Secondary 3

English Language (General English)

End-of-year Assessment 4

Name: Class:

Date: Marks:

QUESTION-ANSWER BOOK
___________________________________________________________________________

Instructions:

1 There are 17 pages in this Question-Answer Book.

2 There are 3 sections in this paper (Reading, Vocabulary, Language).

3 There are 130 marks in this paper.

4 Time allowed is 60 minutes.

5 Answer all questions in this Question-Answer Book.

 Reading (45 marks)

Part 1 (27 marks)

You are doing a class project on endangered animals. You found an online article about a
‘panda nanny’ to help you with the project.
Read the article and answer the questions.

The work of a ‘panda nanny’

[1] After checking the panda’s food and water supply, the young
woman scratches Ling Ling behind his ears. In return, the animal
nuzzles his head gently against the young woman’s leg. Her name is
Sarah Chu, a twenty-six-year-old ‘panda nanny’ — one of four panda
caretakers at a wildlife park in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province.
5
[2] Sarah’s daily duties include feeding bamboo shoots and grass to
half a dozen young pandas and making sure they have fresh water.
She also keeps the pandas’ enclosures clean and tidy — laborious
work that never ends. In addition, she grooms the pandas to keep
10 their fur clean and healthy. These are important tasks, but they
aren’t her favourite part of the job. ‘The best part is getting to play
and interact with the pandas,’ she says. ‘It keeps them happy and
active.’

[3] However, the job has its share of challenges. The hours are long
15 and Sarah has to get up every two hours during the night to feed
the pandas and change their water. Luckily, she and the other
panda nannies take turns doing night shifts. Being a panda nanny
also presents emotional challenges, as it is impossible to avoid
becoming emotionally attached to the animals. Whenever one
becomes ill, dies or is moved to a different wildlife park, it breaks
20 Sarah’s heart.

[4] Despite the heartbreak, Sarah would never think of quitting.

She is proud to play a part in protecting the
giant panda population. Native to the mountain
ranges in central China, giant pandas have
25 been driven out of the lowland areas as a result
of farming, deforestation and ever-expanding
urban development. Their numbers have
dropped significantly in recent decades, and as
a result, the species has been labelled as being
30 vulnerable to becoming extinct.
 [5] Experts estimate that 1,500 to 3,000 giant pandas remain in the
wild, with roughly 300 more living in captivity at sanctuaries in
China and around the world. Also adding to their dangerously low
population is the fact that giant pandas have an extremely low birth
35 rate. In the wild, a female panda gives birth to only four to six cubs
during her whole lifetime, and many giant pandas refuse to
reproduce while in captivity or in unstable environments in the wild.

[6] Protecting giant pandas has many environmental benefits.

40 Pandas spread the seeds of bamboo and other plant life. In this way,
they help bamboo forests to thrive. Other animals living in the
forests also have a better chance of survival when living in large,
healthy forests. These include other endangered species such as the
dwarf blue sheep and the golden monkey. Finally, protecting giant
pandas benefits humans. The bamboo forests are very important to
45 local communities, as the people rely on them for food, fuel for
cooking and heating, medicine, and more. In addition, pandas can
help generate economic benefits to local communities through
ecotourism by attracting tourists from around the world.

[7] Back at the wildlife park, Sarah finishes scratching Ling Ling
behind his ears. Feeling extremely thankful to be a panda nanny and
for the chance to help protect such magnificent creatures, she ends
her shift for today. It may sound strange for the person providing
the help to feel thankful, but Sarah understands that protecting
giant pandas is a gift that doesn’t just benefit the pandas, bamboo
forests and other wildlife — it benefits all of us.

A Write your answers in the spaces provided. For multiple-choice questions, choose the
best answer and blacken the circle next to the corresponding letter.

1 According to paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT true?

Sarah Chu _____.

