering around. They could carry plague that could also cause serious disease.

I went into a toilet. The place was very dirty and disgusting. The door of the toiletcould not be properly closed. The wall and the mirror were printed in red. The tissue rolls were wet. There was hair and water on the floor. There was no water flowing from the tap. I could not wash my hand after I use the toilet.

The service was poor. The seafood dishes took nearly an hour to cook, and we got them after we had waited for more than an hour. The quality of the food was poor and it did not taste delicious at all. After the dinner, I felt a stomach ache and I wanted to vomit. So, I called the manager to express my dissatisfaction. The manager said, "If you don't like the food, get out of here."

I will never come to this restaurant again!

What grade will you give to the revised version? Assign a grade in the comment box.
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Original Version

Yesterday was my friend birthday , I took her to a new restaurant for a meal.It is call "LUCKY CHOICE DEAFOOD RESTAURANT"

First, I ordered some frink and seafood such as lobster, fish, shrimp and soft drink.After then, I look at the STAFF ONLY room when I was waiting. i was shocked becausel saw something terrible. The chef was smoking while he prepare some food .Then, I turned away myself, the fish globe is facing me. There were fishes died in th globe.

For environment, there were lots of rats and pest ranning on the floor. I also noticed that there wer rubbish everywhere, especially beside the rubbish bin. Rubbish such asplastic bag, leftover food and a piece of paper. That can carry serious disease such as theplague.

I went to the toilet, The place wes dirth, small and disgusty. The dorr of the toiletcan not properly closed. the wall and mirror had been print by people. the tissue paperswere wet. There also were hairs and water on the floor. There had not water from the tap.I can not washed my hand when after toilet.

For the survice, the sea dishe had not been finished unit I had waited for one hour. The quality of the food were cheap and not delicioul. After the dinner, I feel stomache ache want to womit. so, l called the managed to pressed my view. The manage told that"If you don't like the food. GET out."

I never to come this resturant again unit it is clean and will been improve.

• E - 2
• Rarely meet the task requirements,
• Rarely relevant content,
• Ideas not developed,
• Poor sentences,
• Grammar inaccurate, poor spellings
• Weak vocabulary,
• Poor organization,
• Poor cohesion,
• Poor idea link,
• Poor style,
• Poorly achieved aim,
• Not sensitive to reader’s needs.

HKCEE Writing Task 2 - a Letter to Editor

Revised version

Dear editor,

I agree that it is more important to be intelligent than to have a good look. If I can only choose one of them, I would choose intelligence.

With a beautiful look, it helps increase your self-confident, so you will feel great about yourself. You can also attract more people looking at you. Sometimes, you can even attract persons of the opposite sex to express their love to you.

But in fact, beauty is short-termed, therefore it cannot stand the time. People can easily forget you when time passes. The external of beauty is not important, it is because when you become aged, the external of beauty will also disappear.

For the advantage of intelligence, it has a long-term value. With intelligence one can easily solve problems, memorise new concepts, and understand how things work. If we are intelligent, we can easily make achievement, we can make contribution in our work, and we can also learn new things.

In fact, I cannot find any disadvantage of being intelligent. So I believe intelligence has nothing to do with disadvantages. However, if we are stupid, we will be very inconvenient in daily live.

Base on the above points, we can see that it is more important to be intelligent than to have a good look. I think the main point is that intelligence can last forever,


Best Regards
Chris Wong
Chris Wong

What grade will you give to the revised version? Assign a grade in the comment box.

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Original Version

Dear editor,
I’m agree that it is more important to be intelligent than good-looking. If I can only choice one of them, I would to choose intelligent.
For advantage of beauty, if you are beautiful, you will get self-confident and feel so good, so that you can make more people looking for you. Sometimes, you also can attract opposite sex love you.
But in fact, beauty is short termed, therefore you can get people to love you less time. The external of beauty is not important, it is because when you become to age, the external of beauty will disappear.
For the advantage of intelligent, it is ever can be use. It can help solve problem, remember some things, and understand some things. If we are intelligent, we can easy to achieve activities of daily livings, we can easy to achieve our work, and we can easy to understand our studies. Totally, it can make us to get convenient in many things. When you become to age, it will not disappear.
In fact, I can not find the disadvantage of intelligent. And also, I believe intelligent is no disadvantage, it has most advantages only. If people are stupid that they will feel inconvenience in daily livings.
Base on above points, we can see that it is more important to be intelligent than good-looking. Intelligent is more important, I think the main point is intelligent can be use forever, whatever, whenever...etc.
I’m witting for your reply.

