Eng Mock Paper 1 (a) Reading Passages.pdf

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Make it Happen
Mock Exam Practice for HKDSE English
Lester Theodore Chan
Paper 1
Reading
Name:
Class: ( )
Eng_1_ReadingPassages.indd 1 2011/9/16 3:09:36 PM

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JING KUNG EDUCATIONAL PRESS
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First Published 2011
© Jing Kung Educational Press 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or translated without
the prior permission of Jing Kung Educational Press.
Printed by Rainbow Tower Offset Printing Ltd.

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Preface
Make it Happen – Mock Exam Practice for HKDSE English (Paper 1) is designed to help students
prepare for the HKDSE English Language Paper 1 Reading. The book consists of five mock
exam papers and is suitable for use by S4 – S6 students. The design of the mock papers
is based on the content and structure given in the New Senior Secondary (NSS) Curriculum
and Assessment Guide. The passages selected are stimulating, thought-provoking and are
closely related to topics used in recent public examinations.
I would like to thank the following people who have, in one way or another, contributed to
the publication of Make it Happen – Mock Exam Practice for HKDSE English (Paper 1). First
of all, Ms Halina S. H. Poon, for being a great role model for many of us in the field of
education; my friends and many people I have worked with, especially Carrie Cheung, Canny
Lau, Noel Law, Louisa Kwok and Rhoda Yip, and last but not least, my parents, for their
never-ending love, encouragement and support.
Lester Theodore Chan

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Make it Happen
Mock Exam Practice for HKDSE English
Paper 1 Reading
Reading Passages
• Set A
• Set B
• Set C
• Set D
• Set E
Question-Answer Book
• Set A
• Set B
• Set C
• Set D
• Set E
Answer Key
• Set A
• Set B
• Set C
• Set D
• Set E
Reading Passages
Contents
Set A .............................. p. 1
Set B .............................. p.11
Set C .............................. p.21
Set D .............................. p.33
Set E .............................. p.43

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HKDSE-ENG-1-RP-1 – –
© Jing Kung Educational Press
All Rights Reserved 2011
HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 1
MOCK EXAMINATION SET A
READING PASSAGES
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Write all your answers in the Question-Answer Book.
2. DO NOT write any answers in this booklet because they will not be marked.

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Jing Kung Educational Press All rights reserved
in January, Reuters interviewed two leading
ophthalmologists. ‘There are a lot of people
walking around with very minor eye problems,’
said Dr. Michael Rosenberg, a professor at
Northwestern University. ‘3-D provides an
unfamiliar visual experience, and that translates
into greater mental effort, making it easier to get
a headache.’ Dr. Deborah Friedman, a professor
of ophthalmology and neurology at the University
of Rochester Medical Center, said that in normal
vision, each eye sees things at a slightly different
angle. ‘When that gets processed in the brain,
that creates the perception of depth. The illusions
that you see in three dimensions in the movies
is not calibrated the same way that your eyes
and your brain are.’ In a just-published article,
Consumer Reports says about 15 percent of the
movie going audience experiences headache and
eyestrain during 3-D movies.
[6] I cannot imagine a serious drama in 3-D.
Still, Avatar used 3-D very effectively. I loved
it. James Cameron is a technical genius who
planned his film for 3-D from the ground up and
spent $250 million getting it right. He is a master
of cinematography and editing. Other directors
are forced to use 3-D by marketing executives.
The elephant in that room is the desire to add a
surcharge. Consider Tim Burton, who was forced
by marketing executives to create a faux-3-D film
that was then sold as Alice in Wonderland: An
IMAX 3D Experience. Yes, it had huge grosses.
But its 3-D effects were minimal and unnecessary;
a scam to justify the surcharge.
[7] Even Cameron plans to rerelease Titanic in
3-D. However, Titanic 3-D will not be true 3-D,
Part A – This is the compulsory part. Answer all questions in this part.
Read the following article and then answer questions 1 – 27 on pages 2 – 5 of the Question-Answer Book.
(46 marks)
Why I Hate 3-D and You Should Too
[1] 3-D is a waste of a perfectly good dimension.
Hollywood’s latest craze is suicidal. It adds
nothing essential to the movie going experience.
For some, it is an annoying distraction. For others,
it creates nausea and headaches. It is driven largely
to sell expensive projection equipment and add
a US$5 to $7.50 surcharge on already expensive
movie tickets. Its image is noticeably darker than
standard 2-D.
[2] That’s my position. After all, 3-D has not
only given Hollywood its biggest payday (US$2.7
billion and counting for Avatar), but a slew of
other hits. The year’s top three films—Alice
in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon,
and Clash of the Titans—were all projected in
3-D, and they’re only the beginning. But many
directors, editors, and cinematographers agree
with me about the shortcomings of 3-D. So do
many movie lovers.
[3] It’s a waste of a dimension.
When you look at a 2-D movie, it’s already in 3-D
as far as your mind is concerned. Our minds use
the principle of perspective to provide the third
dimension. Adding one artificially can make the
illusion less convincing.
[4] It adds nothing to the experience.
Recall the greatest movie going experiences of
your lifetime. Did they ‘need’ 3-D? A great film
completely engages our imaginations. What would
Fargo gain in 3-D? Precious? Casablanca?
[5] It can create nausea and headaches.
As 3-D TV sets were being introduced at the
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
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but Cameron is likely to do ‘fake 3-D’ better than
others have. My argument would nevertheless be:
Titanic is wonderful just as it stands, so why add
a distraction? Obviously, to return to the No. 2
cash cow in movie history and squeeze out more
milk.
[8] Whenever Hollywood has felt threatened,
it has turned to technology.
In marketing terms, this means offering an
experience that can’t be had at home. With the
advent of Blu-ray discs, HD cable, and home
digital projectors, the gap between the theater
and home experiences has been narrowed. 3-D
widened it again. Now home 3-D TV sets may
narrow that gap as well.
[9] What Hollywood needs is a ‘premium’
experience that is obviously, dramatically better
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than anything at home, suitable for films aimed
at all ages, and worth a surcharge. I’m not
opposed to 3-D as an option. I’m opposed to it
as a way of life for Hollywood, where it seems
to be skewing major studio output away from
the kinds of films we think of as Oscar-worthy.
Hollywood is racing headlong toward the kiddie
market. Disney recently announced it will make
no more traditional films at all, focusing entirely
on animation, franchises, and superheroes. I have
the sense that younger Hollywood is losing the
instinctive feeling for story and quality that
generations of executives possessed. It’s all about
the marketing. The marketing executives are
right that audiences will come to see a premium
viewing experience they can’t get at home. But
they’re betting on the wrong experience.
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Part B – Answer EITHER Section 1 (easier) OR Section 2 (more difficult)
Section 1
Here are some film reviews on Toy Story 3 from people around the world, posted to www.imdb.com. Read
them carefully and answer questions 28 – 39 on pages 6 – 9 of your Question-Answer Book. (37 marks)
Review A
You’re probably wondering if Toy Story 3 can possibly hold up against its nearly perfect predecessors. I
wondered the same thing as I walked into the theater. Now, while the third movie in a trilogy is never
good (with few exceptions) the wizards at Pixar have pulled yet another winner out of their hat. Never have
I been more entertained, touched, or learned more from an animated movie. Toy Story 3 is a remarkable
movie that will make you laugh and perhaps even cry. The script is extremely witty for the most part,
most of it aimed at adults. The voice cast is fabulous and the new characters are cute. Toy Story was one
of the most beloved movies ever. Toy Story 2 matched the original in all regards. Toy Story 3, however,
leaves them all behind. This is the most beautifully crafted movie of all time.
Review B
I can’t understand the hype. People are saying this movie is better than the other two. I totally disagree.
The first two were well made and the story was new and exciting. This movie is way too sappy. It tries
to pull your emotional strings. It is very obvious. Why don’t they just tell the story without trying so hard
to win the audience over. It goes out of its way to try to make you cry. There’s too much of everything
in this one. Too many plots, too many gimmicks and too much loud sound. I hope this is the end of the
Toy Story saga, because they are going downhill. The first two were winners.
Review C
First, the movie was great! I can’t remember the last time I really enjoyed going to see a movie in a
theater so much! I laughed. I cried (yes, many tears were shed by the end ‘it’of the movie). My 10-year-
old daughter loved it too. With reviews, I don’t like to talk too much about the plot - I think the less one
knows the better one can enjoy it. There were lots of new characters, though for my money Ken was the
highlight!! Chatter Telephone and Mr Pricklepants are adorable too. Also, there are some jokes that only
adults would get, so everyone in the family can enjoy it. There are not too many films one can take the
family to see. This is one of them. I actually may have to think where this stands in the Toy Story trilogy.
Others have said ‘nothing new’ but I actually enjoyed this one most of all. There are some pretty scary
scenes that might be too intense for very young children, but you know no one is really going to get hurt
or die in this film! However, the reason it is not getting a 10 from me is the use of 3-D in this movie!
It did not take advantage of this technology. Even my daughter said ‘why was this done in 3D? Nothing
is popping out at me!’ I couldn’t agree more. So go have a great time, and just put up with those silly
glasses with the understanding that they will not add anything to the experience except perhaps add some
unnecessary eye strain.
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Review D
Do you ever get that nostalgic feeling of when you were a child? When nothing seemed too complicated
and you felt loved? Toy Story 3 is an excellent movie with good pacing and lovable characters, but what
made this an above outstanding movie is that watching this reminded me of my 7 year old self feeling
like I was on top of the world. The story line of Toy Story 3 is nothing we haven’t seen before. Much
like the previous two, it’s about staying together as a family and coming back home. But as far as the
story telling and presentation goes, this recycled story line feels fresh yet familiar enough to those of us
who grew up with the original movies to feel at home. I cannot praise this movie enough and I say it’s
one of the few must-see movies of the summer.
Review E
Although there were some funny parts in this film, I was terribly disappointed. This movie was very
scary for young children - and it was excessive. I can handle a scary scene here and there, but for young
children to endure half an hour of perilous scenes where the toys are almost crushed and incinerated is just
too much. It is very obvious that whoever developed the concept for this film and carried out the writing
of it was not interested in how it might affect young children - their target audience. I have been quite
the fan of Pixar, but have lost trust in their film-making. I am sure my son will be having nightmares. I
wish we had never gone to see it, and if I had known it would be so far from the brilliant mark of the
first two, I would not have.
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Section 2
Read the following poem and article and then answer questions 40 – 58 on pages 10 – 14 of the Question-
Answer Book. (42 marks)
The Instant Message Stalker
1
A pest imed me today,
He emailed me too,
He asked if I were single,
and asked, how do you do?
2
He asked all kinds of questions,
wanted all the details,
of my very private life,
demanded that I tell,
3
Age, sex and location,
he insisted that I share,
along with exact sizes,
of my shoes and swimwear,
4
I politely said no,
refused all his requests,
I told him very sternly,
Stop this, don’t be a pest,
5
His im kept on poppin up,
he asked if I were wed,
by then I was quite annoyed,
by all the things he’d said,
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*im –
(n) an instant message
(v) to send someone an instant
message

