HKDSE English teacher, well-versed in the HKDSE curriculum structure and assessment requirements
Master’s degree in English Language Teaching from The Education University of Hong Kong (achieved excellent results across all subjects; participated in multiple secondary school teaching practicums; possesses rich frontline teaching experience)
Dedicated to enhancing students’ English writing, reading comprehension, and listening skills, while also coaching them in exam strategies to support their admission to ideal universities
I believe every student has unlimited potential. With patience and systematic guidance, they can steadily improve in the DSE examination and bravely pursue their dreams. I hope to be a strong support for students throughout this learning journey and accompany them as they step onto the global stage.
2025 HKDSE English Reading Paper Analysis | Social Issues Closely Related to Daily Life, Comprehension Skills Key to Scoring
The 2025 HKDSE English Paper 1 Reading exam has been successfully completed. This year’s paper continues the structure of “paired passages with topic choice,” consisting of Part A (compulsory questions) and Part B (elective questions: B1 / B2).
Overall, the passages focus on social issues and are closely related to students’ everyday experiences. However, the paper also raised the bar in terms of requiring students to demonstrate strong logical reasoning and contextual understanding.
1.Text Type
This div features a popular science journal article that uses celebrity gossip as an entry point to explore why humans are so fascinated by gossip, the psychological functions of gossip in society, and its evolutionary background. Although the article begins with the topic of celebrity divorces, it gradually delves into psychological and sociological perspectives. The structure progresses from simple to complex, with a clear and rigorous line of reasoning.
2.Assessment
-Understanding the author’s viewpoint and stance
-Distinguishing between academic terminology and everyday language
-Analyzing the relationship between examples and the main idea.
3.Challenges
-The article contains many real-life examples (e.g., a celebrity divorce), which may mislead candidates into mistaking them for the main idea, causing them to overlook the underlying social significance.
-The questions include logical traps, particularly testing the ability to identify topic sentences and contrast markers. Careful analysis of the article’s structure and sentence patterns is required.
4.Suggested Focus Areas
✔ Train to quickly identify the main idea of each paragraph
✔Strengthen the ability to distinguish between examples and the author's viewpoint
✔ Improve semantic reasoning skills when dealing with complex sentence structures
Practical Text – Integration of Text and Visuals
is Key
1.Topic
The article introduces how to forage for edible wild plants in the outskirts of Hong Kong, offering practical advice based on the experiences of forager Wanda Huang. The text is interspersed with various charts and visuals, requiring candidates to extract key information from them.
2.Answering Features
Chart-based questions are relatively easy to score, but require accurate identification of keywords and data,
Many questions test the ability to distinguish between general advice and personal anecdotes,Terminology distinctions (e.g., "fungi" vs. "roots") are common pitfalls.
3.Overall Evaluation
B1 is relatively straightforward and suits students with slower reading speeds but a solid foundational understanding. Attention must be paid to avoid over-interpretation or making subjective assumptions that lead to point deductions.
Editorial Text – Understanding Social Phenomena and Comparing Viewpoints
1.Topic Content
This article explores the post-pandemic workplace trend of "Quiet Quitting", explaining that it does not mean resigning, but rather employees choosing to do only the minimum required by their job contracts. The piece also discusses Gen Z's values toward work and includes online comments, resembling the format of a 2015 exam topic.
2.Answering Challenges
-The literal meaning of “quiet quitting” is highly misleading; many candidates mistake it for “resignation”
-Frequent testing of paraphrasing skills, such as matching “fulfillment” with “life goals”
-A high proportion of complex question types like paragraph matching and viewpoint comparison
3.Overall Evaluation
B2 places greater demands on reading comprehension and vocabulary precision. It is more suitable for candidates who read widely and stay informed about current affairs.
Review & Exam Preparation Suggestions
This year’s two reading passages both center on contemporary social issues. While the topics are relatable and grounded in daily life, the language remains precise and formal. Notably, both texts are sourced from overseas publications, which marks a shift from the more commonly seen local articles in past papers. As a result, students unfamiliar with foreign articles may face the challenge of “understanding every word but not the meaning of the whole paragraph.”
Suggestions for preparation are as follows：
✅ Main Idea vs. Examples Training:Learn to extract the author’s viewpoint from topic and concluding sentences to avoid being misled by examples.
✅ Semantic Judgement Practice:For example, distinguishing between entertainment and social grooming—strengthen the ability to interpret meaning in context.
✅ Chart and Data Interpretation:Improve skills in processing and integrating textual and visual information.
✅ Expand Reading Exposure:Read at least one English-language article from an international publication daily, covering topics such as psychology, social phenomena, and business trends.
✅ Boost Reading Speed:Master skimming and scanning techniques to enhance overall time management during the exam.