• D - 3
• Generally meet the task requirements,
• Generally relevant content,
• Ideas generally developed,
• Generally appropriate sentences,
• Grammar generally accurate,
• Limited range of vocabulary,
• Generally good organization,
• Generally good cohesion,
• Generally good idea link,
• Generally good style,
• Generally well achieved aim,
• Generally sensitive to reader’s needs.

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HKCEE Writing Task 1 - Dating

Revised Version

Amy is a kind and helpful girl. Everyone loves her and wants to be her friend.

After the English lesson, David asked, “Amy, would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday?” “I’d love to.” Amy was happy. David was Amy’s classmate. David was handsome. He was also a humorous person, too. Many girls liked him very much. So did Amy.

Amy valued the dating so much. Amy wanted to give a good impression to David on the day. She bought some new clothes and some make-up things. She also visited a hair salon for her new hair style. She prepared this for a whole day. “Have a nice time, Amy. Don’t be late home.” Amy’s mother said when Amy was ready to go. “OK. Bye mum!.” Amy responded cheerfully.

She arrived a few minutes earlier. She was excited until she saw a girl walking with David and waving to her. The girl was Doris, David’s girlfriend. Amy’s heart was broken. She was sad but didn’t know that David was only interested in her new style. That was a bad day for Amy’s whole life.

What grade will you give to the revised version? Assign a grade in the comment box.

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Original Version

Amy is a kind and helpful girl. Everyone loves her and love being friend with her. One day when it is English lesson. “Amy, would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday?” David asked. “I’d love to” Amy was happy. David is Amy’s classmate. David is a handsome boy. He is an interesting person and most of the girls like him very much including Amy.

Amy values the date so much. Amy wants to give a good image for the first data. She buys a new clothes and make-up a new hair style. She was prepared this hold day. “Have a nice time, Amy. Don’t be late home.” Amy’s mother said when Amy was really to go. “OK. Bye mum.” Amy answer mother. She was arrived early few minute. She was excited until who saw a girl with David was coming. The girl calls Doris who is David’s girlfriend. Amy’s heart has broken. She was sad but nobody knows and David just interested Amy’s new style. That was a bad day on Amy’s hold life.

• D - 3
• Generally meet the task requirements,
• Generally relevant content,
• Ideas generally developed,
• Generally appropriate sentences,
• Grammar generally accurate,
• Limited range of vocabulary,
• Generally good organization,
• Generally good cohesion,
• Generally good idea link,
• Generally good style,
• Generally well achieved aim,
• Generally sensitive to reader’s needs.
  

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HKCEE Writing Task 1 - A New Look

The revised version

One day, David asked Amy, “Amy, would you like to go to cinema with me for a movie on Saturday?” Amy felt happy and said, “I’d love to.”

Then Amy went to a fashion house for a new outfit. She also went shopping and bought some new shoes.

On Saturday, Amy dressed herself up with the new outfit. When she left her home, she said goodbye to her mum. Her mum said, “Have a nice time! Don’t come home too late!”

When David saw Amy in at the entrance of the cinema, he did not like Amy’s new outlook. So, he told her, “Amy, what have you done to yourself?” I do not like your new look!” Then Amy cried and left David immediately.

She ran to a nearby park close to her home. But she didn’t want to go home. She was sitting and crying in the Park when her mom was looking for her. She called Amy. But Amy had switched off her mobile phone. So her mum was so worried about her.

Luckily, her mum found her in the Park. When her saw Amy, Amy’s eyes were so red. Her Mum took her home and made her go to sleep. She said, “Dear, just try to sleep and don’t think of the unhappy experience.” Amy said, “Yes, Mum.”

On Monday, when Amy was at school, she did not talk with David because she could not forget the unhappy experience and David also hated her new look so much.

