HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 1

Paper 3 tests how well you combine your English skills to (i) select and present information and (ii) write,
based on what you have read and heard.

1. Integrate your abilities for high scores
Listening tasks (the first three or four tasks)
There are around four listening tasks (with some writing in well!) and three writing tasks (with some
listening as well!) in Paper 3. (Paper3 taskstasks listening tasks
listeningwritingtasks extended writing tasks
listening)
1. Pre-listening skills: You are given several minutes to study the Question-Answer Book and the Data File
to familiarize yourself with the situation. This means that you are given time to read through the
questions in advance so that you can know what to listen for. Guess what you are about to hear so that
you can pay attention to the key points when the recoding is played. (Question-Answer
Book Data File
).
2. Listening and notes-taking skills: Take notes on key points as you listen the recording (
key points ).
3. Relevance: Include only the relevant and necessary words in your answers. (key points
phrases)
4. Fill forms, etc (): Use the notes you have taken from the recording to fill out forms, tables,
floor plans, etc. Know the tricks of the exam: (a) You need not use complete sentences. (b) Be careful
with your spelling. And when you copy a difficult word from a passage, dont copy it wrongly, e.g.
miscopy climate for climax () (). (c) Please also be careful with your grammar, e.g.
The meeting is held was held last month. Extended writing tasks (the last two or three tasks)
5. Scanning: Locate information from short passages/messages ().
6. Organization: Organize and convey information in a logical sequence so that the ideas/arguments are
clear. ().
7. Concise writing: Write short expressions and short sentences, because content carries around 60% of the
marks in extended writing tasks. You generally score half a mark for each correct point. Writing long
sentences will cost you more time and put you at a disadvantage. (Tasks

)
8. Brilliant writing: About 40% of the marks are given to (a) language (correct grammar, accurate spelling
and punctuation, good range of sentence structures); (b) coherence (besides
furthermore linking devices(HKDSE
http://englishwizard.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=2602589)); (c) tone (
upward communication downward communication ); (d)
paraphrasing (use your own words where appropriate).
9. Genres (): Use appropriate formats and styles for various genres (memos, e-mails, letters, proposals,
newsletters, short reports, pamphlets, announcements, agendas, posters, etc.) (extended writing
tasks reports
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 2

heading numbering ).

2. Handle the Data File
1. You will be given a Question-Answer Book and a Data File.
2. You can find around two-thirds of the answers in the Question-Answer Book and the Data File, and
around one-third in the recording
3. The Data File consists of around 10 tasks. You shall attempt ALL tasks in Part A (e.g. Tasks 1 - 4). For
Part B, attempt EITHER Section 1 (e.g. Tasks 6 7, the highest grade awarded being Level 4) OR
Section 2 (e.g. Tasks 8 - 10, the highest grade awarded being Level 5**).
4. The Data File comprises various types of information, e.g. memos, letters, emails, extracts (),
excerpt (), news, charts, table, floor plans.
5. The recording will give clear indication regarding page numbers, task numbers, the time given, etc.
Some sample extracts are as follows:
The test is about to begin.
Part A.
Look at page 2 of your Question-Answer Book.
You now have two minutes to familiarize yourself with Tasks 1 4.
Task 1. You now have 30 seconds to study the note-headings.
At the end of the task, you will have one and a half minutes to tidy up your answers.
Task 2 Task 3 Task 4
Part B.
You now have five minutes to familiarize yourself with Part Band the Data File.
Turn to page 2 of the Date File.
That is the end of the listening component of this test. You will have one hour and fifteen minutes
to complete the written tasks in either Section 1 or Section 2.
6. You will be given four types of preparation time.
During the preparation time (around 2 minutes) for the listening tasks in general (Tasks 1-4) in Part
A, scan all four tasks in the Question-Matters. Gain a general idea regarding what subject the tasks
are about. Underline if necessary.
During the preparation time (around 30 seconds) for each listening task: Skim through the
instructions, headings or sub-headings for keywords so that you can better understand what answers
are required. Underline if necessary. Anticipate the contents of the recording and listen for the
keywords.
During the tidying-up time (around one minute and half) for each listening task: Read through your
answers for any careless mistakes. Be careful with spelling and capitalization of proper names.
Cross out unwanted words neatly. Make sure your answers are legibly and easy to read.
During the preparation time (around five minutes) for the written tasks in Part B and the Data File,
Section 1 or Section 2 in both cases: Scan the content page and then the contents of the Data File
(Section 1 or 2). Then, scan the questions in Part B (Section 1 or 2). Try to anticipate the recording
contents and how it will relate to the question requirements and the Data File contents.
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 3

