DSE English – Paper 2 Exam Analysis
Debating
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Inter-school debating contest | Report for school newsletter
• Describe the topic for debate • How the team performed • Which team won the competition • What the prize was | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | “Nuclear power is the best source of energy for the future” | Debate speech | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | Recruiting school debating club members | Speech in the school assembly
• Explain the activities the debating club organizes • Benefits of being in the club • Importance in life of being a good debater | 8.5% (24.56) |
| 2013 | People making unreasonable complaints | Letter to the editor
• Describe the situation which some people complained about • Outline the point of view of the complainants • Indicate why they are unreasonable | 6.3% (22.66) |
| 2014 | Limited access to school lockers | Formal letter to the school Principal
• Persuade her to change the policy on lockers as the chairperson of the SU | 34% (18) |
| 2015 | Land use of undeveloped harbor front area | Letter to the editor
• State the opinion either for or against leaving the area open for public use • Give three reasons | 7.1% (24.69) |
| 2016 | Parents installing apps on children’s mobile phones that monitor their activities | Letter to the editor
• State whether you agree with the parents' actions • Give three reasons | 20.6% (22.6) |
| 2017 | “Watching TV makes us smarter” | Debate speech
• Give three reasons | 12.0% (21.46) |
| 2018 | “The policy of reporting students’ class position should be abolished” | Debate speech
• Argue either for or against the motion | 9% (26.1) |
| 2019 | “Do social media platforms encourage or stifle public debate?” | Argumentative essay
• Choose one side of the argument and state your position • Give reasons and evidence | 9.4% (23.3) |
| 2020 | Warning labels on foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat and salt | Argumentative essay
• Argue either for or against the effectiveness of food warning labels in changing people’s eating habits | 20% (24.9) |
| 2021 | Social media influencers | Argumentative essay
• Discuss whether social media influencers are more trustworthy than traditional media advertisements | 12% (23.3) |
| 2022 | Four-day school week | Letter to the President of the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) • State your opinion either for or against a four-day school week • Give reasons to support your view | TBA |
Drama
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Disastrous school play performance | Review
• Describe what the play was about • Explain what went wrong on the night | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | Drama rehearsal | Diary entry
• Describe what happened at the rehearsal • Whether it was a success • What you need to improve before the next rehearsal | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | Incorporating drama into English lessons | Forum post
• Explain the (lack of) educational benefits of the use of drama • Share experience of learning through drama | 7.8% (19.14) |
| 2013 | Betraying best friend | Diary entry
• Describe an instance of betrayal • Make reference to the plot of Julius Caesar | 2.7% (15.31) |
| 2014 | Poor behaviour during a drama performance | Formal email to Drama Club members
• Describe the complaint received • Explain what behaviour is prohibited/encouraged and reasons | 3.9% (12.92) |
| 2015 | Elderly realizing their dreams | Story
• Describe the elderly realizing their dreams | 6.5% (17.78) |
| 2016 | Studying at HKAPA | Personal email
• Convince parents to support the decision to study at HKAPA instead of another institution | 7.3% (19.5) |
| 2017 | Romantic love and happy marriage | Essay
• Define romantic love and happy marriage • Explain why romantic love is (not) necessary for a happy marriage | 1.6% (19.09) |
| 2018 | Showing video-recordings of live drama performances | Magazine feature article
• Explain why the video-recordings are (not) a good way to attract more people to watch stage plays | 2% (18.4) |
| 2019 | New Cinderella | Film review
• Brief description of the plot • How the characters are portrayed • Why the director wanted to make this film | 4.3% (20.5) |
| 2020 | Chinese Opera | Blog post
