Belilios Public School

Half-yearly Examination, 2015-2016

English Language Paper 2
Writing

Secondary 3 Time allowed: 1 hour

Maximum marks: 100
(50% of the total subject mark)

Instructions:

1. Write a composition of not less than 250 words on ONE of the given topics.

2. Write your Name, Class and Class Number in the spaces provided on this Question Paper and on the
single-lined sheet provided.

3. Write the question number and your answers on the single-lined sheet.

4. Write on every line.

5. Do NOT use your real name in answering any of the questions. If names are provided, you must use
those names. If no name is provided and you still wish to use a name to identify yourself, then use
‘Chris Wong’. If you need to use names for other characters in the composition not specified by the
question, you may use names such as Mary, Peter, Wai Yee, Mr. Smith and Ms Young.

6. You are reminded of the importance of neat handwriting and the need for planning and proofreading.

7. You may lose marks if you do not follow the above-mentioned instructions.

Name: Maximum Marks Marks Scored

Class: Total marks 100

Class No.:

Do not turn over this page until you are told to do so.
Question 1
James was granted the power to be invisible for one day. Write a story about his experience. Give your story
a title.

Question 2
You are Chris Wong. You have recently made an online purchase that you are highly dissatisfied with. Also,
you were not able to receive any assistance from the customer service representatives. Write a letter to the
manager of the online store, Mr. Theo Dandine, describing the product, telling him what happened when you
asked for help and what you want to be done.

Question 3
Many families in Hong Kong hire domestic helpers to do housework and take care of the family. Some
people embrace the idea but others don’t. Write a for-and-against essay discussing the issue.

END OF PAPER
S3 English Language
Half-yearly Examination
Paper 2 Writing
Marker’s Feedback
 Question 1

James was granted the power to

be invisible for one day. Write a
story about his experience. Give
your story a title.
 Marker’s Feedback
1. Treat your thoughts as dialogues.
‘What has happened to me?’ he thought.

2. Start a new paragraph every time it is another

person’s turn to say something.
‘Mom, it’s me!’ James shouted.
‘James? Where are you?’ his mom asked,
looking around the living room.
‘Help me!’
‘Stop hiding. Come out!’
3. Do not use ‘suddenly’ all the time. Plan your
storyline well.
 ‘He suddenly became invisible.

4. Use the ellipsis (…) correctly.

 ‘I…don’t…know…’ James said.
 ‘I don’t know,’ James said hesitantly.

 ‘Ah…um…’
 And then…
 Question 2
You are Chris Wong. You have recently
made an online purchase that you are
highly dissatisfied with. Also, you were
not able to receive any assistance from
the customer service representatives.
Write a letter to the manager of the
online store, Mr. Theo Dandine,
describing the product, telling him what
happened when you asked for help and
what you want to be done.
 Marker’s Feedback
1. Salutation
 Dear Mr. Theo Dandine,
 Dear Mr. Theo,
 Dear Mr. Dandine,

2. Date
 On the 22nd of November,
 On 22nd November,
3. Reported Speech
 ‘Your staff told me I have to wait for two more
days.’
Your staff told me I had to wait for two more
days.

4. Consumer Council
 Consumer Bureau
 Customer Department
 Consumer Council
5. Do not write run-on sentences. Use semi-colons
to join related ideas written in complete sentences.
 ‘I looked into the mirror, I couldn’t see anything.’
 I looked into the mirror; I couldn’t see anything.

 ‘I learnt a lesson, I need to be kind to others.’

 I learnt a lesson; I need to be kind to others.

 ‘I screamed, however, no one heard me.’

 I screamed; however, no one heard me.
 Question 3

Many families in Hong Kong hire

domestic helpers to do housework
and take care of the family. Some
people embrace the idea but
others don’t. Write a for-and-
against essay discussing the issue.
 Marker’s Feedback
1. Do not copy from the topic.
2. Do not show your stance until your have reached the
conclusion in a 2-sided argumentative essay.
3. Be careful when making generalizations
 ‘Domestic helpers steal money and hit children.’
 Some domestic helpers steal money and hit children.

 ‘Children will not learn to be independent.’

 Children may not learn to be independent.
 May children will not learn to be independent.
 General Feedback
• Proofread carefully • Use varied sentence
– Spelling patterns
– Subject-verb agreement – Participial phrases
– Punctuations – Relative clauses
– Format – Appositives
– Logic
• Use different
• Use more vocabulary punctuation marks
– Semicolons
– Colons
– Dashes