3. Listen skillfully

1. Pre-listening skills. ()
2. Know the turn of conversation. ()
3. Listen for content words. ()
4. Identify important points. ()
5. Pay attention to transitional words. ()
6. Never panic. ()
1. Pre-listening skills. () You are given several minutes to study the Question-Answer Book and
the Data File to familiarize yourself with the situation. This means that you are given time to read
through the questions in advance so that you can know what to listen for. Guess what you are about to
hear so that you can pay attention to the key points when the recoding is played. (
Question-Answer Book Data File
).
2. Know the turn of conversation. () A turn in conversation is a statement or
question and the response that follows. In a recording, one turn may contain one or more answers, and
the answer may EITHER follow the question immediately OR it may be in some lines after. Bear this in
mind in listening. Read the following two examples: (A A
task recording tasksB
A A B A

A )
Example 1
Louis: Just wonder what time does the concert start tomorrow night? 8:00 or 8:15 pm?
Kay: 8:15 pm. (In this turn, the answer follows the question immediately.)
Example 2
Louis: Just wonder what time does the concert start tomorrow night? 8:00 or 8:15 pm?
Kay: Which one, Nokia Joey Yung Concert Number 6 () or the Hong Kong
Stadium Concert ()?
Louis: The Hong Kong Stadium Concert.
Kay: Oh, are you going to go?
Louis: Sure. Would you come with me?
Kay: That would be great.
Louis: Its going to be very crowded. Although the concert starts at 8:15 pm, why dont
we have dinner together and get there before 7:30pm? (In this turn, the answer follows
the question some lines after.)
Kay: Im afraid I cant. I have an appointment for dinner with my boyfriend for tomorrow
night, and I think he would take me to Hong Kong Stadium around 8:00 pm to meet
you. (Here, Kay makes a turn to another topic - Kays dinner appointment with her
boyfriend.)

HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 4

3. Listen for content words. ()
Content words are often nouns, in particular:
(a) dates;
(b) times;
(c) amounts (e.g. Ha, ha! Lets think about what we have to include. Well, the video cameras for the filming
for a start. That would be $5,000 per household.);
(d) proper nouns such as place names (e.g. You mean somewhere like Tokyo.) and person names; and
(e) verbs, adjectives, and sometimes adverbs.
Articles (determiners), prepositions, and conjunctions are not content words but function words ()
which fulfill grammatical functions.
(content words content words 4 )
4. Identify important points. ()
(a) Listen for stressed words and phrases.
(recording recording
)
Example:
David: Yes, but it would be a great prize and I reckon a long weekend in a place like that for a small family
wouldnt come to more than $15,000.
Mary: Fifty?
David: Fifteen.
(b) Note key pieces of information such as names, dates, places, times and amounts. (
)
(c) Be alert to points deliberately made obscure. (Recording
)
Read this example:
David: Yes, that, and also how long we will need to get the show ready and produce it. Well, I suppose we
would have to allow a couple of months to get the contestants set up and then we could aim at making
enough episodes for a couple of months, say eight episodes in total.
Mary: Yes, that sounds reasonable, so FOUR MONTHS IN TOTAL. Two for getting the people together
and then eight weeks worth of episodes. Lets put them down. (recording
FOUR MONTHS IN TOTAL )
5. Pay attention to transitional words. ()
They are: butyetwhilehowever meanwhilehow aboutwhy not notwithstanding. They indicate
a change of ideas. (point point)
6. Never panic. ()
Panic can make you lose track of the recording () and worsen matters.
Dont panic if you miss a word or two, since the recording often repeat some words. (
) Dont panic if you dont know the spelling of a word, since the recording will give the
spellings of some words. Write down every word spelt to you. They MUST BE the answers. (
)
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 5