• Describe your experience watching Chinese Opera in the new Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon Cultural District • Describe the impact it had on you | 6% (17.4) |
| 2021 | A new TV drama series about three generations of a family | Formal letter to the production manager
• Introduce the characters, plot and setting • Explain why the idea would be popular with viewers | 1.5% (16.9) |
| 2022 | The hero and the villain | Journal entry • Reflect on which role you preferred playing • Explain the reasons | TBA |
Poems & Songs
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | A poem advertising a restaurant | Personal letter
• Comment on the things you like best about his poem • What could be improved to make the advertisement more effective | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | Foul language in songs and freedom of speech | Letter to the editor
• Explain why songs which contain foul language do not have a negative influence on society • Explain how songs are just a means of expressions under freedom of speech | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | First performance at a music festival | Blog post
• Describe the performance • How you felt • The atmosphere • The things you could have done better | 8.8% (16.3) |
| 2013 | Time | Speech
• Explain how time can slip away if you don’t make good use of it • Explain how to make good use of time • Need to refer to the song | 4.7% (20.76) |
| 2014 | Hong Kong Schools Poetry Festival | School magazine feature article
• How you prepared for the competition • What you learned from this experience | 3.3% (16.04) |
| 2015 | Language arts festival | Formal letter to the Central Library
• Suggest two interesting activities • Explain how these activities would increase students’ interest in learning English | 2.5% (15.68) |
| 2016 | Fear | Essay
• Explain how importance it is for us to acknowledge the challenges we face and find ways to cope with them • Need to use relevant personal examples • Need to refer to the quote | 2.4% (21.7) |
| 2017 | Opportunities | Blog post
• Write about one opportunity that you missed • One opportunity that you took • Need to refer to the song | 3.1% (21.23) |
| 2018 | Summer poetry workshop | Letter of application
• Explain why you are interested in participating in the workshop • Why you should be selected to take part in this workshop | 1% (10.7) |
| 2019 | Criticism | Speech
• Discuss what a critic does • How to give criticism • Ways to respond to criticism • Need to refer to the quote | 3.7% (23.6) |
| 2020 | Best New Artist | Feature article in a magazine
• Report on Zoe’s sudden rise to fame • Report on where the ideas behind her songs came from | 5% (24.1) |
| 2021 | New friends and old friends | Essay
• What is the difference between old and new friendships? • Are older friendships better than new ones? | 4.5% (17.3) |
| 2022 | Bio for a musical group | Artist biography •Background information about the group •Style of music •Plans for the future | TBA |
Popular Culture
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Planning a special birthday event for one of your parents on a reality show | Personal letter
• Describe the event was organized • How your parent felt about it being shown on TV | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | Proposing a reality TV show for school TV network | Proposal
• Theme and content of the show • Why this would be popular with students • How to make it appealing to viewers | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | Cosmetic surgery and obsession with physical beauty | Letter to the editor | 7.3% (26.28) |
| 2013 | Popularity of Asian stars in Western countries | Article for school newspaper
• Reasons for the rise | 16.0% (20.78) |
| 2014 | Stand-up comedy show | Article for school magazine
• Describe the show • Discuss the challenges performers might face • How students can benefit from watching it | 4.4% (18.92) |
| 2015 | Fewer people going to cinemas than before | Report
• Reasons • Suggestions | 5.9% (22.46) |
| 2016 | Proposing a Youth Festival to showcase youth trends in Hong Kong | Proposal
• Suggest 1 or 2 trends • Ways to present | 3.1% (13.2) |
| 2017 | Protecting intangible cultural heritage (traditional egg tarts or mahjong) | Letter to the editor