Which grade will you give to the revised version? a C or a D? Assign a grade in the comment box.



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Original Version
A New Look

One day, David asked to Amy that “Amy would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday?” Amy feel happy and answer him that “I’d love to.”

Then Amy sent to fashion house to change her image. After then, she went to shopping and buy more item to change her image.

In Saturday, Amy had finish her image and when her leave her home, she say goodbye to her mum. Her mum said, “Have a nice time! Don’t be late home!”

When David saw Amy in cinema, she was not like Amy’s image now. So, he tell him, “Amy, what are you doing?” I am not like you now!” Then Amy was crying and leave David. She run to park near her home. But she didn’t want to go home, She was sitting in the Park. After, her mom can’t find her so, she call Amy but Amy switch off her mobile phone. So her mum was so worried about her. Luckily, her mum had found him in the Park. When her saw Amy, Amy’s eyes was so red. Her Mum bring her went back to home and tell her! Amy, go to sleep, don’t think other thing, Amy answer her “Yes, Mum.”

When Amy go school, she never talk with David because David hate her very much.

E - 2

• Rarely meet the task requirements,
• Rarely relevant content,
• Ideas not developed,
• Poor sentences,
• Grammar inaccurate,
• Weak vocabulary,
• Poor organization,
• Poor cohesion,
• Poor idea link,
• Poor style,
• Poorly achieved aim,
• Not sensitive to reader’s needs.

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HKCEE Writing Task 2 - a Letter to Editor

Revised Version

23rd March, 2008

Dear editor,

I do not agree that having a good personal hygiene is enough to help decrease the spread of flu virus. In fact, a good personal hygiene may be able to help decrease the spread of flu virus, but it is not enough to stop it from spreading. I would like to give some of my views about that.

I think if we want to decrease the spread of flu virus, we must pay attention to our daily routines, such as personal hygiene, sport activities, a balanced diet.

To keep the personal hygiene, we should wash our hands thoroughly and take a bath daily. Cleaning our house is also important. We should wash our clothes daily. If we have got a running nose, we should use face mask in the public place. We should also use water or tissue to clean ourselves immediately after sneezing.

To keep us strong, we should exercise and engage in sport activities every day. For example, we can walk eight thousands steps daily, do some exercise daily, etc. Also, we can play some ball games in our free time.

To have a balanced diet, we should eat regularly. Don’t miss any meal. Don’t eat too much snack. People should eat healthy food at meal, for example, vegetable, fruit, fish, meat, and rice.

Generally speaking, having a good personal hygiene is not enough to help decrease the spread of flu virus. We should also keep ourselves strong by regular exercise and eat healthy food. If we can pay attention to the suggestions, we can keep ourselves healthy and clean. The virus will then disappear soon.
Regards
John Lee

John Lee

• B – 5
• Highly meet the task requirements,
• Highly relevant content,
• Ideas very well developed,
• Very well written sentences,
• Highly accurate grammar,
• Very wide range of vocabulary,
• Very good organization,
• Very good cohesion,
• Very good idea link,
• Very good style,
• Very well achieved aim,
• Highly sensitive to reader’s needs.

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Original Version

Dear editor:
I not agree that people have a good personal hygiene is enough to help decrease the spread of flu virus. In fact, people have a good personal hygiene is able to help decrease the spread of flu virus, but not enough. I would like to raise to you some points about that.
I think people want to decrease the spread of flu virus, they must pay attention for accustomed of life, there are personal hygiene, sport, balanced of diet.
For the personal hygiene, people should wash their hand hardly and go to bath daily. Cleaning their house is important also. They should wash their clothes daily. If they have got running nose, they should use water or tissue to clean that immediately.
For the sport, people should be fit of sport daily, for example, walking eight thousands steps daily, doing morning exercise daily…etc. Also, people can play some ball games at free time.
For the balanced of diet, people should eat at every morning, afternoon, night. Don’t miss any meal. Don’t eat a lot of snacks. People should eat some health’s food at every meal, for example, vegetable, fruit, fish, meat…etc.
Generally, having a good personal hygiene is not enough to help decrease the spread of flu virus. People should achieve above three tasks that they can help to decrease the spread of flu virus. People must keep doing those, and don’t halfway give up.