4. Symbols and abbreviations for taking notes
(a) Symbols for notes-taking
Taking notes as you listen is the best way to keep track of the information. Here are some symbols for taking
notes.
Abbreviation Meaning Example
& (+) and
/ or John/Peter = John or Peter
+ plus, in addition to
increase
He got salary 5% = He got a salary increase of
5%.
decrease
H noted of members = He noted a decrease of
members.
# number # of jobs = no. of jobs decreased
@ at
See you @ Sogo, CB = See you at Sogo, Causeway
Bay
~ about ~$1,000 = about $1,000
>
greater / more than / better
than

< smaller / less than
= is the same as / equal to
is not the same as
because
He X comebecause he sick = He did not come
because he was sick.
therefore
An exhibition U write a leaflet = You need to
write a leaflet for an exhibition.
T/ Phone somebody T/Peter now = Please telephone Peter now.
w/ with
w/o without w/o much ado = without much ado
X not / dont He me X do = He told me not to do that.
woman / female
man / male

this leads to / produces /
causes
Chairman of Geog Soc a speech = As Chairman
of the Geography Society, you had to make a
speech.
is caused by Failure laziness = Failure is caused by laziness.





HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 6

(b) Abbreviations for notes-taking
Taking notes as you listen is the best way to keep track of the information. Here are some abbreviations for
taking notes.
Abbreviation Meaning Example
ad advertisement
asap as soon as possible Do it asap. = Do it as soon as possible.
c19 nineteenth century
cd could
Cd you prepare it? = Could you prepare
it
ch chapter (chapters)
dept department Police Dept = Police Department
devt development
drinking drinkg g ing
e.g. for example
edn edition
educ education
etc. and the rest
fds friends
govt government
H He H X agree = He did not agree.
i.e. that is, that means
impt important impt to = important to
info information
L/P leave location
L/T leave telephone
H me L/P = He asked me to leave
him my telephone number.
max maximum max - $100 = $100 at the maximum
nb important, notice this
p. (pp.) page (pages) pp. 18-20 = pages 18-20
para. paragraph
pro professional
rep representative
Peter - my rep = Peter is my
representative
sb somebody Sb told me = Somebody told me
sth something
walking walkg g ing
wd would
U you


HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 7

5. Typical listening questions
1. Many Paper 3 questions are in table forms. Each table is a collection of short questions.
2. Some questions may require you to put a tick () in a square (o).
3. Some columns in the table may require you to fill in more than one thing. (
)
Advantages +reasons / results Disadvantages +reasons / results
Activity A J Keep alert to both the advantages and
whys in the recording.J The recording may
or may not expressly mention the word
advantages / reasons/results when talking
about them.
J Keep alert to both the disadvantages and
whys in the recording.J The recording may or
may not expressly mention the word
disadvantages / reasons/results when talking
about them.
4. What you hear may not be true.
Recording: Kelly: Jack, are you coming to our Christmas barbeque? It is a great way to celebrate the
festival. Jack: Yes, Ill bring beef and pork for the barbeque if you like. Kelly: Well,
actually, my boyfriend Rob will bring them. Jack: Thats good. OK, then Ill
bring prawn and squid. Kelly: Ill bring the charcoal. Jack: Dont bother about that. Ive
got plenty left over from a barbeque I had with my friends last week.
Question: What is Jack going to bring for the barbeque?
A. beef and pork
B. beef, pork and charcoal
C. prawn and squid
D. prawn, squid and charcoal
Comment:
(1) You hear that Jack will bring beef and pork, but actually hell not, because Kelly stops him. Jack will
bring prawn and squid instead.
(2) How about charcoal? Who will bring it? Although you hear Kelly say Ill bring the charcoal, Jack stops
Kelly by saying: Dont bother about that, Ive got plenty It means that Jack will also bring charcoal,
although the recording DOES NOT tell you explicitly. You have to make the inference (
).
Skill: Dont jump to the conclusion too early but follow the dialogue through to eliminate all the distractors.
5. Answers may not be given directly. Hear and infer for unspoken answers.
Recording: The figure for 2010 is 95, representing an increase of 10 as compared with the figure for
the preceding year.
Questions: The figure for 2010 is 95.The figure for 2009 is85.
Comment: The year 2009 is not spoken of directly. What is said is the preceding year. Also, the figure for
2009 is not given directly. You need to do a simple calculation by subtracting 10 from 95. (2009
the preceding year8595an increase of 10 as compared with
the figure for the preceding year)



HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 8

6. Make changes to tables
Question: Make the necessary changes to the following timetable and cross out any wrong information.
11.30 12.30 pm Writing skills
12.30 2pm Lunch
2 4.00pm Presentation on novel writing
4.00 4.15pm Break
4:00 6.00 pm Questions and Answers
Recording:
Miss Wong Lets reduce the lunch time for half an hour.
Miss Cheung Okay. So the lunch will end at 1.30 pm. How about reducing the Q & A
session by 30 minutes?
Miss Wong That means we shall finish half an hour earlier than planned.
Answer:
11.30 12.30 pm Writing skills
12.30 2pm1.30pm Lunch
1.30pm 2 4.00pm Presentation on novel writing
4.00 4.15pm Break
4:00 6.00 pm5.30pm Questions and Answers
Comment: (1) Dont forget to cross out the wrong information. ()(2)
The time slots are inter-related. You will lose a mark if you do not correct 2pm twice! (
2pm2pm2pm
)(3) The sentence we shall finish half an hour earlier than planned means that the ending time should
be changed from 6pm to 5.30pm. (finish finish half an hour earlier
)
7. Dont just write what you hear without thinking.
Recording: Real estate agent: What type of property are you looking for, sir? Mr. Wong: I would like
one which can be used for office purpose.
Question and
answer:
Type of property required: office
Comment: The answer should be office and not can be used for office purpose. (
Type of property requiredoffice )
8. Some questions may use exactly the same wording as the recording. (7
)
Recording: The meaning of sugarcoating is
Question: What is the meaning of sugarcoating ()?





HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 9

9. Some questions may use wording which is slightly different from that of the recording. (
)
Recording: Ash: I have a fever?
Question: Who has a temperature?
Answer: Ash has a temperature.
Other examples:
School students school kids Filming equipment video cameras
Advantage a big plus I like it Well done
Disadvantages problems Hiring a place for audience venue for audience
Who should judge the competition Who should
decide which side wins

10. Some questions may use wording which is largely different from that of the recording. (
recording to do a taskThe three things which the
students have to do)
Recording: Kay: The students are asked to stay behind after school and to do a task.Angel: What is
the task? Kay: To clean the F5A classroom and the male toilet on the 2
nd
Floor.
Question &
answer:
The three things which the students have to do are.
(1) to stay behind after school
(2) to clean the F5A classroom
(3) to clean the 2
nd
Floor male toilet
11. Some questions may use words (i) which are completely different from that of the recording, (ii)
are spoken only once and (iii)in an unexpected way in the recording. (Recording short running
option sprint)
Recording: So why was a short running race chosen in the end?
Question &
answer:
Activity
chosen
Cycling Barbecue Picnic Sprint ()
12. Some questions may require you to rewrite the wording of the recording to give a grammatical answer.
Recording: Ash: I have a temperature
Question: Who has a temperature?
Answer: Ash has a temperature.
Comment: You need to change I have to Ash has to give a sensible and grammatical answer. (
recording
)






HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 10

13. Some questions may test if you know a difficult or unfamiliar word and its spelling.
Example 1
Recording: Jill: What are we going to? Miss Lee: Ngau Tau Kok
Question &
answer:
The destination of Jill and Miss Lee is Blake Garden
Comment: If you dont know the spelling of the place name Blake Garden (), you cannot
give a correct answer.
Example 2
Recording: Paul: I think people should read Peters column. Jenny: Why would they read Peters
column? Its a rag sheet ().
Answer &
answer:
Jenny doesnt think people should read Peters column because it is a rag sheet.
Comment: If you cannot hear rag sheet or do not know the spelling, you cannot give a correct
answer.
Further
examples
Can you spell the following words when you hear them?
Gooseberry ()hen party (J hand
party )jinx ()theme park (J thin party )tripod (
)wagged its tail ()
14. Some part of the recording may contain some irrelevant material in between the answers to distract you.
(recording
)
Recording: Jenny: Who should be the winner? Individual students or the whole class? Miss
Mok: Last year, prizes were given to students individually. I have talked about this with
the principal. Both of us think that it would be better if classes competed as an
individual and a whole class would be given the price.
Question &
answer:
Who should be given the price? A whole class
Comment: The dialogue is relatively long and contains two distractors, namely last year, prizes were
given to students individually and classes competed as an individual. (
recording
15
)
15. Some questions may set out items in an order which is different from that in which the items are spoken
of in the recording ().
Recording: Mr. Chan: We may include cameras, computers, televisions, answering machines,
telephone systems and more that are currently refurbished and sold. Tony: How about fax
machines? Mr. Chan: Not at this stage, I think. Tony: And photocopiers? Mr. Chan: Its a
good idea.
Question &
answer:
Items to be included: a) answering machines b) photocopiers c) printers
d) fax machines e) computers
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 11

16. The recording may test your ability to (i) distinguish between similar pronunciation, e.g. sea view and
NOT see view; bedroom (one word) and NOT bed room (two words); roof garden (
) and NOT root garden/wood garden; first and third; thirteen and thirty; fifteen and fifty; (
) (ii) convert between amounts expressed in numbers and in words, e.g. fill in $100,000
when you hear hundred thousand dollars. ()
Recording: Mr. Chan: The first price would come to no more than eighteen thousand dollars. Tony:
Eighty? Mr. Chan: Eighteen
Question &
answer:
Amount of the first price: $18,000 // eighteen thousand dollars
Comment: The correct answer is neither eighty nor eighteen, but $18,000 or eighteen thousand
dollars.
17. The recording may state the answer twice and with exactly the same wording. The examiner wants you
to get that mark. ()
18. The recording may lay a landmine among some good clues. ()
Recording: Miss Mok: First of all, bababababa Jenny: bababababa Miss Mok: bababababa. This is
the second point. Jenny: Doesnt that mean that bababababa. Miss Mok: No, what I am
saying is that bababababa. Jenny: What is the last point? Miss Mok: bababababa.
Comment: This part of the recording may give you three answers. Notice that the second answer is
stated before the introducing word second, making it easy for candidates to miss the
answer!
19. The recording may (i) give you some misleading clues (), (ii) give you a wrong answer
first and then rectify it ().
Recording: Miss Wong: Now we should consider how long it would take. Jenny: Do you mean how
many sessions of the training. Miss Wong: Yes, we need to consider that as well, but when
I said how long it would take, I actually mean the time we need to prepare for the training.
Do you have any idea if our training would consist of 3 one-hour sessions? Jenny: I
think one-and-half months would be enough. Miss Wong: Lets make it two months, for a
three-session training program.
Question &
answer:
How many sessions will the training program consist of? Three // three one-hour sessions
How long it would take to prepare for the training program: Two months
Comment: Misleading clue
What follows how long it would take is 3 one-hour sessions, but 3 one-hour sessions
is not the correct answer for how long it would take.
Again, the recording mentions a wrong answer before it says the right one:
One-and-half months Lets make it two months
(Miss Wong how long it would take ()Jenny
Miss Wong
(3
one-hour sessions)(how long it would take
how many sessions )
one-and-half-monthtwo months)
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 12

20. Sometimes, the recording may state the answer twice and with some difference in wording. You can
score the mark by filling in one answer only. However, if you can hear both of the alternative answers
clearly, you may fill in both to play safe, but that means spending a little more time. Make your own
judgment. (