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6
I asked him which part of no,
he didn’t understand,
I told him I was 85,
and wore 6 wedding bands,
7
but all my husbands now were gone,
and I had all their money,
you want to know about,
their accidents now, honey?
8
I told him I fart when I walk,
the hair’s gone from my head,
I keep my teeth in a jar,
at night I wet the bed,
9
Suddenly the im’s stopped
so I wrote him an im,
a little sign then popped up
that said he was offline,
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I giggled and I guffawed,
I chuckled and I laughed,
I doubt it seriously,
if my stalker will come back
ELIZABETH LINDBERG
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[1] Employers should get used to the age of
Facebook and other internet social networks
and allow staff to electronically ‘poke’ friends,
announce what they are doing that day and join
‘just for fun’ interest groups while at work, the
Trades Union Congress (TUC) said yesterday.
[2] The union group said that employees should
not be able to use the sites without guidance
and gave warning that workers who posted items
online without thinking risked damaging their
reputations and those of their employers. The TUC
called on businesses to set out guidelines for the
use of Facebook, other networking sites and social
e-mail rather than impose blanket bans. Several
big companies have blocked access to the sites,
concerned that their staff spend too much time
reading news feeds about friends and taking part
in other forms of cyber-slacking such as online
Scrabble.
[3] Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC,
said: ‘Simply cracking down on the use of new
web tools like Facebook is not a sensible solution
to a problem that is only going to get bigger. It’s
unreasonable for employers to try to stop their
staff from having a life outside work, just because
they can’t get their heads around the technology.’
The TUC said that although it was wrong for
employees to spend hours on Facebook, it was
wrong for employers to think that workers could
not arrange some of their outside life while still
at work.
[4] Britain’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco
became the latest employer to ban Facebook
by blocking access. Tesco said that access was
allowed only if employees could make a case for
using it for their work.
[5] Katja Hall, CBI’s head of employee relations,
said: ‘The CBI’s advice to companies is that they
should have a policy on staff use of the internet
during work time, whatever the website. It is then
down to individual employers how they tackle the
increasing use of popular social networking sites
. . . Employers do not want to police the private
lives of staff or monitor private conversations.”
[6] Rebecca Clake, research adviser at the
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development,
said that there were lots of ways that people
wasted time at work and that Facebook was just
one website. She said: ‘It is important not to get
carried away with what people are doing every
minute of the day. Chatting with colleagues at
the water cooler can waste more time than a few
minutes on the web.’
[7] Lawyers backed the TUC’s call for guidelines
and gave warning that failure to do so exposed
businesses to legal claims.
[8] One in five employers admits using such
sites to check on a potential new worker’s
employability; and in July this year the University
of Oxford disciplined several students for breaches
of its code of conduct, using pictures from
Facebook as evidence.
[9] Chris Boyle, head of employment at Napthens
Solicitors, said: ‘This area is a minefield for
employers and employees alike. Many people
will put very private and personal information
they would not want an employer to know on an
internet site where it can be read by anyone. But
for an employer to use this to make a decision on
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hiring and firing is not sensible and raises many
legal issues.”
[10] He said that it made sense for businesses to
have in place strict policies banning the use of
such sites at work. ‘Good policies regarding the
use of emails and monitoring of internet usage is
a must for businesses who wish to take a robust
approach.’
[11] Allen Overy, a law firm in the City, was
forced to make an embarrassing U-turn on its
Facebook ban earlier this year after a barrage
of staff complaints. The firm, which hires more
than 100 graduate trainees in London each year,
claimed that it had decided to reinstate access
for Facebook because the site had a potential
END OF READING PASSAGES
for ‘business networking’. But insiders said that
the firm was pushed into reversing the ban after
complaints that staff were being prevented from
keeping in touch with friends and making social
arrangements.
*The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is a national
trade union centre, a federation of trade unions
in the United Kingdom, representing the majority
of trade unions.
**The CBI is the UK’s top business lobbying
organization. Their mission is to help create and
sustain the conditions in which businesses in the
United Kingdom can compete and prosper for the
benefit of all.
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HKDSE-ENG-1-RP-1 – 11 –
MOCK EXAMINATION SET B
READING PASSAGES
INSTRUCTIONS

