The 2013 HKDSE English Paper 3 (Listening and Integrated Skills) featured themes centered on Hong Kong International Airport for Part A and travel-related media for Part B. Part A: Listening Tasks
Student: Got it. Thanks, Michelle.
- Understand and interpret spoken English
- Identify and extract specific information
- Engage in conversation and express opinions
- Use correct pronunciation, intonation, and grammar
The DSE English Paper 3 recording is a listening and speaking test that assesses students' ability to comprehend and respond to spoken English in a variety of contexts. The test consists of two parts: a listening comprehension section and a speaking section. The listening comprehension section requires students to listen to a series of audio recordings and answer questions based on the content, while the speaking section requires students to engage in a conversation with an examiner.
Hi everyone,
- Understand the task: Read/listen to prompts carefully; identify required bullet points and role constraints.
- Plan quickly: Use the preparation time to outline 2–3 main points with supporting examples for each bullet.
- Develop ideas: For each point, give reason, example, and brief consequence/solution (RECS: Reason, Example, Consequence, Solution).
- Use discourse markers: Signal structure and contrasts: “Firstly/Secondly”, “On the other hand”, “In addition”, “Therefore”.
- Manage interaction: Initiate, invite response, paraphrase partner’s points, and use clarification phrases (“Do you mean…?”, “Could you explain…?”).
- Work on fluency: Practice speaking at a steady pace; reduce fillers (“um”, “like”) by practicing planned pauses.
- Expand vocabulary: Learn topic-related lexical sets (environmental terms, negotiation verbs, persuasion phrases) and synonyms to avoid repetition.
- Pronunciation and intelligibility: Practice stress and intonation patterns; record and review to spot unclear segments.
- Mock practice: Do timed paired and individual recordings with peers or teachers; focus on developing and responding rather than memorizing scripts.
- Time management: Allocate time across bullet points; avoid over-developing one point at the expense of others.
The Context: What was the 2013 Paper 3 about?
The theme revolved around "Healthy Eating and the School Canteen." While that sounds boring, the examiners used a specific trick: Role switching.
- The HKEAA Store – You can purchase past papers (including the CD/DVD) directly from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. This is the only legal source for the official audio.
- School Libraries – Many secondary schools keep a set of past paper CDs in their library or resource centre. Ask your English teacher.
- Tutorial Centres – If you attend a cram school (e.g., King’s, Beacon, Modern), they often have licensed copies for their students.