Specific Factual Information Questions are usually the easiest questions in DSE. They are between Level 2 to 4 in terms of difficulty. While you may be able to directly copy words or phrases from the text as the answers to these questions, you need to know how to locate the words or phrases needed because the exam setters often use synonyms when forming these questions. Also, you should be prepared to replace the pronouns in your answers with their referents in order to make the meaning of the answers complete. |
Type 1: Specific factual information Give TWO examples of mental illnesses mentioned in paragraph 2.
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Type 2: Numbers and figures Using the information given in paragraphs 3-6, complete the table below with the missing percentages. (4 marks)
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Type 3: Correct/Incorrect statements According to paragraph 9, which are some of the effective methods for improving mental health? Put a tick (✓) next to the effective one(s). (3 marks)
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Type 4: Visual question Which of the following is NOT found in the suspect's backpack? Put a tick (✓) in the box.
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Type 5: Sentence completion question Complete the chart below using information from paragraph 10. (3 marks) Exam tips
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Referencing Questions are common in
DSE, but they are also very tricky. They are between
Level 2 to 4 in terms of difficulty. Rarely can you
find the referent of a pronoun or a phrase within the
same sentence; most of the time, you need to read
the previous sentence(s) in order to find the
referent. Sometimes, you may even need to infer
the referent(s) or manipulate the information
you have found from the text in order to match the
part of speech of the answer required. |
Type 1: Referencing Questions What does 'that' (line 43) refer to?
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Type 2: Signposting words/phrases Find a word or phrase that the writer uses in paragraph 7 to signal a change in topic.
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Synonym Questions can be easy to answer
if you already know what the words, phrases or
expressions mean before reading the text, but if you
don't, there are ways to make informed guesses for the
answers. They are between Level 2 to 4 in terms of
difficulty. |
Type 1: Synonyms and antonyms
For each word given below, find a word which has a similar meaning in paragraph 2. (3 marks)
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Type 2: Multiple-choice question What does 'set up' (line 24) mean?
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Type 3: Phrase question Find TWO phrases that the writer uses in paragraph 3 to describe Rupi Kaur's abrupt rise. (2 marks)
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Type 4: Multiple-choice question
What does Professor Matthews mean by 'rational' in line 37?
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Type 5: Suggesting word meaning Suggest one word to replace 'distinctive' (line 5).
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True, False, Not Given Questions
consistently get the most correct answers in DSE. They
are between Level 2 to 4 in difficulty, and they test
your understanding of the factual information
given in the text and occasionally require inferencing
skills. |
True/False/Not Given Question Decide whether the following statements are True (T), False (F), or if the information is Not Given (NG) based on paragraph 6. (3 marks)
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Inferencing Questions are slightly more
difficult than Referencing Questions because instead
of directly copying information from the text as your
answer, you need to use your own words to
answer the questions using inferencing skills.
They are between Level 4 to 5 in difficulty. |
Type 1: Inferencing questions
1. What TWO implications does the word 'wicked' have in 'wicked good cupcakes' (line 99)? (2 marks)
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Type 2: Comparison
1. What is the similarity between Jack Ma and Forrest Gump?
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Views and Attitudes Questions are a
variation of Inferencing Questions and therefore are
also between Level 4 and 5 in difficulty. To answer
this kind of questions correctly, you must have a
clear understanding of the writer's opinion on the
topic. You must also know common tone and
attitude words, as answers such as 'positive'
and 'negative' are typically not accepted in DSE. |
Type 1: Views and attitudes
What is the writer's attitude towards implementing the new technology for officiating football matches? Explain your answer with reference to paragraph 9. (2 marks)
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Type 2: Tone What is the writer's tone in paragraph 6?
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Type 3: Table completion question on views and attitudes
Complete the table below by identifying how the researchers differ in their understanding of land reclamation using information given in paragraphs 7-10. (5 marks) Exam tips
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Type 4: Giving and justifying opinions
Do you think that Hong Kong's art scene will become more vibrant in the future? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
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Type 5: Justifying two opposing views
Should a licensing system for busking be implemented? Give one reason to support each point of view. (2 marks)
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It's safe to say that Main Idea
Questions are the most difficult questions in DSE, as
they are Level 5 in difficulty. Before you answer
these questions, you must have a throughout
understanding of the text. You must also have
a good understanding of common text types and
the common purposes of a writer including
certain information in a text. |
Type 1: Main idea of a paragraph What is the main idea of paragraph 5? Exam tips
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Type 2: Text type The text is ...
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Type 3: Purpose of writing 1. What is the main purpose of paragraph 8?
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Type 4: Subheadings that match
paragraphs Match the correct subheadings (A-E) to the paragraphs in Text 3. Write the letter in the space next to the paragraph numbers. (5 marks)
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Type 5: Best alternative title Which of the following is the best title for Text 3?
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Type 6: Quotes
Match each of the following sentences with one of the traits of helicopter parents mentioned in paragraph 6. Write the appropriate trait under the speech bubble. (3 marks) Exam tips
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Type 7: Summary cloze
Complete the summary of paragraphs 4 and 5 by writing ONE word in each blank. Make sure your answers are grammatically correct. (5 marks) Exam tips
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Type 8: Sequence/Order of events Number the following events according to the order in which they took place. Write (1-4) in the boxes provided. (4 marks)
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Type 9: Proofreading Below is a summary of paragraph 8. In three of the lines, there is ONE mistake. If you find a mistake, underline the mistake and replace the word with one that expresses the correct idea. Write the word in the space on the right. If there is no mistake, put a tick (✓) in the space. The first has been done for you. (4 marks)
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Type 10: Matching speakers to statements Below are comments made by some of the people mentioned in Texts 4 and 5. Match each with one comment. Use each letter ONCE only. One comment is not used and you should select 'Not applicable'. (6 marks) Exam tips
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Figurative Language Questions are
statistically the most challenging questions
in DSE, as typically less than 10% of DSE candidates
can answer these questions correctly. They are Level 5
in difficulty, but it's not an overstatement to say
that they are really Level 5** questions. They
test your understanding of different literary
devices, which include similes, metaphors,
personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole/exaggeration,
irony, sarcasm, puns, and understatement. |
Type 1: Irony Describe the irony in paragraph 10. Exam tips
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Type 2: Metaphors
1. i) Which metaphor does the writer use to describe the subject in paragraph 4? (1 mark) Exam tips
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Type 3: Dilemma/Dichotomy
1. What is the dichotomy that the writer mentions? (2 marks) Exam tips
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