 A is easily scared by animals
 B looks after young pandas
 C works with other caretakers
 D works at a wildlife park

2 a) How does Ling Ling feel when Sarah scratches behind his ears? (1 mark)

b) What does Ling Ling do to show how he feels? (1 mark)

3 The main purpose of paragraph 1 is to _____.
 A describe the wildlife park
 B explain what a ‘panda nanny’ is
 C introduce Ling Ling and his home
 D introduce Sarah and her job

4 Find a word in paragraph 2 that means ‘requiring a lot of time and effort’.

5 What FOUR tasks does Sarah have to do every day for her job? (4 marks)
a)

b)

c)

d)

6 Find a phrase in paragraph 4 that means ‘forced to leave’.

7 According to paragraph 4, which of the following are given as reasons for the fall in the
number of giant pandas in lowland areas? Tick () THREE statements only. (3 marks)

a) Cities have spread to previously undeveloped areas.

b) Lowland forests have shrunk due to the cutting down of trees.
c) More people have started hiking in the mountain ranges.
d) More of the land is being used for farming.
e) The weather has become too warm in lower areas.

8 What is the main idea of paragraph 5?

 A Female pandas have only a few cubs in their lifetime.
 B The giant panda’s low birth rate adds to its small population size.
 C It is estimated there are 1,500 to 3,000 giant pandas left in the wild.
 D Roughly 300 pandas are held in captivity in China and around the world.

9 What does ‘them’ (line 37) refer to?

10 What is the main purpose of the text?
 A to instruct
 B to inform
 C to inquire
 D to persuade
 B Blacken ONE circle only for each statement.

According to the article, are the following statements True (T), False (F) or Not Given
(NG)?
Statements T F NG
1 Ling Ling is Sarah’s favourite panda.   
2 Bamboo forests are home to dwarf blue sheep.   
3 Bamboo forests provide many useful things for people.   
4 Tourists are no longer allowed to visit bamboo forests.   

C Complete the following mind map using information given in the article. Write ONE word
in each blank.

Benefits of protecting giant pandas for …

giant pandas bamboo forests other animals humans

increases
decreases the likelihood of the speciesthe spread of
becoming bamboo
helps
(1) otherand otherthat
animals live in the produces
plant new to (3)
bamboo forests
(2) (4) opportunities for local communities

D Complete Sarah’s diary entry using information from the article. Write ONE word in
each blank. You should make sure your answers are grammatically correct.

Dear Diary

I’ve just finished another long (1) at work. Everything went well. I made
sure there was enough food and (2) for the pandas every two hours
during the night. One of the pandas, Ling Ling, is very gentle and loves to
nuzzle his head against me. I’ve become (3) to him very quickly. I
hope he stays in Xining and won’t be moved to another wildlife park. That
would break my heart!
 Part 2 (18 marks)
Lisa is doing a class project on Cantonese culture. Her teacher gave her a blog entry about
‘dim sum’ to help her with the project.
Read the blog entry and answer the questions.

Dim sum anyone?

Posted by Ryan Woo on 23rd March
ctktiger. Shutterstock
[1] I just got back from celebrating my cousin’s birthday
at Oddballs, a trendy dim sum restaurant that recently
opened in Wan Chai. It was nice to sit around a big table,
5 sharing food and conversation with my extended family.
The food was amazing — fun versions of classic dim sum
dishes. My favourite was the ‘cha siu bao pandas’ —
steamed buns filled with barbecued pork and decorated
with panda faces drawn with black food colouring.

10 [2] Dim sum has been a staple in Hong Kong for centuries and is loved by young and old
alike. In recent years, new dim sum places have been putting cute, innovative spins on
traditional dishes. They’re tasty and fun to look at. No wonder they’re so popular with
Instagrammers, who love posting photos of them online.

[3] Dim sum has always been about variety. I can’t think of another dining style where
15 you get to try so many different dishes during a single meal. The number of restaurants
that cater to dim sum lovers is just as varied. In Hong Kong, there are now endless
options to choose from, each offering its own unique take on the dining tradition. Here
are just a few examples.

Disney Dim Sum

20 [4] Every dish served at this popular Causeway Bay eatery is named after a famous
Disney character. Mickey Mango Pudding and Cinderella Sesame Balls are top-sellers for
a reason. However, be prepared to queue for a long time, as the restaurant doesn’t accept
reservations.

Big Boss
25 [5] Filled with TVs playing various Bruce Lee films, Kowloon’s newest dim sum
restaurant serves a blend of classic and modern dishes. It’s easy to see why owner and
head chef John Chang has won so many awards. The TVs aren’t just for decoration — the
food takes ages to arrive!