)
Example 1
Recording: In the TV program, some competitors are eliminated every week. In other words, they are
kicked off.
Question: Feature of the TV Program______________________________________
Answer: Some competitors are eliminated every week.
(J: This answer can get full mark.)
OR
Some competitors are eliminated every week.
They are kicked off.
(J: This answer can also get full mark.)
Example 2
Recording: Miss Mok: The performance of last year was awesome. Jenny: Pardon. Miss Mok: I mean
it was very good.
Question &
answer:
Miss Moks comment: Last years performance: awesome // good
Comment: If you do not know the spelling of awesome, fill in the word good and you can get the
same mark.
21. The recording may state the answer twice. The answer stated in the second time is said in a slower way.
When you hear words which are spoken very slowly, take them down. They are usually the answer.
Recording: Miss Wong: I think it is most important that the price would be set at an appropriate level
so that the majority of students can afford it. Jenny: Hold on a minute. Set an
appropriate price so that students can afford it.
Comment: (i) Recording (ii) As mentioned in Question 20, if you
cannot spell appropriate, you may write suitable or good and get the same mark.
22. Some questions require you to (i) listen for information from a relatively long part of the recording and
(ii) copy/rewrite relatively more. ()
Example 1
Recording: Sylvia: Do you think there is some sort of relationship between your excellence in oral
English and your personality? Jenny: I think there should be some relationship between
the two. I try to be as talkative as I can be, particularly in the area Im interested in. I also
like to read and think, and I think reading and thinking may also help improve my oral
ability. Sylvia: Is there anything else you do to improve your English speaking ability.
Jenny: I take every initiative to talk to Americans, no matter I know them or not. This can
really push me into a situation that I cannot come back and have to express myself
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 13

without thinking too much.
Question &
answer:
According to Jenny, what three things she does to improve her oral English?(a) as
talkative as she can be, particularly in the area she is interested in(b) read and
think(c) take every initiative to talk to Americans, no matter she knows them or not
Comment: (1) The words in pink are rewritten (e.g. I she; Im she is; I know she knows(2) As
shown in (a), (b) and (c) above, you need not answer the question in a complete sentence.
Note that (b) and (c) have verbs but (a) does not. This is completely acceptable and you
can get full mark so far as your answer is clear.
Example 2
Recording: Manager: I think you should consider what kinds of people you would like to have in the
course
Question &
answer:
A point to be considered: the kinds of people (to enroll) in the course // the kinds of
people (to join) the course
Comment: Note that you must be omitted. You may add to enroll in or to join, or just write the
kinds of people in the course.
Further example
How do you get people interested (Things to consider) how to get people interested.

6. Ten tips for extended writing tasks
1. Your answers MUST correspond to what you are being asked to do. Read the instructions
carefully. Identify keys requirements. Circle or underline key words. Refer to such key words when you
write lest you should miss any key requirements. (
key words )
2. Catch the logic behind the question so that you can copy/sort out/arrange/rewrite the points in a logical
order. (Data File
familiarize yourself with the Data File
HKDSE Paper 3 Skills (7) Tackle extended writing
tasks (1)http://englishwizard.mysinablog.com/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=3116274
)
3. Develop an outline in your mind, and drop down some key points regarding what to write. (

keyword
123 )
4. Decide the genre/format/tone required. (friendly formal )
5. Exclude irrelevant material. Dont copy (sentences or chunks of information) indiscriminately. (

)
6. Mind your spelling, e.g. shopping and NOT shoping; flat and NOT falt; restaurant and NOT resturant;
Causeway Bay and NOTCausway Bay. ()
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 14

7. Mind your grammar, e.g. consistent pronouns, correct tenses, e.g. 1 Neither idea had any point to them/it;
e.g. 2 Neither the chairman nor the managers admit he was/she was/they were aware of the fraudulent
practices; e.g. 3 I was/am born in Hong Kong.
8. Be careful of capitalization of the first letter of a proper name, e.g. the University of Hong Kong and
NOT the university of Hong Kong; Kowloon Bay and NOT Kowloon bay.
9. Write a good opening and ending. Pay attention to proper paragraphing. (

idea
)
10. Allocate your time effectively. Spare some time to check for careless mistakes. (
D check careless mistakes)