• Reasons why we should protect • Ways to protect | 20.1% (19.42) |
| 2018 | Trend of athleisure | Article for local newspaper
• Reasons for the rise | 9% (23.6) |
| 2019 | Getting information about the latest trends in pop culture | Article for Young Post
• Sources of information about the latest trends | 27.5% (21.1) |
| 2020 | Hong Kong’s housing estates becoming Instagram spots | Essay
• What attracts Instagrammers to Hong Kong’s housing estates • How residents feel about this | 22% (22.3) |
| 2021 | The 21-day Gratitude Challenge | Blog post
• Why you accepted this challenge • What you hoped to achieve • Reflect on the 21 days and whether taking on this challenge has changed you | 11% (24.6) |
| 2022 | YouTube channel from a teenage perspective | Article for Teen Magazine •Why you started this channel •What you have learned in the process | TBA |
Short Stories
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Changes in Hong Kong | Personal letter
• Describe the changes in Hong Kong • How you feel about them | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | What makes a good short story | School magazine article
• Explain why you found the talk interesting • What you learnt | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | Poor brother driving an expensive sports car | Short story
• Explain how you found out the truth | 10.9% (17.9) |
| 2013 | Vandals hit museum | Short story
• Explain why the masterpieces were damaged | 3.2% (19.62) |
| 2014 | Roommate’s sudden departure | Short story
• Describe the events that led to your roommate’s sudden departure • Explain why your roommate suddenly left the hall | 6.8% (17.01) |
| 2015 | Meet the author | Formal email to a teacher
• Explain why you have selected the author • Suggest activities the author can either lead or help with | 2.8% (15.01) |
| 2016 | Revenge is sweet | Short story
• Explain why the protagonist took revenge | 4.0% (17.1) |
| 2017 | Wildlife | Short story
• Describe the events leading to a lion climbing up a kitchen stove | 5.3% (18.34) |
| 2018 | Open bird cage | Short story
• Describe the events leading to the open bird cage • Describe the events that take place afterwards | 11% (18.7) |
| 2019 | The New Tortoise and the Hare | Short story
• Describe the race • Include the ending that the two characters team up to race against other contestants and win • Include a message for the story | 11.6% (16.7) |
| 2020 | Disappearing staff in a research station | Short story
• Write the first chapter only of a story based on the scenario | 4% (23.6) |
| 2021 | Scary story about a security guard on duty at night | Short story
• Write a scary story based on four pictures provided: two people in the security room, a security guard falling asleep, alarm ringing, security guard patrolling (in any order) | 9% (19) |
| 2022 | Story about survival in nature | Short story •Write a story about a hiker who got caught in a storm while hiking in the mountains | TBA |
Social Issues
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Abusing pets | Formal letter to SPCA
• Show concern • Give details of any incidents of abuse • Suggest some measure to ensure the welfare of the pets and say why they are urgent | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | The joys of being a teenager in Hong Kong | Speech for a conference | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | Mental health | Magazine feature article
• Describe the friend’s depression • How he/she overcame it • Give advice on how to help fight depression | 31.4% (24.84) |
| 2013 | Private school bus service operators not following proper safety procedures | Formal letter to the Bus Operators Association
• Express concerns • Give three recommendations for how private school bus services can be improved | 17.7% (20.92) |
| 2014 | Filming movies in the city centre | Letter to the editor
• Give opinion • Give three reasons | 19.8% (20.74) |
| 2015 | Sending children to other countries to complete schooling | School magazine article
• Examine two reasons for the phenomenon • Discuss the impact of this on local schools and on children who leave to study overseas | 42.9% (22.05) |
| 2016 | “Hong Kong’s Disappearing Street Life” | Essay
• Focus on one aspect of local street life or culture that is fast disappearing • Suggest why it is worth preserving | 5.2% (18.7) |