Silk Road
30 [6] Located in Central, this restaurant serves high-end, historic dim sum dishes. Dining
there can feel like visiting a museum, as the restaurant is decorated with art inspired by
the Silk Road teahouses, where dim sum first originated back in the Tang Dynasty (618 to
907). You should prepare yourself for a bit of a shock at the end of the meal when you
see the bill!
A Write your answers in the spaces provided. For multiple-choice questions, choose the
best answer and blacken the circle next to the corresponding letter.

1 According to paragraph 1, the writer _____.

 A is planning a birthday party at Oddballs
 B lives near a restaurant in Wan Chai
 C visited Oddballs with his cousin only
 D went to a new dim sum restaurant

2 In what way are the cha siu bao pandas ‘fun versions’ (line 6) of the classic version of
cha siu bao?

3 What word does the writer use in paragraph 2 to suggest that dim sum is an important
part of Hong Kong culture?

4 According to paragraph 2, why do Instagrammers like new-style dim sum dishes?

5 Find a phrase in paragraph 2 which means ‘versions of’.

6 In lines 21–22, the phrase ‘top-sellers for a reason’ suggests that Mickey Mango Pudding
and Cinderella Sesame Balls are popular because they are _____.
 A cute
 B expensive
 C healthy
 D sweet

7 Complete the sentence with ONE word only.

According to paragraph 4, customers cannot make at Disney Dim Sum.

8 According to paragraph 5, Big Boss _____.

 A does not serve traditional dim sum
 B is run by an award-winning chef
 C is also a popular cinema
 D was featured in Bruce Lee films
9 In line 30, ‘high-end’ means _____.
 A cheap
 B expensive
 C shocking
 D very old

10 When was the first dim sum ever made?

11 Which of the following statements is true about Silk Road?

 A It is a food museum.
 B It sells pieces of art.
 C Its food is based on very old recipes.
 D Its first shop was located on the Silk Road.

B Which restaurant mentioned in the blog entry are the following people talking about?
Write the name of the correct restaurant in each blank.

1 Alvin 2 Melissa

Not only was the dim sum The food was good, but I had to
amazing, but I also learnt a lot wait far too long to get in. I
about history! won’t be back.

3 Claire

I was extremely hungry by the

time the waiter finally brought
the food!

C Complete the summary with words taken from the text. Write ONE word in each blank.

Lovers of dim sum can find a huge (1) of dishes in Hong Kong’s many dim sum
restaurants. (2) dim sum has always been popular. However, more and more
restaurants also offer a modern (3) on dim sum. For example, some dishes are based
on (4) from Disney cartoons like Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. They are cute to look
at and taste delicious.
Vocabulary (20 marks)

Part 1 (6 marks)
Complete the sentences below with the words and phrases in the word box.

depressed extinction jealous

learn Chinese calligraphy oil exploration watch a lion dance

1 Do you think Robbie is ? He never smiles anymore.

2 Brian is of his older brother for getting such good grades.
3 Many species are facing as a result of deforestation.
4 Judy takes lessons twice a week to , so her handwriting is beautiful.
5 has negative effects on the environment. Oil spills, for example, can ruin marine life.
6 The employees took a break to for Chinese New Year.

Part 2 (8 marks)
Complete the chat conversation below with the words and phrases in the word box.
bargain biodegradable company name good-quality products
image on sale read reviews shop online

<Grace> I just ordered the coolest sandals online. While scrolling

through my newsfeed,
I saw an (1) of a model wearing them. They’ll be perfect for
going to the beach this summer!
<Amy> Did the ad include the (2) ?
<Grace> Yes. The sandals are made by an Australian company named
Lightfoot. They make eco-friendly products using only (3)
materials. I was hesitant about buying them at first because their
original price was quite high, but then I noticed they were (4) !
With no shipping costs, they were a (5) !
<Amy> My mum doesn’t let me (6) . She’s afraid I’ll waste money on
poor-quality products.
<Grace> That’s why I always (7) before buying something online. It
takes only a few minutes to find out what people who have
already bought the product think about it. In fact, I think it’s
easier to buy
(8) online than from shops.
<Amy> Can you explain this to my mum for me?
Part 3 (6 marks)
Complete the blog entry below with the words and phrases in the word box. You should make
sure your answers are grammatically correct.
advanced technology bacterial infection cutting-edge
planet scientific breakthrough scientist

The science of luck!