7. Tackle extended writing tasks
Following is a typical question of Paper 3 Section 1.
Complete the email below, using the information from pages 3, 7 and 9 of your Data File.
Dear Lolita,
I am writing about ____________________________________________________
Data File (page 3)
Email from Eason Chan, personnel manager, to Cecilia Cheung, personnel officer
To: Cecilia Cheung (email address)
From: Eason Chan (email address)
Email to the Accounting Department
The Accounting Department seems to have made a mistake in payment to a part-time actor. I attach the
relevant email from my secretary. Please could you do the following:
Check with the Part-Time Actor Payment of Salary and Expenses Rules (Data File
) and the personal details of the part-time actor in the personnel file (Data File );
Write to Lolita of the Accounting Department and advise her of the details(details
);
Point out the correct rate of payment () per performance, but let the Accounting
Department make the calculations; and
Begin your email with the reason for writing and end with something like kindly follow up on the
matter().
Data File (page 7)
Email about phone message
Hi Eason,
I received a phone call from a part-time actor named David (clueDavid personnel
details). He claimed that he had not been paid for acting in our drama Damnable Education (
acting in our drama the reason for writing the email ). Instead, he was only paid $72 in
travel expenses reimbursement (i.e. $6 per performance)(). The amount apparently does not cover even
his MTR fare. He wants to know the details as soon as possible.
Data File (page 9)
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 15

Extracts from the personnel file
Part-Time Actor Payment of Salary and Expenses Rules
4.2 A part-time drama actor shall be entitled to travel expenses reimbursement() if the cost of travel
from his/her place of residence to the theatre and back is greater than $6.4.3 A part-time drama actor
who acts in a drama shall be paid at the rate of $400 per performance.()
Personal details of part-time performers
David Lam
Flat A, 3
rd
Floor, 19 Hai Tan Street, Kwun Tong (Kwun Tong )
Data File (page 9)
Extract from MTR fare table (David Kwun Tong
Mongkok? Data File
)
Sheung Wan Mongkok Po Lam
Prince Edward 10.5 4.0 8.5
Kwun Tong 11.5 7.5 6.0
Tiu Keng Ling 11.5 8.5 5.0
Data File (page 9)
Extract from directions sent to part-time performers
The nearest MTR station is Mongkok. (Mongkok David Lam
between Mongkok and Kwun Tong)
For Embankment Road, take red minibus no. 12 from outside station fare $4.00 (Mongkok
)
Answer
Dear Lolita,
I am writing about David, a part-time actor
(1 mark)
of our drama Damnable Education. He phoned us claiming
that he has not been paid what he thought he would be (what he was entitled to )
(1 mark)
, since he
was only paid $72 in travel expenses reimbursement (i.e. $6 per performance) ()
(1 mark)
. (
reasons)
David lives in Kwun Tong
(1 mark)
. The MTR fare for travelling from Kwun Tong to Mongkok is $6.50, and
the minibus fare for travelling from Mongkok MTR Station to our theatre is $4.00. Therefore, for return
journey between Kwun Tong and our theatre, the correct rate of payment () of the travel expenses per
performance should be ($7.50 + $4.00) x 2 = $23
(1 mark)
.(the fare for travelling
betweendetails)
(David lives in Kwun Tong, and is entitled to return fare
reimbursement of $23 per performance.)
Besides, under the Part-Time Actor Payment of Salary and Expenses Rules, (under
our regulationsregulation) the correct rate of payment which David should receive
for acting in the drama should be $400 per performance ()
(1 mark)
.
Kindly follow up on the matter
(1 mark)
.
Regards,
David
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 16

For this question, there are 7 marks for content (as shown above)3 marks for language (correct grammar,
spelling, and punctuation); 2 marks for coherence (good organization, use of linking words such as besides,
therefore, lastly), and 2 marks for conciseness (Do you copy indiscriminately? Can you use your own
words? ).
This sample is intended to show you how to (i) attend to every point in the question; (ii) find information
from the Data File; (iii) organize information as per the instructions; and (iv) identify what should be copied
and what not.