Regards

John Lee
John Lee

23-3-2008

• D - 3
• Generally meet the task requirements,
• Generally relevant content,
• Ideas generally developed,
• Generally appropriate sentences,
• Grammar generally accurate,
• Limited range of vocabulary,
• Generally good organization,
• Generally good cohesion,
• Generally good idea link,
• Generally good style,
• Generally well achieved aim,
• Generally sensitive to reader’s needs.

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HKCEE Writing Task 1 - An Amazing Day

Revised Version

An Amazing Day

David fell in love with Amy the first day he saw her at school. After the lesson, he asked ‘Amy, would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday?’ He was so embarrassed. Then Amy said, ‘ Yes, sure! I’d love to.’ She was so happy and excited. David then said, ‘See you on Saturday! Bye!’ He was excited, too.

On Saturday morning, Amy got up early and had her breakfast. Then, she went to a Fashion House. She wanted to have a sexy look. So Amy chose a trendy dress. After that Amy went to the Lee’s Hair Salon. Finally, she was back at home. Her mother said, ‘Have a nice time, Amy! Don’t come home too late.’ Amy replied, ‘OK, bye Mum!’

That evening, David was at the cinema half an hour earlier. Although Amy was late, David was very happy. They chose a romantic film. In the cinema, he wanted to express his love to Amy.

He said ‘Maybe I will sound stupid, silly, or rude to you, but I want to express myself clearly. I love you. I want to be your boy friend.’ He was very afraid. Amy thought for a moment. Then she responded, ‘I want to be your girl friend, too.’ she said sweetly. He told her, ‘I can’t give you a special gift. I can give you my sincere love.’ She replied with a smile ‘I love you, too.’
.

C - 4

• Meet the task requirements,
• Relevant content,Ideas well developed,
• Good sentences,
• Accurate grammar,
• Wide range of vocabulary,
• Good organization,
• Good cohesion,
• Good idea link,
• Good style,
• Well achieved aim,
• Sensitive to reader’s needs.

Original Version

An Amazing Day
David fell in love with Amy the first day he saw her on the lesson. After the lesson, he asked ‘Amy would you like to go to the cinema with me on Saturday?’ He was so embarrassed. Then Amy said ‘I` d love to.’ She was happy and excited. After that David answered ‘See you on Saturday! Bye’ He was excited, too.
On Saturday morning, Amy got up early and has a breakfast. Then, she went to Fashion House. She wanted to be a sexy girl. By the way, Amt had chosen a trendily dress. After that, Amy went to the Lee `s Hair Salon. Finally, she backed home. Her mother said ‘Have a nice time, Amy. Don `t be late home.’ Amy replied ‘OK BYE Mum’
That evening David was already went to cinema. Although Amy was late, David was very happy. They were chosen the romantic film. In the cinema, he wanted to profess. He said ‘I am stupid, silly and rude, but now I want to express clearly. I love you. I want to be your boy friend.’ He was very afraid. Amy thinks a moment. Then she answered ‘I want, too.’ she was sweetly. He tells her that ‘I can `t gives you a special love. However I can give you a formal love.’ She replied with a smile ‘I love you.’

D

D - 3

• Generally meet the task requirements,
• Generally relevant content, (not always sound logical)
• Ideas generally developed,
• Generally appropriate sentences,
• Grammar generally accurate, ( with quite a number of careless mistakes)
• Limited range of vocabulary, ( wrong spellings)
• Generally good organization,
• Generally good cohesion,
• Generally good idea link,
• Generally good style,
• Generally well achieved aim,
• Generally sensitive to reader’s needs.

Writing Marking Scheme (HKCEE)

A - 6
Content

• Fully meet the task requirements,
• Totally relevant,
• Ideas excellently developed,
  

Language & Usage

• Excellent sentences,
• Grammar totally accurate,
• Extremely wide vocabulary range,
  

Organization

• Excellent organization,
• Excellent cohesion,
• Excellent idea link,
  

Genre & Style

• Excellent style,
• Highly well achieved aim,
• Highly sensitive to reader’s needs.
  