Posted by Eric Foo on 23rd February 20__

I love science! In my opinion, it’s one of the most important elements of humanity. Not
only does it allow us to understand our (1) and the universe, it also enables us to make
improvements to the way we live. But there’s another thing that can also help us achieve
these — luck. Below are two
(2) that wouldn’t have been possible without luck:

Penicillin
This medicine, which allows doctors to treat (3) , came from a dirty dish in a lab. In 1928,
Scottish (4) Alexander Fleming went on holiday, forgetting to clean the dish that
contained some bacteria. When he returned, he discovered that the fungi growing in the
dirty dish had killed the harmful bacteria. Penicillin was born, giving a huge boost to
medicine.

Microwave ovens
In 1945, while walking past a ‘magnetron’ — a (5) technology used to make microwaves
— American engineer Percy Spencer noticed
that the chocolate bar in his pocket melted. It took twenty years for the
(6) to appear in homes, but it wouldn’t have been possible without luck.
Language (65 marks)

Part 1 (9 marks)
Complete the sentences below using Type 0, 1, 2 and 3 conditional sentences and the verbs in
the word box. Use each verb ONCE only.

buy complete disappear get have

not be not eat read watch

1 You’d have known what happened if you the newspaper.

2 If you’d taken my advice, you in trouble.

3 If sea levels continue to rise, some islands in the future.

4 If dolphins caught in fishermen’s nets, they drown.

5 If I the TV documentary series, I’d have known more about the endangered black rhino.

6 More people the product if it had been advertised on TV.

7 If I were you, I shark’s fin soup.

8 I’m sorry but I can’t go shopping with you tomorrow. If I time, I’d certainly go with
you.

9 If Simon his report, he’d have submitted it to the professor.

Part 2 (8 marks)
Complete the following sentences using adjective patterns and the words given in brackets.

1 (impossible, predict) the future.

2 (fortunate) the little panda is safe now.
3 (not fair, Mum, give) more pocket money to my sister than me.
4 (difficult, most people, understand) these scientific theories.
5 (interesting, learn) about different cultures.
6 (rude, you, shout) at your grandparents.
7 (necessary, applicants, have) good IT skills.
8 (obvious) people are producing too much waste due to bad shopping habits.

Part 3 (9 marks)
Complete the sentences below using the gerund or ‘to’-infinitive form of the verbs in the word
box. Use each verb ONCE only.

ask attend drink follow give

hurt inform kill make

1 Kelly regretted her best friend’s feelings the other day.

2 Always remember the local customs of other countries when you’re travelling abroad.

3 We should stop elephants and tigers, or they may become extinct soon.
4 After drafting his new design on paper, Danny went on a model of it.

5 I wanted to stay up to watch football. I tried coffee, but I still fell asleep.

6 I remember the Science Fair last year and was impressed by the many innovative ideas
presented on the day.

7 We regret you that a refund is not possible, but a discount will be offered to you at your
next purchase.

8 Derek couldn’t find the bookshop, so he stopped a passerby.

9 The salesperson forgot me the receipt so I had to return to the shop and ask for it.

Part 4 (10 marks)

Frank is interviewing his NET, Mr Green, about his job. Complete their conversation below
using the correct past perfect, present perfect or simple past form of the verbs in the word
box. You can use one of the verbs more than once. Add ‘not’ where necessary.

arrive be decide enjoy offer try want

Mr Green: I (1) to be a teacher by the time I finished secondary school even though I (2)
to be a pilot before I started my last year of school.

Frank: Why did you change your mind?

Mr Green: I (3) tutoring anyone yet, so I still thought I wanted to be a pilot. But after I
tried it during my last year of school, I found that I (4) it a lot and was good at
it as well.

Frank: How long (5) you a teacher?

Mr Green: I (6) one for over ten years. I

(7) an English teacher in London before
Principal Liu (8) a job to me.

Frank: (9) you to Hong Kong before you got the job?