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(48 marks)
Would you rent a possibly haunted flat?
[1] My husband and I have been looking for a
new flat recently as our current lease is about to
end this month. We decided to look for a new flat
because we both want a bigger one with bigger
rooms. We’re tired of living in a shoebox and
we thought that it was about time that we lived
a little bit more comfortably.
[2] We looked at more than fifteen apartments
that were within our budget. Some were okay
but none fit the bill perfectly. Then the last agent
that we went to took us to see this great flat.
It’s in Kowloon Tong. The building looked good
and the surrounding area was quiet and clean.
We got into the lift and she took us to the 22
nd
floor. My husband and I looked at each other in
delight because we always wanted to live on a
high floor. Once we got into the flat, both of us
were overjoyed to see how ideal this flat was.
It had a good layout, an open kitchen, spacious
bathroom with a nice bathtub and a huge master
bedroom. There was enough space for a decent
living room and dining area. And since it was on
a high floor, it had an awesome view. We could
see the ocean on all windows, and look over the
swimming pool nearby. It had no adjacent building
so it was bright and breezy. So we were basically
sold right there and then, we didn’t even have to
discuss it for long.
[3] But it just got even better. After negotiation
between the agent and the landlord, they agreed
to cut $1000 off the monthly rent, and install a
new fridge and a new washing machine as well.
My husband and I just couldn’t believe our luck
and were starting to think this was too good to
be true.
[4] So we went back home to our apartment,
thinking carefully about whether we should rent
the ‘dream house’ as obviously it was a good
deal. We were talking that this must have some
kind of catch that would soon present itself. Later
that night my phone rang and it was the agent.
She told me that she just got off the phone with
the landlord and he told her to ask us if we
would mind a detail about the flat. Apparently,
the previous owner’s sister fell off the building
and died on the podium, which happened about 7
years ago. I’m not sure yet if it was an accident
or suicide, but still, someone died there. The agent
was saying it happened a long time ago and some
tenants have lived there already, the last being a
surgeon who stayed there with his family for 2
years. She was saying at least the landlord was
honest enough to reveal the place’s history and
wanted to make sure if we were okay with it or
not.
[5] Personally I don’t really subscribe to
superstitions. I don’t believe in ghosts or anything
like that. I’m still pretty much sold on the idea of
living in a nice flat with a great view. However
my husband is having second thoughts so we’re
reconsidering if we should accept the deal. I
don’t know what we should do. I would like to
get some people’s opinions and suggestions. We
need to make a decision within the week and that
would pretty much determine how we’ll be living
in the next two years. So does anyone have any
comment/advice about this?
Comment 1: by Jacky
Some people have considered flats like this one
treasures waiting to be discovered. Such flats and
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those that overlook cemeteries are considered good
bargains. If you really have a serious problem, get
a fung shui master to dig a hole (at the landlord’s
expense) in the middle of the flat or something
like that or you can also bring a dog with you
the next time you enter that flat and see if it will
have some weird reactions.
Comment 2: by Carrie
I can’t believe you even asked the question! You
should go grab it. There are enough real things to
worry about in this world like pollution and wars
and finding a job that superstition is a complete
waste of time. By the way, I’ve just thought
of another advantage - if you or your husband
breaks anything in the flat just tell the landlord
the ghost did it.
Comment 3: by Joyce
I would be curious to ask the landlord whether
any actual paranormal activities have taken place
in that apartment recently, which would lead
them to believe it is actually haunted. If it’s just
‘assumed’ that it is haunted or cursed because
someone died there and they just have this bad
feeling about it, then no big deal maybe. But if
the previous tenants saw things floating about the
place or their cat having its guts ripped open by
an evil spirit, then you may wish to reconsider.
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Part B – Answer EITHER Section 1 (easier) OR Section 2 (more difficult).
Section 1
Read the following article carefully and answer questions 34 – 49 on pages 6 – 9 of your Question-Answer Book.
(37 marks)
What are ghosts?
You have probably seen them in movies, read stories about them or perhaps you have even seen a ghost
yourself. But what are ghosts? No one knows for certain. There seem to be many theories to explain the
thousands of documented experiences that people around the world have had, such as rare photos of ghosts.
Ghosts and hauntings seem to be a relatively common part of the human experience. (i) .
A. Lost souls
People usually see ghosts as the spirits of dead people, who are ‘stuck’ between this plane of existence and
the next, often due to a tragedy. They may not know they are dead. Veteran ghost hunter Hans Holzer says,
‘A ghost is a human being who has passed out of the physical body, (ii) . We are all spirits encased
in a physical body. At the time of passing, our spirit continues into the next dimension. However, a ghost
is stuck in our physical world and needs to be released to go on.’ Ghosts may appear in the scenes of
their deaths or locations that they liked in life. Sometimes, they even can interact with the living. Some
psychics claim that they are able to communicate with ghosts. They would find ways to let these spirits
understand that they are already dead so that they can move on to the next stage of their existence.
B. Messengers
They could be the most common kinds of ghosts. They usually appear shortly after their deaths to people
close to them. They know they are dead and they interact with the living by bringing messages of comfort
to their friends or relatives. They want to help the living cope with their loss and do not want to see their
loved ones grieve for them. (iii) , they usually appear only once.
C. Dead people with unfinished business
There can be a number of reasons why certain beings stick around after death. As portrayed most often in
movies - ‘catch my killer!’ Some of them are like guardian angels. They stick around after death to look
after their loved ones. It can be a young mother who died before her time watching over her children as
they grow up. Once the work is finished, the deceased usually moves on in peace.
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D. Poltergeists
This type of ghosts is the most feared by people because they can make objects move around and causes
strange noises. It has the ability to affect our physical world. They could make strange noises, (iv) . They
are mischief-makers as they turn on the taps and slam doors. Lights are turned on and off. A malevolent
spirit might even hurt you by slapping you. Therefore, poltergeists are considered by some investigators
to be mean and demonic in nature. However, some scientists believe that poltergeist activity may not be
caused by ghosts at all, but by people under stress.
E. Projections
(v) . They attribute all the haunting experiences to the products of our own minds. They believe that
ghosts are psychological phenomena: we see them because we expect to or want to see them. For instance,
a widow sees her dead husband because she misses him; she wants to know that he is alright in the next
world. Since we know so little about the power of our own minds and how our brains work, it’s possible
that they can produce physical manifestations, such as objects and noises that others may not be able to
see and hear.
F. Residual haunting or recordings
Some ghosts appear to be mere recordings on the environment in which they once existed. A civil war
soldier is seen on repeated occasions staring out a window at a house where he once stood guard. A dead
child’s laughter is heard echoing in a hallway where she often played. There are even cases of ghost cars
and trains that can still be heard and sometimes seen, (vi) . These types of ghosts do not interact
with or seem to be aware of the living. Their appearance and actions are always the same. They are like
spirit-level recordings - residual energies - that replay over and over again. Generally, the haunting is a
fragment or portion of an actual event. What causes these recordings to be made and how and why they
are played back repetitiously is a mystery.
Are there such things as ghosts? No matter how real they seem, we might never be able to know the
answer.
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Section 2
Testimony of an Addict
1
So now, Little Man, you’ve grown tired of grass,
L.S.D., goof balls, cocaine, and hash;
and someone pretending to be a true friend
said, ‘I’ll introduce you to Miss Heroin.’
2
Well honey, before you start fooling with me
just let me inform you of how it will be,
for I will seduce you and make you my slave;
I’ve sent men much stronger than you to their graves.
3
You think you could never become a disgrace
and end up addicted to poppy seed waste.
So you’ll start inhaling me one afternoon,
you’ll take me into your arms very soon.
4
And once I have entered deep into your veins
the craving will drive you wildly insane.
You’ll need lots of money (as you have been told);
for darling, I’m much more expensive than gold.
5
You’ll swindle your mother, and just for a buck,
you’ll turn into something vile and corrupt.
You’ll mug and you’ll steal for my narcotic charm,
and feel contentment when I’m in your arm.
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6
The day when you realize the monster you’ve grown
you’ll solemnly promise to leave me alone.
If you think that you’ve got the mystical knack,
then, Sweetie, just try and get me off your back.
7
The vomit, the cramps, your gut tied into a knot,
the jangling nerves screaming for just one more shot.
The hot chills and cold sweat, the withdrawal pains,
can only be saved by my little white grains.
8
There’s no other way, there’s no need to look,
for deep down inside, you’ll know that you are hooked.
You’ll desperately run to the pusher, and then,
you’ll welcome me back to your arms once again.
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And when you return (just as I foretold),
I know that you’ll give me your body and soul.
You’ll give up your morals, your conscience, your heart
and you will be mine until Death do us part.
Anonymous Addict
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Youth drug abuse worsening: survey
[1] More youngsters are using drugs and at an
earlier age, a Narcotics Division survey has
found. The study, conducted during the 2008-09
school year, collected questionnaires from 158,000
students, covering all post-secondary institutions
and 100 primary and secondary schools, or 20%
of the total student population.
[2] It found 4.3% of secondary school students
had abused drugs, up one percentage point from
four years ago. Among secondary students aged
12 or below, 4.6% said they had abused drugs,
far higher than the 2.4% figure seen four years
ago.
[3] The study showed a rising trend in the
number of young people who abused psychotropic
substances. (a) the primary school
students who said they had abused drugs, 37.5%
used cough medicine and 30.7% used inhalants.
Nearly half of the secondary school students who
claimed to have abused drugs used ketamine
(49.4%), followed by cannabis (35.6%).
[4] The survey also affirmed the hidden nature
of youth drug abuse. About 36.2% of secondary
students who claimed to have abused drugs
indicated they took them at friends’ homes, or
in their own homes (25%), while another 25%
abused drugs in entertainment venues.
[5] Chief Executive Donald Tsang said the survey
results show the Government’s determination and
strategy to fight drug problems is (b) .
‘While the problem is seen to be more serious,
the degree of Hong Kong’s youth drug abuse
problem has not reached a totally unbridled stage
as witnessed in some Western countries. The
Financial Secretary has proposed a $3 billion
capital injection into the Beat Drugs Fund and the
setting (c) of $52 million in additional
funding in the new financial year to expedite and
strengthen anti-drug work.’
[6] Urging the community to help the Government
foster a drug-free environment for youngsters,
Mr Tsang said the administration will continue
to (d) the issue through community
mobilization and support, drug testing, treatment
and law enforcement.
[7] Noting the school drug-testing scheme in Tai
Po is running smoothly with no confirmed positive
cases found so far, he said the trial is effective
in encouraging more students to seek counselling
services and assistance, allowing early intervention
by social workers and other professionals. The
Government will (e) the scheme and
decide on whether to expand it.
[8] Speaking at a press conference this afternoon,
Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said the
Government attaches great importance to youth
drug abuse and is committed to tackling the
issue. ‘In the Budget announced yesterday, the
Financial Secretary proposed a $3 billion capital
injection into the Beat Drugs Fund. Should the
Legislative Council approve the proposal, the new
capital injection would substantially increase the
capital base of the fund to $3.35 billion. This will
enable the fund to generate an enhanced level of
income and more resources to sponsor anti-drug
programmes organized by various quarters of the
community,’ he said. ‘In addition, the Financial
Secretary has already set aside $52 million
additional funding for bureaus and departments to
expedite and strengthen anti-drug work along the
directions promulgated by the Chief Executive.’
[9] Measures to be launched include: opening
four new Counselling Centres for Psychotropic
Substance Abusers; strengthening the manpower
of District Youth Outreaching Social Work teams;
enhancing the Police School Liaison Scheme;
increasing the number of police dogs and police
posts; stepping up anti-drug publicity; promoting
community mobilization programmes; and
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increasing the capacity of youth drug treatment and
rehabilitation centres subvented by the Department
of Health.
[10] Mr Lee said law-enforcement agencies will
also step up their anti-drug operations. They
will relentlessly curb the supply of illicit drugs
in Hong Kong and work with their counterparts
on the Mainland as well as overseas to stop the
flow of illicit drugs into Hong Kong. ‘The police
will strengthen the collection of intelligence on
drug trafficking and drug taking, and enhance the
Police School Liaison Scheme. The Customs and
Excise Department will enhance drug detection at
boundary control points to combat cross-boundary
drug trafficking. For greater deterrence, law
enforcement agencies will work closely with the
Department of Justice in seeking the courts to
pass heavier sentences,’ he said.
[11] When asked whether the Government
will adopt mandatory drug testing, Mr Lee
said it is a controversial subject involving
technical, legislative and human rights issues. The
Government will research this option and launch
a public consultation on it this year.
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MOCK EXAMINATION SET C
READING PASSAGES
INSTRUCTIONS