  

B – 5

• Highly meet the task requirements,
• Highly relevant content,
• Ideas very well developed,
• Very well written sentences,
• Highly accurate grammar,
• Very wide range of vocabulary,
• Very good organization,
• Very good cohesion,
• Very good idea link,
• Very good style,
• Very well achieved aim,
• Highly sensitive to reader’s needs.

C - 4

• Meet the task requirements,
• Relevant content,
• Ideas well developed,
• Good sentences,
• Accurate grammar,
• Wide range of vocabulary,
• Good organization,
• Good cohesion,
• Good idea link,
• Good style,
• Well achieved aim,
• Sensitive to reader’s needs.

D - 3

• Generally meet the task requirements,
• Generally relevant content,
• Ideas generally developed,
• Generally appropriate sentences,
• Grammar generally accurate,
• Limited range of vocabulary,
• Generally good organization,
• Generally good cohesion,
• Generally good idea link,
• Generally good style,
• Generally well achieved aim,
• Generally sensitive to reader’s needs.

E - 2

• Rarely meet the task requirements,
• Rarely relevant content,
• Ideas not developed,
• Poor sentences,
• Grammar inaccurate,
• Weak vocabulary,
• Poor organization,
• Poor cohesion,
• Poor idea link,
• Poor style,
• Poorly achieved aim,
• Not sensitive to reader’s needs.

F - 1

• Failed to meet the task requirements,
• Not relevant content,
• Ideas not developed at all,
• Very poor sentences,
• Grammar inaccurate,
• Very weak vocabulary,
• Very Poor organization,
• Very Poor cohesion,
• Very poor idea link,
• Very poor style,
• Very poorly achieved aim,
• Not at all sensitive to reader’s needs.

U - 0

• Totally inadequate content,
• Totally poor language,
• Totally failed organisation,
• Totally poor style.
• Not at all achieved aim

HKCEE Writing Task 2 Paper IB - 2 Topics for Practice

Write about 250 words on ONE of the following:

1. "Having a good personal hygiene is enough to help reduce the spread of flu virus". Do you agree? Write a letter to the editor of the Young Post giving your opinions. Start your letter "Dear Editor", and sign it "John Lee". Do not write an address.
2. Hong Kong factories are moving to inland provinces, such as Hunan to avoid pollution checks. Some people think it can help to avoid air and water pollution in coastal regions, including Hong Kong. However, some believe that the China government should more to make the factory owners to comply with environment protection policies. Discuss the arguments for and against this, and then give your own view.

References

1. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Flu-Hygiene.htm
2. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/47076/story.htm

(Please note that dictionaries or reference materials are not allowed during the exam.)

HKCEE Writing Task 2 Paper IB - 2 Topics for Practice

You are John Lee, a Form 5 student and the president of the Computer Club in your school. You have received the following letter from your Principal.


To: John Lee
From: Ms Chan, Principal

John, I'd like your club to make some suggestions to promote the use of the following three some learning websites for primary school students to improve their Chinese, English, and Mathematics after school.
The three Internet learning sites are:

1. a Chinese reading site at http://www.smallcampus.net/entrance/
2. an English reading site at http://www.eng8.hk/index2.php
3. a mathematics learning site at http://map.school.net.hk/

The promotion activities will include

• students and parents
• show students and parents how to use the sites
• not cost too much.

Thank you very much, Ms Chan.

Write your suggestions in about 100 words. You should use connected sentences rather than lists of bullet.

Listening and Note-taking (HKCEE Paper 2)

Pre-listening

• Make a very good use of your preparation time. Study the task. This means speedily read, re-read, and generally remember the related questions and information in the data file; scribble the key words and circle to highlight the important information.
• Predict and scribble your thinking in short phrases or simple lists; visualise the setting or scenario with your imagination.
• Avoid distractions: noisy candidates, walking invigilators, etc.
• make sure you can hear clearly. Voice your concern if you have any.
  