Mr Green: No, I hadn’t. In fact, I hadn’t been outside the UK at all before I
(10) in Hong Kong.
Part 5 (10 marks)
Complete the article below using either the active or passive form of the verbs in the word
box. Use each verb ONCE only.

ask believe continue find give

hear make not expect say succeed

Idol times

Before the American TV company Fox agreed to show the first season of
American Idol in 2002, the programme (1) to be successful. In fact, many TV
companies in the US (2) no to the show, including Fox! However, the head of Fox’s
parent company
(3) by his daughter to take a chance on the show. Luckily, he listened.

Since then, the programme (4) popular

by fans all around the world, and I am a big fan of the show myself. It
(5) that the success of the programme is due to
two reasons. First, viewers love to watch as ordinary people compete in the show and
(6) a chance to become superstars. Second, since the show began, it (7) in finding
many talented singers. For example, the music of Kelly Clarkson, the winner of the
first season, can (8) around the world.

(9) new stars on American Idol in the future? They definitely will, and so I am sure I
(10) to watch the show regularly!
Part 6 (6 marks)
Read the following conversation and complete the sentences below using reported speech.
(1)
Mrs Cheung: I’m going back to my laboratory tonight.
(2)
Mr Cheung: Why do you have to go back so late?
(3)
Mrs Cheung: I have a lot of work to do because I’m helping the police with the
investigation of a murder case.
(4)
Mr Cheung: Can I go with you to the laboratory?
(5)
Mrs Cheung: Is it because you’re afraid of being alone at home?
(6)
Mr Cheung: Yes, I’m a little frightened.

1 Mrs Cheung
.

2 Mr Cheung

3 Mrs Cheung
.

4 Mr Cheung

5 Mrs Cheung
.

6 Mr Cheung

.
Part 7 (13 marks)
Chris is writing an article about teenage diet and health for the school newsletter. Decide
which of the choices on the next page would best complete each blank in the article. Circle
the correct letters.

Healthy habits for teens

Last week, I met with Dr Chan, a nutritionist who runs a health clinic for teenagers.
Since the clinic opened two years ago, (1) ______ more than 2,000 teenagers (2) ______
by Dr Chan’s programmes.

One of Dr Chan’s first patients was a 14-year-old boy named Jimmy. ‘If Jimmy hadn’t
come to us for help, he probably (3) ______ school early,’ said Dr Chan. ‘Before he came
to the clinic, he (4) ______ anyone about his problems. He was overweight and a group of
boys were bullying him. That’s why he often tried to avoid going to school. Not only did
he feel depressed, (5) ______ started eating more junk food and putting on more weight.’
His parents noticed that something was wrong with him. (6) ______ they didn’t know
what exactly had happened, they thought something (7) ______.

Dr Chan believed that the sooner Jimmy received treatment, (8) ______. He immediately
gave Jimmy a diet plan. ‘We told him not to worry about losing weight. Instead, we asked
him to focus on being healthy,’ said Dr Chan. ‘It was difficult (9) ______ give up junk food
altogether, but he kept trying. Following the diet plan, he lost more than 30 kilograms.
Now, he’s happier and healthier.’

Recently Dr Chan’s clinic has started to organise fitness camps in Sai Kung, where teens
take part in fun activities like kayaking and rock climbing. There are also classes to help
campers feel better about themselves.

Dr Chan treats his patients (10) ______ they are his own children. ‘I want my patients to
enjoy being teenagers,’ he said. ‘It’s very important (11) ______ them develop healthy
lifestyles. (12) ______ that those who have problems seek help as soon as they’re aware of
them. (13) ______ them ruin your life.’
1 A estimating that 2 A have been helped 3 A had left
B it being estimated B have been helping B will leave
C it estimates that C have helped C would have left
D it is estimated that D were being helped D would leave

4 A didn’t tell 5 A also he 6 A As soon as

B hadn’t told B also he but B As though
C hasn’t told C but he also C Even though
D won’t have told D he but also D In order that

7 A has to be done 8 A better 9 A for Jimmy

B had to be done B the better B for Jimmy to
C must be doing C the best C of Jimmy to
D should do D without a doubt D that Jimmy

10 A as soon as 11 A for helping 12 A Given the above

B as though B of helping B I have no doubt
C even though C that helps C I highly recommend
D so that D to help D It is about time

13 A Don’t let
B Let’s
C Not let
D Why not let

END OF PAPER