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(40 marks)
Bullying is a Big Problem
[1] Every day thousands of teens wake up afraid
to go to school. Bullying is a problem that affects
millions of students, and it has everyone worried,
not just the kids on its receiving end. Yet because
parents, teachers, and other adults don’t always
see it, they may not understand how extreme
bullying can get.
[2] Bullying is when a person is picked on over
and over again by an individual or group with
more power, either in terms of physical strength
or social standing.
[3] Two of the main reasons people are bullied
are because of appearance and social status.
Bullies pick on the people they think don’t fit in,
maybe because of how they look, how they act
(for example, kids who are shy and withdrawn),
their race or religion, or because the bullies think
their target may be gay or lesbian.
[4] Some bullies attack their targets physically,
which can mean anything from shoving or tripping
to punching or hitting, or even sexual assault.
Others use psychological control or verbal insults
to put themselves in charge. For example, people
in popular groups or cliques often bully people
they categorize as different by excluding them or
gossiping about them (psychological bullying).
They may also taunt or tease their targets (verbal
bullying).
[5] Verbal bullying can also involve sending cruel
instant or email messages or even posting insults
about a person on a website — practices that are
known as cyberbullying.
[6] One of the most painful aspects of bullying
is that it is relentless. Most people can take
one episode of teasing or name calling or being
shunned at the mall. However, when it goes on
and on, bullying can put a person in a state of
constant fear.
[7] Guys and girls who are bullied may find
their schoolwork and health suffering. Amber
began having stomach pains and diarrhea and
was diagnosed with a digestive condition called
irritable bowel syndrome as a result of the
stress that came from being bullied throughout
ninth grade. Mafooz spent his afternoons hungry
and unable to concentrate in class because he
was too afraid to go to the school cafeteria at
lunchtime.
[8] Studies show that people who are abused by
their peers are at risk for mental health problems,
such as low self-esteem, stress, depression, or
anxiety. They may also think about suicide
more.
[9] Bullies are at risk for problems, too. Bullying
is violence, and it often leads to more violent
behavior as the bully grows up. It’s estimated that
1 out of 4 elementary-school bullies will have a
criminal record by the time they are 30. Some
teen bullies end up being rejected by their peers
and lose friendships as they grow older. Bullies
may also fail in school and not have the career
or relationship success that other people enjoy.
[10] Both guys and girls can be bullies. Bullies
may be outgoing and aggressive. Or, a bully can
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appear reserved on the surface, but may try to
manipulate people in subtle, deceptive ways, like
anonymously starting a damaging rumor just to
see what happens.
[11] Many bullies share some common
characteristics. They like to dominate others and
are generally focused on themselves. They often
have poor social skills and poor social judgment.
Sometimes they have no feelings of empathy or
caring toward other people.
[12] Although most bullies think they’re hot stuff
and have the right to push people around, others
are actually insecure. They put other people
down to make themselves feel more interesting
or powerful. And some bullies act the way they
do because they’ve been hurt by bullies in the
past — maybe even a bullying figure in their
own family, like a parent or other adult.
[13] Some bullies actually have personality
disorders that don’t allow them to understand
normal social emotions like guilt, empathy,
compassion, or remorse. These people need
help from a mental health professional like a
psychiatrist or psychologist .
[14] For younger kids, the best way to solve a
bullying problem is to tell a trusted adult. For
teens, though, the tell-an-adult approach depends
on the bullying situation.
[15] One situation in which it is vital to report
bullying is if it threatens to lead to physical danger
and harm. Numerous high-school students have
died when stalking, threats, and attacks went
unreported and the silence gave the bully license
to become more and more violent.
[16] Sometimes the victim of repeated bullying
cannot control the need for revenge and the
situation becomes dangerous for everyone.
[17] Adults in positions of authority — parents,
teachers, or coaches — can often find ways to
resolve dangerous bullying problems without the
bully ever learning how they found out about
it.
[18] If you’re in a bullying situation that you
think may escalate into physical violence, try to
avoid being alone (and if you have a friend in this
situation, spend as much time as you can together).
Try to remain part of a group by walking home
at the same time as other people or by sticking
close to friends or classmates during the times
that the bullying takes place.
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Section 1
Study the following information about cyberbullying and answer questions 27 – 38 on pages 6 – 8 of your
Question-Answer Book. (31 marks)
Surviving Cyberbullying
[1] Leigh was in eighth grade when the messages started — first, a weird text on her new cell phone,
then some angry-sounding IMs. Her first year in high school, she learned that some of her classmates
had created a website specifically to upset her. The emails, texts, and MySpace posts got worse. It was
so bad that she eventually changed schools.
[2] Now 18, Leigh says she has come through the experience more self-aware and compassionate
toward others. It was a terrible time, she says, but with some counseling and support from adults and
friends, she was able to make sense of what happened to her.
[3] Nearly half of all teens have been the victims of what’s come to be called ‘cyberbullying.’According
to several recent studies, it’s a problem that is on the rise. The good news is that our awareness of
cyberbullying and what works to prevent it is growing even faster.
[4] Here are some suggestions on what to do if you, or someone you know, is involved with online
bullying.
What Counts as Cyberbullying?
[5] Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person.
Online threats or ‘flames’ (rude texts, IMs, or messages) count. So does posting personal information
or videos designed to hurt or embarrass someone else.
[6] Online bullying can be easier to commit than other acts of bullying because the bully doesn’t have
to confront the victim in person. Some cyberbullies probably don’t realize just how hurtful their actions
are.
[7] By definition, cyberbullying involves young people. If an adult sends the messages or notes, it may
meet the legal definition of cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking.
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Virtual Acts, Real Consequences
[8] Because of the role technology plays in our lives, there is often no place to hide from bullies. Online
bullying can happen at home as well as school (even in the coffee shop or anywhere else people go
online). And it can happen 24 hours a day.
[9] Sometimes, online bullying, like other kinds of bullying, can leave people at risk for serious problems:
Stress from being in a constant state of upset or fear can lead to problems with mood, energy level,
sleep, and appetite. It can also make someone feel jumpy, anxious, or sad.
[10] It’s not just the person being bullied who gets hurt — the punishment for cyberbullies can be serious.
More and more schools and after-school programs are creating systems to respond to cyberbullying.
Schools may kick bullies off sports teams or suspend them from school. Some types of cyberbullying
may violate school codes or even break antidiscrimination or sexual harassment laws, so a bully may
face serious legal trouble.
Why Do People Do It?
[11] Why would someone be a cyberbully? There are probably as many reasons as there are bullies
themselves.
[12] Sometimes, what seems like cyberbullying may be accidental. The impersonal nature of text
messages, IMs, and emails makes it very hard to detect a sender’s tone, and one person’s joke could
be another’s devastating insult.
[13] Most people know when they’re being bullied, though, as bullying involves relentless teasing or
threats. The people doing the bullying know they’ve crossed a line too. It’s not a one-off joke or insult
— it’s constant harassment and threats.
[14] Intentional online bullying can be a sign that the bully is feeling hurt, frustrated, or angry, and is
lashing out at others.
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What to Do
[15] If you’re being bullied, harassed, or teased in a hurtful way — or know someone who is — there
is no reason to suffer in silence. In fact, you absolutely should report upsetting IMs, emails, texts,
etc.
Tell someone.
[16] Most experts agree: the (i) thing to do is tell an adult you trust. This is often easier said
than done. Teens who are cyberbullied may (ii) embarrassed or reluctant to report a bully.
But bullying can escalate, so speak (iii) until you find someone to help.
[17] Most parents are so concerned (iv) protecting their kids that sometimes they focus on
taking all precautions to stop the bullying. If you’re being bullied and worry about losing your Internet
or phone privileges, explain your fears to your parents. Let them (v) how important it is to
stay connected, and work with them to figure (vi) a solution that doesn’t leave you feeling
punished as well. You may have to do some negotiating on safe cell phone or computer use — the
most important thing is to first get the bullying (vii) control.
[18] You can also talk to your school counselor or trusted teacher or other family (viii) . If the
bullying feels like it’s grinding your life down, counseling can help. If you’re not ready (ix)
that, you can still benefit from the support of a trusted adult.
Walk away.
[19] That tip you’ve heard about walking away from a real-life bully works in the virtual world too.
Knowing that you can step away from the computer (or turn off your phone) allows you to keep things
in perspective and focus on the good things in your life. Ignoring bullies is the best way to take away
their power. Sometimes ignoring a bully isn’t easy to do — just try the best you can.
Report it to your service provider.
[20] Sites like Facebook, MySpace, or YouTube take it seriously when people use their sites to post
cruel or mean stuff or set up fake accounts. If users report abuse, the site administrator may block the
bully from using the site in future. You can also complain to phone service or email providers (such
as Gmail, Verizon, Comcast, and Yahoo) if someone is bothering you.
Block the bully.
[21] Most devices have settings that allow you to electronically block the bully or bullies from sending
notes. If you don’t know how to do this, ask a friend or adult who does.