Listening

• As you listen, focus on one task at a time. You need to make sure you can not only listen to the audio task but also able to cross-check the written task specification, and write notes at the same time. (Yes, your eyes, ears, hands, and mind are working and coordinating intensively!!!!! So, more practice to prepare for the exam is the secret for your success!)
• It is better to take more notes than it is necessary, mark your notes and scribble the keywords with a pencil.
• Listen to and think for ways to relate ideas to complete the task. Try not to take notes in paragraph form.
• Take notes by extracting information or ideas and turning them into phrases: noun phrases, verb phrases, or prepositional phrase. Do not try to write everything down.
• Listen for clues: repeated phrases, stressed syllables, and some word spellings.
• Be calm but be alert! So you can avoid being nervous and making careless mistakes, such as getting incorrect spellings or wrong messages.
  

Post-listening

• Write the full answer.
• Review and proofread your answers .
• Wipe off or clean up your scribbling, unrelated writing, or marking from the answer booklet.
• Get ready for other tasks.

HKCEE Oral Practice - Task 3

Part A - Group Discussion (School Sports)

Your school wants to do something to promote sport activities and your group has been asked to design a poster by the principal.

Discuss with your group what you will suggest and why.

You may want to collect ideas on:

• different kinds of student's favourite sports
• how you can collect ideas and find out what the students want
• how the poster will attract the reader
• anything else you think is important

Try to imagine you are participating in the small group discussion which will last for about six minutes. Make sure you have a keen interest in expressing your viewpoint. But remember you must take a position so you'll have a stronger mood to contribute in the discussion.

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Part B Individual Response

Each individual candidate will be asked to response to a question based on the items discussed. You need to think of ideas for a one-minute response speech after the group discussion. Possible questions are:

1. What kinds of sports do you think you would definitely want to include it in the poster? Why?
2. Is it better to have more pictures or words? Why?
3. What do you think is the most popular sport among Hong Kong teenagers? Support your opinion with evidents.
4. When do you think is the best time of the year to promote sport activities to students? Why?

Good luck and enjoy your preparation for the coming exams!By the way, you may want to go to the link below to see the official movie for the HKCEE Oral Exam for more information.http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/files/wmv/ce07_eng_p4_video.wmv

HKCEE: Techniques for Reading Comprehension

The reading paper evaluates the proficiency level of candidates' reading skills. The exam tasks require candidates to read real-life related articles for general and specific information. It is wise to read for main ideas before getting into the details.

The following are techniques or strategies that will help readers to get an overall and specific meaning of the texts:

1. predicting the content
2. adopting a common theme
3. skimming for general ideas
4. scanning for specific information
5. identifying topic sentences
6. summarising a paragraph

Predicting the Content

Aways read the title very carefully to get a general idea about the passage. Use your common knowledge of the topic to predict the content of the passage. Ask yourself what genre, or text type, the text is adopting: fiction or non-fiction (flyer, newspaper, email, letter). If the text is a non-fiction, ask yourself the questions:

• What is the text about?
• Where does it come form?
• Who is the author?
• What position does the author hold when he expresses his opinion?
• How does the message convey to readers?

Adopting a Common Theme to reading

After getting a general idea about the content, you may now guess what are the possible theme you can attach to a topic area you're reading. Example of the themes can be:

• education
• tourism
• sports
• health and beauty
• interest clubs
• food and diet
• culture and festivals

Skimming for General Ideas

Before start reading a text in detail, always try to get a general idea of what the text is going to be about. This is called skimming – reading quickly certain parts of it:
· the first and last paragraphs of a text; and
· the first sentence of every paragraph

Scanning for Specific Information

You may not only want to get a general idea of a text, in some situations, they may need to locate specific information from the text quickly. You can do this by scanning.

Step for scanning

1. Look through the text quickly
2. Find relevant words / key words / phrases that help to locate the information. You will not read every word in the text.
3. Get the information

Identifying Topic Sentences

The main idea of a paragraph is usually captured or summarised in a “topic sentence”. Hence, two useful skills for understanding the main ideas of a paragraph are identifying topic sentences and summarising paragraphs.

General factual questions tend to be multiple-choice or matching questions, and they generally require the ability to

• choose from a list of the main ideas of a paragraph, or
• choose from a list of suitable summary statements for the paragraph.

Summarising a paragraph

To understand the main idea in a paragraph, it is necessary to summarise the paragraph in one simple sentence. This skill will always be used to answer the questions related to the main idea of a paragraph.