Hong Kong students taking the English paper in university entrance exams on Friday were pleasantly surprised by relatable topics such as bubble tea and starting a YouTube channel.
But many candidates sitting the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam were caught off guard by the inclusion of two poems in the reading section for the first time.
About 53,000 students sat the reading and writing papers, while the listening test will be held on Saturday. More than 58,000 candidates are taking this year’s exams, up from 55,000 last year. The exams will end on May 5, with results due on July 15.
Despite the unexpected format, teachers said this year’s content remained manageable. The exam steered clear of niche topics, unlike in past years when pop culture icons and autobiographies featured more prominently.
Eleni Mak, a 17-year-old candidate from Good Hope School, felt that this year’s reading exam was easier than last year’s.
“They are straightforward and the topics are related to daily life,” she said.