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Don’t respond.
[22] Resist the urge to ‘fight back.’ In some cases, standing up to a bully can be effective, but it’s also
more likely to provoke the person and escalate the situation. Ask an adult to intervene instead — after
all, fighting fire with fire just leaves everything burned.
[23] Although it’s not a good idea to respond to a bully, it is a good idea to save evidence of the
bullying if you can. It can help you prove your case, if needed. You don’t have to keep mean emails,
texts, or other communications where you see them all the time — you can forward them to a parent
or save them to a flash drive. Be safe online. Password protect your cell phone and your online sites,
and change your passwords often. Be sure to share your passwords only with your parent or guardian.
It’s also wise to think twice before sharing personal information or photos / videos that you don’t want
the world to see. Once you’ve posted a photo or message, it can be difficult or impossible to delete. So
remind yourself to be cautious when posting photos or responding to someone’s upsetting message.
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If a Friend Is a Bully
[24] If you see a friend acting as a cyberbully, take him or her aside and gently talk about it. Perhaps
there’s a reason behind the bullying and you can help your friend think about what it is. Or, if you
don’t know the person well enough to talk about feelings, just stand up for your own principles: Let
the bully know it’s not cool. Explain that it can have very serious consequences for the bully as well
as ‘bystanders’ like you and your friends who may feel stressed out or upset about what’s going on.

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Section 2
Firefighters
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Brave warriors in suits of armor yellow and black,
Answering a call for help without question they go on the attack.
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Mounting their powerful steeds of gleaming gold and red,
Of their fears and worries nothing is said.
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They race to the battle, an unforgiving demon to slay,
Until the task is complete not one will stray.
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Working to exhaustion as their chests pound,
Into the lair of the beast, insane as it may sound.
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To snatch a person from death is the goal and greatest reward,
It’s what all the preparation and self-sacrifice is geared toward.
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They love their country and all their neighbors the same,
It’s a vocation that provides little financial profit or gain.
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Their mission is simple the American dream to defend,
A life to save, a home to protect, to this they will tend.
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Hong Kong Criticizes Handling of Manila Hostage Crisis
[1] Hong Kong’s leader Donald Tsang criticized the handling of a hostage crisis in the Philippine capital on
Monday (23
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August 2010) in which at least eight Hong Kong tourists were killed after police commandos
stormed the bus they were held in for more than 10 hours.
[2] A gun man, identified as 55-year-old ex-police captain Rolando Mendoza who was armed with an
M-16 assault rifle, held 15 tourists hostage on a wide road in Manila’s biggest park in the morning. ‘It
is most regrettable,’ said Tsang who appeared close to tears during a press conference. ‘The way it was
handled, particularly the outcome, I find is disappointing,’ said Tsang.
[3] Others in Hong Kong reacted with shock and some anger after what appeared to be an ineffective
rescue operation, with thousands glued to their television sets as live footage of the hostage drama played
on local television for much of the day.
[4] Police commandos could be seen breaking the windows of the bus minutes after a series of gunshots
were heard and the driver of the bus was seen running to safety. The commandos struggled repeatedly
to smash their way into the bus for over half an hour. As they did so, further gunshots could be heard,
causing the officers to duck down and take cover. After around an hour the gunman was eventually killed
and the hostages freed.
[5] ‘It’s a tragedy and a farce,’ said Kevin Chan, a Hong Kong resident. ‘Why did it take them so long to
get into the bus? They’re not well disciplined and trained. Are they crazy?’ Another Hong Kong resident
Sunny Ho said things could have been handled through calmer negotiations rather than brute force. ‘It’s
really tragic, the Philippine police and government are totally incompetent. The government should have
agreed to the request of the gunman and rescued the people first!’ Ho said.
Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani
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Comment 1:
[6] The incident was handled in a disgusting if not disgraceful way. I also agree with Hong Kong
leader Donald Tsang’s remark that it was indeed a tragedy and a farce.
[7] Being a Filipino, watching the entire drama on national television and seeing the way things went,
I could not help but think of the repercussion of this blunder. I think a lot of factors played different
roles that resulted in the tragedy. First, they could have sent a more competent negotiator. We need to
be reminded that the hostage taker is no ordinary man on the street. He used to be a police officer. He
knows police procedures. He knows how his comrades think. Second, the ground commander (if there
was one) should have limited media access to the goings-on. I have nothing against media, I believe
in press freedom. They should have thought that this being a tourist bus, there might be a television
monitor inside, and the hostage taker could monitor their every move. Actually, the hostage taker had
an upper hand there, as he could see what the police were doing outside, while they could not see
what was happening inside the bus. Third, this tragedy only shows the sorry state of our police force’s
training and equipment. I hope this tragedy would open the eyes of our leaders, of those who wield
power. Isn’t it about time we forget about our personal agenda, and think of the country, for God’s
sake?
[8] Had anybody thought of how this episode would affect the thousands of Filipinos working abroad,
especially those in Hong Kong? The Filipino is not that bad, we were once one of the leading nations
of Asia. I just hope and pray that we could put our act together and redeem our national pride. Yes,
this blunder is another black eye for Juan de la Cruz, but being a resilient race that we are, we could
weather this. I’m not sure if our government had already sent official communications to Hong Kong,
but I would like to say I AM SORRY FOR THE WAY THINGS WENT, I AM SORRY FOR THE LOSS
OF LIVES. I address that to the families of those who died, and to the whole world as a whole.
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Comment 2:
[9] Honestly, it was really humiliating how our local forces reacted and handled the situation.It was
obvious in several occasions.
• The forces obviously came unprepared.
• There is not enough or maybe no resources available to be used or maybe inappropriate resources
were there.
• It seems our forces were not trained properly for this.
• It seems there was no planning done on how the operation would be done.
• The use of rope to pull the bus’ door... it’s ridiculous!
• The hostage taker was just asking for simple requests. He can be FOOLED and cooled perhaps
by telling him he can be reinstated. That would need somebody with good position to talk to him
and convince him until he frees the hostages, and put him to jail after that!
• His brother was taken by policemen and was openly warned that he would be charged for being
an accessory to the crime. That probably further irritated him (the hostage-taker) and made him
kill one or some of the hostages.
[10] Now it’s over. Damage has been done. Lives were lost already. It’s time for our local government
to give a complete report and learn a big lesson from this tragedy. We need to show the world that
we can protect anyone who visits our country. I hope the Filipino policemen and similar groups can
make themselves TRUSTWORTHY, not SCARY.
[11] Finally, deep condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in this tragedy. My apology,
our apologies will not be enough for your losses because of the incompetent handling of the hostage
situation, but I do hope my prayers can make a difference.
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MOCK EXAMINATION SET D
READING PASSAGES
INSTRUCTIONS