| 2017 | Hong Kong NEETs | Report
• Explain why the number of NEETs in HK is rising • Suggest what can be done to help these youths • Give reasons to support suggestions | 39.9% (22.2) |
| 2018 | Parental intervention in choosing career | Letter of advice for a teen magazine | 52.3% (22) |
| 2019 | Hiring international talents | Essay
• Explain some benefits and challenges international talent brings to HK • Ways to ensure that people from local community are not neglected | 28% (24.2) |
| 2020 | Small independent stationery shops in Hong Kong closing | News report
• Explain the trend • Discuss whether independent stationery shops can survive | 22% (23.4) |
| 2021 | Low sales of electric dars | Letter to the editor
• Discuss why sales of electric vehicles are so low • Suggest what can be done to attract more people to drive these vehicles | 44% (24.0) |
| 2022 | Young people's lack of interest in traditional art forms | Letter to the editor | TBA |
Sports Communication
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Taking up motorbike racing as a hobby | Informal letter
• Explain why you are worried about the hobby • Persuade him to take up a different sport • Give reasons for the recommendation | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | removing PE lessons from the curriculum | Formal letter to the Secretary of Education
• Express your views | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | Doing virtual sports versus real sports | Online post in a health e-magazine
• Write your views | 14.1% (19.3) |
| 2013 | Producing a program about a local HK sporting event | Formal email to a teacher
• Suggest a sporting event • Explain what would be included in the program • Outline how to make the program interesting to schoolmates | 17.4% (12.23) |
| 2014 | Requesting donation of old equipment from a fitness centre | Formal letter to a fitness centre
• Describe how the donation could benefit the school and the fitness centre | 14% (17.33) |
| 2015 | Disappointing PE lessons | Formal letter to the Principal
• Explain why the classmates are unhappy about existing PE lessons • Suggest some activities that could be introduced in the future PE lessons • Explain why students would prefer them | 26.8% (17.36) |
| 2016 | Using sports facilities after school hours | Letter to the editor
• State the opinion • Give three reasons | 34.1% (19.5) |
| 2017 | Dancers are athletes | School magazine article
• as a member of the dancing team • Write about physical strength and skills • Self-discipline and training | 7.4% (16.9) |
| 2018 | Hong Kong Marathon | Blog entry (on HK Marathon website)
• Encourage other young people to take part in the next marathon | 23% (20.8) |
| 2019 | Unexpected incidence during the final game of the season | News report
• Describe the incident and what happened afterwards • Include thoughts and opinions from different people involved | 9.5% (18.4) |
| 2020 | Proposing Dragon Boat Racing in future Olympics | Formal letter to the International Olympic Committee
• Explain how it appeals to young people • Explain how it promotes gender equality • Explain how it attracts media coverage | 8% (20.7) |
| 2021 | Professional athlete looking for a career change | Job application letter
• Introduce yourself and your athletic history • Explain your interest and suitability for the job | 8% (19.4) |
| 2022 | Being second in the inter-school championship | Speech | TBA |
Workplace Communication
| Year | Topic | Genre & Requirements | Popularity (Mean/42) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper | Work experience program | School magazine article
• Describe the experience during the “Working Week” • The feeling about the chosen job | Data unavailable |
| Practice paper | Job interview | Personal email
• Offer advice on how to prepare for the interview • What to do during the interview | Data unavailable |
| 2012 | A campaign about recruiting criminals or drug addicts | Formal letter
• Outline the new project • Explain the benefits • Persuade the businesses to join the scheme | 11.1% (20.5) |
| 2013 | Many people leaving the office late | Company newsletter article
• Describe the situation • Discuss the negative effects • Give two suggestions to improve the situation | 31.0% (22.10) |