Following is a typical question of Paper 3 Section 1. It is an example of how to take notes from the
recording and organize them for an extended writing task.
Write a brief profile of Daniel Lai, a character in a soup opera Roommates, for the Hong Kong People
Magazine. Refer to the notes you took from the recording on page 2, and the information from page 5, of
your Data File. (extended writing tasks
recording take notesData File
)
Data File page 5:
Roommates profiles
For the Hong Kong People Magazine, can you write a profile of Daniel Lai in Roommates. Be honest
about their good and bad points and remember to elaborate with examples of their behaviour.
Note: Page 5 just tells you to elaborate both good and bad points with examples and does not contain other
useful points. All information for completing the task is contained in the recording. (Data
File page 5 Recording Daniel Lai profile()Data File Page 5 good and
bad pointsRecording(Recording)Daniel
Lai good and bad pointsData File Recording
Data File Recording
)
Recording:
Gloria: Id like to make some comments on Daniel Lai.
Host: Yes, what a handsome young airman he is, wouldnt you say?
Gloria: Er, in fact, I dont like him so much. What I want to say is that sometimes we have to view a
person as a whole. Handsome or not, he was not nice. I hate people who don't lift the lid and flush
the toilet after using it, and unfortunately, Daniel is one of them. I mean that his way was really
sickening.
Host: Oh yes, it was, wasnt it?
Gloria: He was also thoughtless and selfish. He always left clumps of dirty food pieces behind after
having meal and his roommates had to clean them for him. He was really thoughtless and selfish
in that way.
Host: So, poor Daniel is not someone to your liking! Do you have any other comments? Something nice
perhaps?
Gloria: Well, but there was still something not nice about him. I thought he was rather ill-mannered and
discourteous when he answered the phone.
HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 17

Host: Ill-mannered and discourteous? In what way?
Gloria: Well, he didnt tell the caller who he was or anything. That was really impolite. And he never
offered to take a message!
Host: So, you are not going to be Daniels roommate!
Gloria: Of course not!
Host: Anyone here likes to speak up in Daniels defense? Do I see a hand there? Can I have your
name, sir?
Simon: Simon Chan.
Host: Is it all right if I call you Simon.
Simon: Of course.
Host: What defence you have for Daniel?
Simon: Well, I thought Daniel conveyed a sense of cheerfulness
Host: a sense of cheerfulness
Simon: and he was comical and made the others chuckle (), which is quite important if you are
sharing a small flat with others. You need to have a chortle () from time to time. Also,
he helped Kay with her mathematics homework.
Host: Oh, yes, I remember that, Kay was always busy with her mathematics homework.

Daniel Lai (Recording notesgood and bad points)
1. Sickening because he never lifted the lid and flushed the toilet after using it
2. Thoughtless and selfish because he left clumps of dirty food pieces behind after having meal, and others
had to clean them
3. Rude/ill-mannered and discourteous on telephone because he neither said who he was nor offered to take
messages
4. Helped Kay with her mathematics homework
5. Conveyed a sense of cheerfulness and was comical
Suggested Answer (notes )
Daniel Lai was a person whom people will find it sickening to live with, as he never cleaned the bathroom
after using it
1 point
. He was thoughtless and selfish, and always left dirty clumps of good pieces behind for
others to clean
1 point
. He was rude and ill-mannered and discourteous in answering telephone, because he
would neither say who he was nor offer to take messages
1 point
. But he was not all bad. He conveyed a sense
of cheerfulness like a comedian and brought laughter to others
1 point
. Besides, he helped Kay with her
mathematics homework
1 point
.








HKDSE ENG Paper 3 / 18

8. Distribution of marks in an extended writing task
In an extended writing task, about 60% to 70% of the marks are allocated to content, with half a mark for
one content point, and 40% to 30% of the marks to writing skills, as detailed in the following table:
Content8 marks Writing skills7 marks
11-14 points to be included Language5 marks Readability & coherence2
marks
(1) a good range of accurate
sentence structures; (2)
grammatically accurate
Good flow with clear links
between ideas