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(37 marks)
How to Cope When Your Parents Don’t Like the Person You Love
[1] It will probably happen to you at least once
in your life. You’ll fall for somebody that your
parents don’t like. Sometimes their disapproval
will be valid, (i) , but no matter what,
it will be hard for you to deal with.
[2] What do you do when your parents can’t stand
the person you’re dating? Before taking on the
role of diplomat, or even worse the role of family
agitator, there are some things that you need to
examine. You need to take an honest look at your
romantic motivations and (ii) .
[3] First of all, why are you dating this person?
Be brutally honest. Are you crazy in love or
(iii) ? If you are motivated by rebellion
the simplest and right thing to do is end the
relationship. It isn’t fair for you to use somebody
else to get to your parents. With the relationship
out of the way you will be able to focus on the
real issue of why you feel the need to resort to
such drastic rebellion in the first place.
[4] Do you have real and deep feelings for this
person, or do you have less heart felt reasons
for the relationship? Are you dating this person
because of pressure from friends or in the name
of popularity? If your feelings are based on your
reputation rather than your heart (iv) ,
take a step back and ask yourself if the relationship
is really worth all the drama it is causing. Chances
are good the answer will be no and your problem
will solve itself.
[5] It is important for you to understand why your
parents disapprove of the relationship. When you
know why they object to your relationship you
will be better able to reason with them or
(v) . Some of the reasons your parents
disapprove may seem silly, others may actually
have merit. It is up to you to look at the whole
situation and see if your parents are seeing
something you aren’t or if they are acting from
a place of ignorance.
[6] When you are in love you may be blind
to your partner’s flaws. Your parents aren’t so
easily fooled. They can often see things in your
relationship that you are unwilling or unable to
see. They love you and want what is best for
you. When your parents see something in your
relationship that they don’t like, you need to listen
to what they have to say. You may not agree
with them after you hear their point of view but
it is important that you hear them out. So, try
to listen to them without getting defensive. They
may be right.
[7] For example, if you have started doing harmful
things because of your partner, like alcohol or
drugs, your parents have a valid concern. Your
parents have a right to speak up if your grades
are dropping, if you’re losing friends or if you
have stopped doing the things you used to love
to do. Listen to them. It is not healthy for any
relationship to consume your life. Your parents
may be able to see that this is happening when
you cannot.
[8] Love can feel very good. It can change you
in some very positive ways. If your love has a
positive influence on your life it is worth holding
on to even if your parents object. When love gets
shady you need to rethink the relationship. You
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should never lose your life when you fall in love.
Friends, family, hobbies and school are all still
important. Being in love should not mean you
give these things up. If your love is making you
lose yourself it’s time for a change.
[9] Your parents only want to see you happy.
They don’t want to see you struggling or
making decisions that will complicate your life.
Understand that they have your best interests at
heart and keep the lines of communication open.
Be honest with them about how you feel. They
may never like your partner but they can come
to accept your relationship.
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Section 1
Here are some letters from the teen love advice column. Read them carefully and answer questions 22 – 36
on pages 5 – 8 of your Question-Answer Book. (40 marks)
Letter 1
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Dear Dr. Green,
I am an eighteen-year-old male with a four-year-old problem. I am in love with one of my best friends,
Susan. At least I think I am in love with her. When I first met her, I really didn’t like her. She was
always so annoying. But then we got to know each other better and she sort of grew on me.
Not very long after I started to get to know her, I started to think about her romantically. Soon after,
we became like brother and sister, always together. And my feelings have done nothing but grow since
then.
It took me about a year to work up the courage to tell her about the feelings I had for her. When I
finally did, she told me that we had too good of a friendship, that she didn’t want to ruin it, that I was
like a brother to her and that she couldn’t feel that way for me. But I just can’t shake this feeling.
Several times the pain I feel has grown so strong that I needed to take a ‘vacation’ from her, which
just gave my mind time to fantasize about how great she is and how someday she has to give me a
shot. But when I am away from her for so long, I miss her to the point where the only thing I want
to do is to be with her, no matter how much it hurts to know she doesn’t feel the same way.
I have actually cried about this almost a hundred times. The only advice I have gotten so far is to ‘get
over it’, and if I could, I would. But I can’t. I think that the reason I can’t get over this is that I can’t
let go of the hopes that some someday, she may change her mind. And I truly believe that if she did
feel the same, I would marry her in a heartbeat. Anyway, please give me some advice. Thank you.
Jeremy

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Reply to Letter 1
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Dear Jeremy,
I know this is hard and painful, but we can’t force someone to love us just because we love them. At
some level, we all have to realize that the right person will come along for us.
While we are waiting for this magical event, we have to work on ourselves non-stop to be the best
person we can possibly be while we are waiting. That means doing things to build our self-confidence
by succeeding in our life activities. If she just wants to be your friend, it actually may be too painful
for you to hang out with her right now.
You do need to make some new friends. Get involved with new people and new activities and try to
build a life separate from her. Wasting your life mooning after her will just make you seem pathetic
to her and you don’t want that.
You could play a little harder to get and she may even start wondering why you are not panting over
her as much as you used to. The more you move on, the more appealing you will become, not just to
her, but to everybody else. So, trust me, give this a try.
Sincerely,
Dr. Green

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Letter 2
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Dear Dr. Green,
I met this girl on the Internet but I am afraid she won’t like me when we meet. I have
seen pictures of her (i) she hasn’t seen any of me. I think she is quite beautiful and I am
(ii) most people would agree.
I am not an attractive guy and the only people who think I am (iii) my family members
so I tend not (iv) believe them. I am boring and have never had a girlfriend. I guess that’s
because I’m not good looking. I am as pale as a piece of paper.
We have talked a lot on an instant messenger and she seems to like me. I really (v) her to
like me. It’s not that I think she is an unkind person and only cares about looks, but I think looks are
a factor in any relationship. We seem compatible (vi) many levels except for that one.
I would appreciate any advice.
Sincerely,
Guy without a gorgeous face

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Reply to Letter 2
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Dear ‘Guy without a gorgeous face’,
Your problem is not whether this girl will like you if she meets you, your problem is that you do not
like yourself. There is nothing that kills romance faster than a lack of self-confidence.
Even if she meets you and does like you, your poor self-esteem will be a turn-off. My advice is to do
whatever it is that you need to do to build yourself up in your own eyes. If you are too heavy, lose
the weight! Join a gym, whatever. Make a list of your assets and talents and please, don’t tell me you
have none! Life is an endless process of learning to love and respect who we are, not only on the
outside but on the inside as well.
The problem about meeting people on the Internet is that it allows people with similar issues to avoid
confronting the fact that they are afraid of rejection. The Internet is like a magic screen which allows
us to project anyone we think we should be. For this reason, I discourage this as a way of meeting
new people. My advice is to get out there, take care of yourself, figure out what you need to do to
like yourself better, even if it means some counseling, and learn that you are lovable, likeable and
even adorable.
Sincerely,
Dr. Green