| 2014 | Summer job experiences as a costumed character performer | Newspaper article
• Describe the typical working day • The good things and bad things about the job | 34% (18) |
| 2015 | Handling complaints about the company | Email to the manager
• Summarize details of a recent complaint • Suggest three possible actions | 5.0% (17.96) |
| 2016 | Graduates finding a job in other cities in Asia | Essay
• Discuss your views on this suggestion • Give three reasons | 22.6% (21.7) |
| 2017 | Graduates being less hard-working and less willing to face challenges | Letter to the editor
• Disagree with the issue • Give three reasons and / or examples | 10.0% (20.18) |
| 2018 | Complaints about work-related emails and text messages received out of office | Letter to staff
• Address the complaints | 2% (20.1) |
| 2019 | Designing campaign poster for a candidate running in the district council election | Email to the council election committee
• Explain the ideas behind the designs and how they would make a good campaign theme • Share the idea for a new design | 5.3% (21.97) |
| 2020 | Applying for a work transfer | Email to manager
• Highlight your work experience • Highlight why you would like to transfer • Highlight how your transfer will benefit the organisation | 13% (19.6) |
| 2021 | Advocating for the cancellation of the no-exchange/no-refund policy | Email to sales manager
• Explain why the policy should be changed • Suggest what changes could be made • Discuss ways to prevent customers from taking advantage of the new policy | 10% (21.7) |
| 2022 | Opening a café vs. accepting a promotion at current company | Letter of advice for a job magazine | TBA |
Trends in text types
| Genre | Specific text type | Frequency | Year & Question number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposition | feature article | 18 | SPQ8, PPQ3, 12Q1, 12Q9, 13Q6, 13Q7, 14Q1, 14Q6, 14Q7, 14Q8, 15Q4, 16Q3, 17Q8, 18Q6, 18Q7, 19Q5, 20Q7, 22Q2 |
| Exposition | formal letter | 14 | SPQ9, PPQ6, 12Q8, 13Q4, 14Q2, 14Q5, 15Q2, 15Q8, 17Q1, 18Q3, 20Q4, 20Q5, 21Q9, 22Q9 |
| Exposition | letter to the editor | 12 | PPQ4, 12Q6, 13Q5, 14Q4, 15Q1, 15Q5, 16Q2, 16Q4, 17Q5, 17Q9, 21Q2, 22Q5 |
| Exposition | speech | 7 | PPQ9, 12Q5, 13Q8, 16Q1, 19Q7, 21Q1, 22Q4 |
| Exposition | formal email | 6 | 13Q2, 14Q3, 15Q6, 15Q9, 19Q8, 21Q3 |
| Exposition | essay | 6 | 16Q5, 16Q8, 17Q4, 19Q2, 20Q2, 21Q8 |
| Exposition | letter of advice | 4 | SPQ2, PPQ8, 18Q4, 22Q3 |
| Exposition | debate speech | 3 | PPQ7, 17Q6, 18Q5 |
| Exposition | personal letter | 3 | SPQ4, SPQ6, SPQ7 |
| Exposition | review | 3 | SPQ3, 19Q6, 20Q1 |
| Exposition | argumentative essay | 3 | 19Q3, 20Q6, 21Q5 |
| Exposition | proposal | 2 | PPQ5, 16Q7 |
| Exposition | report | 2 | 15Q7, 17Q7 |
| Exposition | forum post | 2 | 12Q2, 12Q3 |
| Exposition | letter of application | 2 | 18Q8, 21Q4 |
| Exposition | information poster | 1 | PPQ1 |
| Exposition | personal email | 1 | 16Q9 |
| Exposition | parents’ letter | 1 | 18Q1 |
| Exposition | news report | 1 | 20Q3 |
| Exposition | Artist biography | 1 | 22Q6 |
| Narrative | short story | 11 | 12Q7, 13Q9, 14Q9, 15Q3, 16Q6, 17Q3, 18Q9, 19Q9, 20Q8, 21Q7, 22Q8 |
| Narrative | travel guide | 1 | 22Q1 |
| Recount | blog post | 5 | 12Q4, 17Q2, 18Q2, 20Q9, 21Q6 |
| Recount | news report | 3 | SPQ1, SPQ5, 19Q4 |
| Recount | diary/journal entry | 3 | PPQ2, 13Q3, 22Q7 |
| Recount | photo descriptions | 1 | 13Q1 |
| Recount | yearbook entry | 1 | 19Q1 |
Average Score of Different Electives
| Property | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debating | 24.56 | 22.66 | 20.02 | 24.69 | 22.6 | 21.46 | 26.1 | 23.3 | 24.9 | 23.3 | 23.4 |
| Social Issues | 24.84 | 20.92 | 20.74 | 22.05 | 18.7 | 22.2 | 22 | 24.2 | 23.4 | 24 | 22.3 |
| Popular Culture | 26.28 | 20.78 | 18.92 | 22.46 | 13.2 | 19.42 | 23.6 | 21.1 | 22.3 | 24.6 | 21.3 |
| Workplace Communication | 20.5 | 22.1 | 18 | 17.96 | 21.7 | 20.18 | 20.1 | 21.97 | 19.6 | 21.7 | 20.4 |
| Poems & Songs | 16.3 | 20.76 | 16.04 | 15.68 | 21.7 | 21.23 | 10.7 | 23.6 | 24.1 | 17.3 | 18.7 |
| Short Stories | 17.9 | 19.62 | 17.01 | 15.01 | 17.1 | 18.34 | 18.7 | 16.7 | 23.6 | 19 | 18.3 |
| Sports Communication | 19.3 | 12.23 | 17.33 | 17.36 | 19.5 | 16.9 | 20.8 | 18.4 | 20.7 | 19.4 | 18.2 |
| Drama | 19.14 | 15.31 | 12.92 | 17.78 | 19.5 | 19.09 | 18.4 | 20.5 | 17.4 | 16.9 | 17.7 |