HKDSE
English Language
Mode of assessment
Component
Weighting Duration
Paper 1 Reading
Paper 2 Writing
Paper 3 Listening &
Integrated Skills
Paper 4 Speaking
20%
25%
30%
1.5 hours
2 hours
2 hours
10%
20
minutes
SBA (Part A & Part B)
15%
Paper 1 Reading (20%)
•
•
•
•
3 sections
Part A (compulsory)
Part B1 (easier)
Part B2 (difficult)
Choose either
Part B1 or Part B2
• Part A + Part B1
Highest: Level 4
• Part A + Part B2
Highest: Level 5**
Paper 2 Writing (25%)
•
•
•
•
2 parts
Part A (a short, guided task, about 200 words)
Part B (longer, open-ended, about 400 words)
8 Questions (based on the 8 elective modules)
1. Sports Communication
2. Drama
3. Poems and Songs
4. Debating
5. Short Stories
6. Popular Culture
7. Workplace Communication
8. Social Issues
Paper 3 Listening & Integrated
Skills (30%)
•
•
•
•
3 sections
Part A (compulsory)
Part B1 (easier)
Part B2 (difficult)
Choose either
Part B1 or Part B2
• Part A + Part B1
Highest: Level 4
• Part A + Part B2
Highest: Level 5**
Paper 4 Speaking (10%)
•
•
•
•
2 parts
Part A (Group Interaction)
Preparation: 10 minutes
Discussion: 8 minutes
• Part B (Individual Response)
• 1 minute
SBA (15%)
•
•
•
•
2 parts
Part A (7.5%)
Read 1 book OR watch 1 film
Group interaction OR Individual presentation
• Part B (7.5%)
• Reflect on what you have learnt in 1 elective
module
• Group interaction OR Individual presentation
Assessment objectives
Reading
To assess the ability of candidates to :
• understand and interpret the purpose and meaning of a broad
range of texts
• identify the main theme and key details of a broad range of texts
• identify the contextual meaning of words and phrases
• interpret the tone and mood of a writer
• distinguish and evaluate views, attitudes or arguments in fairly
complex texts
• understand the use of a range of language features in fairly
complex texts
• interpret, analyze, select and organize ideas and information from
various sources
Writing
To assess the ability of candidates to :
• write texts for different contexts, audiences and purposes
with relevant content and adequate supporting details
• convey meaning using varied vocabulary, linguistic
devices and language patterns appropriately and
accurately
• plan and produce coherent and structured texts with
ideas effectively presented and developed
• write texts using appropriate tone, style and register and
the salient features of different genres
• draft and revise written texts
Listening
To assess the ability of candidates to :
• understand and interpret the purpose and meaning of a
range of spoken texts
• identify the key details of a range of spoken texts
• interpret speakers’ feelings, views attitudes and
intentions
• understand speakers with a range of accents and
language varieties in speech delivered at a moderate
pace
• understand the use of a range of language features in
fairly complex spoken texts
Speaking
To assess the ability of candidates to :
• express information and ideas with suitable elaboration
• convey meaning using a range of vocabulary and
language patterns appropriate to the context, purpose
and audience
• establish and maintain relationships / spoken exchanges
using formulaic expressions and appropriate
communication strategies
• produce coherent and structured speeches with ideas
effectively / clearly presented and developed
• pronounce words clearly and accurately
• use appropriate pace, volume, intonation, stress, eye
contact and gesture to support effective communication
Papers in junior and senior forms
S.1-3
S.4-6
Reading & Grammar
Reading (20%)
Writing & Vocabulary
Writing (25%)
Listening
Listening & Integrated
Skills (30%)
Speaking
Speaking (10%)
SBA (15%)
Tips to enhance your English
language skills:
•
•
•
•
Read more
Write more
Listen more
Speak more