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Section 2
Read the following short story and article and then answer questions
37– 57 on pages 9 – 13 of the Question-Answer Book. (51 marks)
The Power of Determination: Glenn Cunningham’s Story
[1] The little country schoolhouse was heated by
an old-fashioned, pot-bellied coal stove. A little
boy had the job of coming to school early each
day to start the fire and warm the room before
his teacher and his classmates arrived.
[2] One morning they arrived to find the
schoolhouse engulfed in flames. They dragged the
unconscious little boy out of the flaming building
more dead than alive. He had major burns over
the lower half of his body and was taken to a
nearby county hospital.
[3] From his bed the dreadfully burned, semi-
conscious little boy faintly heard the doctor talking
to his mother. The doctor told his mother that her
son would surely die - which was for the best,
really - for the terrible fire had devastated the
lower half of his body.
[4] But the brave boy didn’t want to die. He made
up his mind that he would survive. Somehow, to
the amazement of the physician, he did survive.
When the mortal danger was past, he again heard
the doctor and his mother speaking quietly. The
mother was told that since the fire had destroyed
so much flesh in the lower part of his body, it
would almost be better if he had died, since he
was doomed to be a lifetime cripple with no use
at all of his lower limbs.
[5] Once more the brave boy made up his mind.
He would not be a cripple. He would walk. But
unfortunately from the waist down, he had no
motor ability. His thin legs just dangled there,
all but lifeless.
[6] Ultimately he was released from the hospital.
Every day his mother would massage his little
legs, but there was no feeling, no control, nothing.
Yet his determination that he would walk was as
strong as ever.
[7] When he wasn’t in bed, he was confined to
a wheelchair. One sunny day his mother wheeled
him out into the yard to get some fresh air. This
day, instead of sitting there, he threw himself
from the chair. He pulled himself across the grass,
dragging his legs behind him.
[8] He worked his way to the white picket fence
bordering their lot. With great effort, he raised
himself up on the fence. Then, stake by stake, he
began dragging himself along the fence, resolved
that he would walk. He started to do this every
day until he wore a smooth path all around the
yard beside the fence. There was nothing he
wanted more than to develop life in those legs.
[9] Ultimately through his daily massages, his
iron persistence and his resolute determination,
he did develop the ability to stand up, then to
walk haltingly, then to walk by himself - and
then - to run.
[10] He began to walk to school, then to run to
school, to run for the sheer joy of running. Later
in college he made the track team.
[11] Still later in Madison Square Garden this
young man who was not expected to survive, who
would surely never walk, who could never hope
to run - this determined young man, Dr. Glenn
Cunningham, ran the world’s fastest mile!
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[1] Susan Boyle is a singer of enormous talent,
who cared for her widowed mother until she
died two years ago. Her combination of ability
and virtue deserves commendation. Her story is
regarded as a parable of our age. However, she
was treated as a laughing stock when she first
appeared on stage for the opening heat of Britain’s
Got Talent 2009.
[2] The instant the audience and judging panel
saw the small, shy, middle-aged woman, they
started to smirk. When she said she wanted a
professional singing career to equal that of Elaine
Paige, the camera showed audience members
rolling their eyes in disbelief. They scoffed when
she told Simon Cowell, one of the judges, how
she’d reached her forties without managing to
develop a singing career because she hadn’t had
the opportunity. The 3000-strong audience in
Glasgow was laughing and the three judges were
suppressing chuckles. Apparently, this lady from
Blackburn, West Lothian, was presumed to be a
buffoon. It was rude and cruel.
[3] The reality show is supposed to be discovering
untapped and unrecognized raw talent from all
sections of society. However, everyone seemed
to be seeing it as a youth opportunity scheme or
even a beauty pageant.
[4] Susan Boyle has exceptional talent to
burn – the beauty of her voice. She rounded off
to a standing ovation. Susan, now a bankable
discovery, was then roundly patronised by such
mega-talents as Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan,
the judges, who told her: ‘Everyone laughed at
you but no one is laughing now. I’m reeling
with shock.’
[5] Again, why? The answer is that only the pretty
are expected to achieve. Not only do you have
to be physically appealing to deserve fame; it
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seems you now have to be good-looking to merit
everyday common respect. If, like Susan (and like
millions more), you are pudgy, middle-aged and
too poor or too unworldly to follow fashion or
have a good hairdresser, you are a non-person.
[6] I dread to think of how Susan would have
left the stage if her voice had been less than
exceptional. She would have been humiliated in
front of 11 million viewers. Public humiliation
seems to be the fate of anyone without obvious
sexual allure who dares seek opportunity.
[7] This small, brave soul took her courage in
her hands to pitch at her one hope of having her
singing talent recognized, and was greeted with
a communal sneer. Yet why shouldn’t she sound
wonderful? Not every great singer looks like
Katherine Jenkins. Edith Piaf would never have
been chosen to strut a catwalk. Nor would Nina
Simone, nor Ella Fitzgerald. However, ridicule is
no stranger to Susan Boyle’s life. She is a veteran
of abuse. She was starved of oxygen at birth and
has learning difficulties as a result. At school she
was slow and had frizzy hair. She was bullied,
mostly verbally. She didn’t have boyfriends, and
has never been kissed. ‘Shame,’ she said. Singing
was her life-raft.
[8] She lived with her parents in a four-bedroom
council house and, when her father died about 10
years ago, she cared for her mother and sang in
the church choir. It was an unglamorous existence.
She wasn’t the glamorous type - and being a
carer isn’t a glamorous life, as the hundreds of
thousands who do that most valuable of jobs will
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Susan Boyle
The beauty that matters is always on the inside

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testify. Even those who start out with a beauty
routine and an interest in clothes find themselves
reverting to the practicality of a tracksuit and
trainers. Fitness plans get interrupted and then
abandoned. Weight creeps on. Carers don’t often
get invited to sparkling dinner parties or glitzy
receptions, so smart clothes rarely make it off the
hanger. But it is often evidence of a life lived
selflessly; of a person so focused on the needs of
another that they have lost sight of themselves.
Would her time have been better spent slimming
and exercising, plucking and waxing, bleaching
and botoxing? Would that have made her voice
any sweeter?
[9] Susan Boyle’s mother encouraged her to sing.
She wanted her to enter Britain’s Got Talent. But
the shy Susan hasn’t been able to sing at all since
her mother’s death two years ago. She wasn’t
sure how her voice would emerge after so long
a silence. Happily, it survived its rest.
[10] She is a gift to Simon Cowell and reality
television: the woman plucked from obscurity, the
buried talent uncovered. It is wonderful for her,
too, that her stunning voice is now recognized.
A bright future beckons. Her dream is becoming
reality. Susan is a reminder that it’s time we all
looked a little deeper. She has lived an obscure
but important life. She has been a companionable
and caring daughter. It’s people like her who
are the unseen glue in society; the ones who
day in and day out put themselves last. They
make this country civilized and they deserve
acknowledgement and respect. Susan has been
forgiven her looks and been given respect because
of her talent. She should always have received it
because of the calibre of her character.
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MOCK EXAMINATION SET E
READING PASSAGES
INSTRUCTIONS

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Read the following fact sheet and article and then answer questions 1 – 15 on pages 2 – 5 of the Question-
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Common Plastic Surgery Procedures
A. Botox®
Botox® has been used for neck and eye spasms (sudden uncontrollable tightening of a muscle). Botox®
is also widely used to smooth wrinkles. When it is injected into facial muscles, botox can temporarily
paralyze muscles and smooth wrinkles. Two other kinds of toxins similar to Botox®, Myobloc® and
Dysport®, are under FDA review for cosmetic use. More than 1.1 million people had Botox® injections
in 2002, representing 15% of non-surgical cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Fifty-four percent of
all Botox® procedures were performed on people between the ages of 35 to 50.
B. Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, or surgery to reshape the nose, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures.
Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of your nose, change the shape of the tip or the bridge,
narrow the nostrils, or change the angle between your nose and your upper lip. It may also correct a
birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems. The patient above is 20 years old. The
patient’s height is 5’6’’. The procedure involved reducing the size of her nose. After-photos for this
patient were taken 3 years postoperatively.

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C. Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a procedure to remove fat – usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper
and lower eyelids. It can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes - features that
make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However,
it won’t eliminate dark circles under your eyes. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes,
it will not erase evidence of your racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction
with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift.
D. Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure that can help shape the body by removing unwanted fat from specific
areas, including the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Today, a
number of new techniques are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more
precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting
and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to traditional weight-loss
methods. This patient is 32-year-old man with the height of 5’9’’. After photos for this patient were
taken 1 week postoperatively.
E. Breast Augmentation
It is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman’s breast for a number of
reasons:
• To enhance the body shape of a woman who feels her breast size is too small
• To correct a reduction in breast volume after pregnancy
• To balance a difference in breast size
• As a reconstructive technique following breast surgery

