An introduction to the AS Use of English

An introduction to the AS Use of English examination By Miss Vanessa Pang ^. ^

A comparison between the HKCEE and the UE

Writing HKCEE Score UE Paper I 26% Composition Candidates are required to write about 300 words on one of the three topics in Syllabus B and 250 words in Syllabus A. Section B Writing Candidates are required to write about 500 words on one of the four topics. Scor e 18%

The topics which appear in the writing options cover three broad themes: • 1. School life; • 2. Hong Kong society; and • 3. Global interest.

Reading comprehension and usage HKCEE Score UE Paper II Reading 24% Comprehension and Usage It includes reading comprehension, MC questions , matching, proofreading, blank filling and so on. Score Section C Reading 18% and Language Systems Part I 6% Reading comprehension Part II 12% Language systems

Part I Reading Question 1 Comprehension The questions are divided into three types: (i) Sentence-level questions e. g. a question testing a vocabulary item. (ii) Supra- sentence level questions e. g. a question which ask you to interpret an argument or refer to to two or more sentences (iii) Text level questions e. g. a question which asks about the overall tone or stance of the article

Part II Language Systems • • • Question 2 Multiple choice Cloze Question 3 Theme Exercise Question 4 Summary Cloze Question 5 Matching Question 6 Proofreading

Listening HKCEE Score UE Paper III 32% Integrated Listening , Reading and Writing Candidates are required to complete writing task through listening and reading the information in the data file. Score Section A 18% Listening It includes form filling, answer short questions and so on. Section E Practical skill for work and study

HKCEE Score UE Section E Practical skill for work and study Candidates have to complete different writing tasks based on the information in the data file. Score 28%

Section E Practical Skills In the last four years, the following tasks have all appeared: • • • Writing an article Completing a leaflet Preparing answers to questions Writing a report Completing a fact-sheet Responding to suggestions

• • Making recommendations Completing a worksheet Replying to a letter Filling in a table

• Section E Use of English examination is quite a demanding one, and you have to skim-read a lot of material quickly to find information that you need for each task.

Oral HKCEE Score UE Score Paper IV Oral Part I Role play Part II Group interaction 18% Section D Oral Part I Individual Presentation Part II Group Discussion

Part I : Individual Presentation • Students are required to make a presentation based on the contents of a 300 -word passage. You should try your best to reword and/or rephrase it’s contents. YOU MUST NOT REPEAT WHOLE SENTENCES OR PARAGRAPHS FROM THE ORIGINAL PASSAGE.

Part II: Group Discussion • In this part, you are expected to take part in an informal, friendly and good-humoured interaction. An attempt should be made to cover both subject matter of the discussion and any procedures or organization which are necessary.