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Hong Kong Actress Admits to Cosmetic Surgery
The 32-year-old former Miss Hong Kong, Natalie Ng Man-yan, is probably the first local actress to reveal
she has had plastic surgery. She underwent a facial makeover funded by a beauty centre. She was paid
HK$1 million for her trip to South Korea and she is now the spokesperson of the company promoting
overseas plastic surgery tours. Ng is the first actress in Hong Kong who is not afraid to admit that she
has had plastic surgery, which is still a taboo in the community.
In a press conference, she openly told what part of her face was re-engineered. ‘My upper nose was cut
and the bone was moved to the front nose, so it looks straight now,’ she said. ‘Botox was injected near
my eyes to remove all wrinkles to make me look slim,’ she continued. ‘My upper lip was made thicker
by injecting it with a filler.’ Fat was also removed from her body and then injected into her forehead
and chin.
‘My family was worried and said I didn’t need to do the surgery because I looked gorgeous already ... But
I want to look perfect,’ she said. ‘However, it wasn’t easy. You know what? The doctor did not use any
anesthesia during the operation.’ She was completely conscious on the operating table. ‘I was so scared.
I heard the doctor hitting my nose clearly and could feel the pain,’ she recalls with fear, adding that her
face was so swollen after the operation that she was worried and she dared not see her family.
There is a growing trend for people in Hong Kong to have plastic surgery, according to Edmund Chan
Cho-kwan, a council member of the Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. He has
seen more women going under the knife in recent years because of better social acceptance. And as more
women try it, word of mouth spreads among their friends, prompting others to consider it, he said.
Ng said there was nothing immoral about having plastic surgery. ‘It is no different from dental operations,
ear-piercing and makeup. It can boost people’s confidence,’ she said. Some feminists have criticized the
plastic surgery industry for inappropriately changing women’s appearance. But feminism researcher Lee
Wai-yee of the Society for the Study of Sexualities and Sex-pol does not see a problem. ‘New feminism
theories hold that women have the right to make their own bodies.’
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Section 1
Read the following article and answer questions 16 – 26 on pages 6 – 9 of your Question-Answer Book.
(34 marks)
A tan to die for by Clare Oliver
[1] Clare Oliver knows skin cancer will claim
her life in the coming weeks, if not days. It has
already robbed her of her dream to become a
journalist, but the determined 25-year-old still has
the courage to write from her bed at the hospital
to warn others of the dangers of tanning salons.
The following is the open letter written by her.
[2] I am at peace. But if I could go back and talk
to myself when I was 19, I would tell that girl
not to use a tanning bed because melanoma is
not a small cancer that you just have to cut out
and you will be fine. I feel myself getting more
tired, and each time I feel sleepy it worries me
that I might not wake up.
[3] I did know that cancer was involved with
tanning beds because I was aware of UVA and
UVB rays. But when I was 19, I saw a cheap
offer of ‘buy 10 sessions and get 20’. The staff
of the tanning salon told me the fastest way to
get a tan was to come in every other day. My
mum tried to warn me that it was abnormal to
get a tan like that, but I told her it was cool and
everyone was doing it. After the 10
th
session I
was starting to burn and it hurt, so I stopped.
But I guess I stopped too late.
[4] I was 22 when diagnosed. I had just finished
a Bachelor of Media and Communication and a
Master of Cinema at the University of Melbourne
and started work as a sports journalist at SBS.
I was on top of the world. But I only got to work
for three weeks and then I found out about my
cancer. I am sure I have so much potential that
will be unused.
[5] It was 2004 when the doctors found a tumour
under my left armpit, which they treated with
immunotherapy. In July 2005, it came back and
this time they treated me with radiotherapy and
then in April I found a lump in my neck. I thought
they could just cut it out, but it turns out there
were seven tumours in my chest and one in my
lung. Now they have stopped counting how many
there are.
[6] When you are someone like me you realize
that life is everything and you grab it with both
hands and embrace it. If there is something that
you feel needs to be done, go and do it, and do
it wholeheartedly because life is short. People ask
me how I can still be so happy with all this on
my plate. But I have lived my life as a spark. I
don’t want to live a life where I am living until I
am 100 and just flat boring. I have always lived
my life with compassion and passion.
[7] Melanoma is no joke, so I think tanning salons
should be banned. Now that you know my story
and the resulting risks involved, hopefully you
will realize it is not worth having a golden tan.
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Section 2
Puppies for Sale
1
A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read ‘Puppies for Sale.’
Signs like that have a way of attracting small children,
and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign.
‘How much are you going to sell the puppies for?’ he asked.
2
The store owner replied, ‘Anywhere from $30 to $50.’
The little boy reached in his pocket and
pulled out some change. ‘I have $2.37,’ he said.
‘Can I please look at them?’
3
The store owner smiled and whistled and
out of the kennel came ‘Lady’, who ran down
the aisle of his store followed by five teeny,
tiny balls of fur.
4
One puppy was lagging considerably behind.
Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging,
limping puppy and said, ‘What’s wrong with that little dog?’
5
The store owner explained that the veterinarian
had examined the little puppy and discovered it didn’t have a hip socket.
It would always limp and always be lame.
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6
The little boy became excited. ‘That is the puppy
that I want to buy.’
The store owner said, ‘No, you don’t want to
buy that little dog. If you really want him,
I’ll just give him to you.’
7
The little boy looked straight
into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger,
and said, ‘I don’t want you to give him to me.
That little dog is worth every bit as much as
all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price.
In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents
a month until I have him paid for.’
8
The store owner countered, ‘You really don’t want
to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able
to run, jump and play with you like the other puppies.’
9
To his surprise, the little boy reached down
and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted,
crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace.
He looked up at the store owner and softly replied,
‘Well, I don’t run so well myself and the little
puppy will need someone who understands!’
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Circus Animal Cruelty
[1] Touring circuses may cover thousands of
miles a year, carrying animals from site to site
in transporters and cages on the backs of lorries
known as beast wagons. Moving location each
week means they spend most of the year in
temporary accommodation.
[2] The animals may be confined for hours, even
days, in their travelling cages, with their only
respite being either limited time in an exercise
cage, being rehearsed, or performing. It is
impossible for a travelling menagerie to provide
circus animals with the facilities they need.
[3] Yet travelling circuses in the UK have recently
included such diverse animals as lions, tigers,
dogs, alligators, snakes, camels, llamas, parrots,
ducks, budgerigars, horses and elephants. In other
European countries you can find polar bears,
rhinos and hippos.
[4] In the wild, elephants are extremely social,
living in large groups or herds and travelling on
average 25kms per day. In the circus, they spend
most of each day chained by a front and a hind
leg, standing on a wooden or metal board in a
tent. The chains on their legs mean they can only
shuffle a pace or two backwards or forwards.
If they are lucky, they will occasionally have
access to a grassed electric fenced enclosure, but
this will depend on the circus site. Thus circus
elephants spend almost their entire day barely
able to move, let alone being able to perform
natural behaviours such as foraging, bathing,
travelling and socialising. This may create stress
and frustration and lead to abnormal behaviours
such as rocking, swaying and nodding.
[5] Horses and ponies are gregarious animals
- extremely social. After being unloaded from
their horse boxes or transporters they are often
confined in tents, separated from their companions
by stalls, which do not allow socializing or mutual
grooming. Often horse will be tethered or kept
in tiny pens for the entire time they are not
performing or rehearsing. If exercise enclosures
are provided, these are generally very small - it
is unlikely a horse would gallop or really exercise
in one. Behavioural abnormalities have been
observed in circus horses.
[6] Although performing dogs could be kept as
pets, living with a presenter, they are often kept
in cages on tour or tied up when they are not
performing.
[7] Training is very secretive; animals undergo
training behind closed doors. There have been
cases where brutal training methods have come
to light. The nature of training circus animals
is revealed by the tools of the trade. Whips are
seen in the ring but the use of screws hidden in
the base of walking sticks, spikes concealed in
tasselled sticks and hotshots or electric shock
devices has been documented.
[8] In 2009 Animal Defenders International (ADI)
secured footage from a camera concealed inside
the elephant tent of the Great British Circus which
shows a staggeringly high level of casual violence
in just a few days of observations. Incidences
include elephants being hit in the face with a
metal elephant hook, a broom and a pitchfork,
a worker cruelly twisting an elephant’s tail, and
the frightened animals retreating and crying out
when struck or hooked.
[9] Some ex-animal trainers or keepers have
spoken out, to expose the cruel methods used to
break and train circus animals. Former elephant
handler Sam Haddock, who worked in the industry
from 1976 until 2005, revealed what circuses try
so hard to keep hidden.
[10] Before his wife died in 2007 she asked him
to promise to ‘do the right thing’ in exposing
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the cruelty he not only witnessed, but took part
in. Haddock’s statement admits his own part in
the abuse of elephants: the use of an electric
prod on an elephant in 1997 (saying he ‘fried
him for about ten minutes’) and the beating of
another elephant with a bullhook for 15 minutes
the following year.
[11] Sam Haddock’s statement discusses the
separation of mother and calf: ‘When pulling
18 - 24 - month-old babies, the mother is chained
against the wall by all four legs. Usually there’s
6 or 7 staff that go in to pull the baby rodeo
style. ... Some mothers scream more than others
while watching their babies being roped. ... The
relationship with their mother ends.’
[12] Another ex-circus employee, Jane Bradford,
related how a little brown bear was treated. ‘She
was a sweet little innocent brown bear who never
hurt anyone... but sometimes she had trouble
balancing on the high wire. She was then beaten
with long metal rods until she was screaming and
bloody. She became so neurotic that she would
beat her head against her small cage. She finally
died.’
[13] The animals in circuses are there purely for
entertainment, and the routines have changed
little since the nineteenth century. In circuses, the
audience can still see beautiful majestic animals
like elephants ridiculed by their trainers, or big
cats reduced to cowardly looking creatures by the
cracking whip of the ‘powerful’ lion tamer.
[14] Some circuses claim to be educational but
there is no educational value in seeing such
magnificent animals reduced to performing tricks.
The idea of publicly humiliating an animal to
prove that ‘Man’ is capable of this kind of
dominance is not fun. Children should be taught
to respect animals - circuses teach the opposite.
[15] Research Fellow in Moral Philosophy, Dr
Elisa Aaltola, said: ‘Taking all these considerations
– welfare, value, and understandings of animals
– into account forces us to acknowledge that
animal circuses lack moral justification. They
infringe on the welfare of animals, they do not take
into account basic moral considerations, and they
present a misleading understanding of animals.
Legislation ought to reflect these considerations,
and animal circuses ought to be banned.’
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