HSC 2023 Prelim Insert

Class: Index: Name: PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION (2023) SECONDARY FOUR NORMAL (ACADEMIC)/ NORMAL (TECHNICAL) (OOS) ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS A) Paper 2 Comprehension INSERT 1190 / 02 19 July 2023 1 hour 50 minutes 0800 to 0950 READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST This Insert contains Text 1, Text 2, Text 3 and Text 4. This document consists of 5 printed pages (including this Cover Page). [Turn over

2 Section A Study the advertisement (Text 1) and the extract from a blog (Text 2) and answer Questions 1–4 in the Question Paper. Text 1 is taken from an advertisement published in a local newspaper. Text 2 is taken from a blog which comments on healthy lifestyles. I love the fizzy taste of Coca Cola, and the way it tickles my taste buds. However, I know that it contains a lot of sugar, and so I try to pick the ‘Zero Sugar’ option. I also drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep myself well hydrated. In the mornings, I go for a jog, or yoga session to strength my body, and burn off the excess sugar I consume. This way, I am able to enjoy my Coca Cola indulgence, while staying healthy. I enjoy being able to have the best of both worlds!

3 Section B Text 3 The text below is about a man who discovers the meaning of life in a little teahouse in Hong Kong. Read the text carefully and answer Questions 5–14 in the Question Paper. 1 In the bustling city of Hong Kong, amidst the swirling crowds and towering skyscrapers, the humble tea merchant, Li Wei sat in his little teahouse, a sanctuary for those seeking respite from the chaos of the city. Li Wei was known throughout the city for his skill in selecting the finest teas and creating blends that delighted the senses. 2 Li Wei had a deep respect for the traditions of tea, passed down through generations. He believed that each cup of tea held a story, waiting to be discovered. Every morning, he would meticulously handpick the leaves, plucked with precision and nurtured by nature, and attentively cultivate his distinct concoctions. 5 3 One day, a traveller from a distant land stumbled upon Li Wei's teahouse, captivated by the aroma that wafted from within and the quaint, timber-framed facade. Intrigued, he stepped inside, his eyes widening with wonder at the sight of the shelves lined with delicate teapots and colourful canisters. 10 4 Li Wei greeted him warmly and invited him to sit at a small table adorned with a porcelain teapot. As Li Wei prepared the tea, he shared stories of the origins of each blend, the mountains they came from, and the hands that had nurtured them. With each sip, the traveller was transported to a different time and place. He savoured the misty mornings of the Fujian mountains, the floral sweetness of the Darjeeling hills, and the earthy richness of the Yunnan province. The intricate layers of delicate flavours danced upon his tongue. Each cup was a journey, an escape from the world outside as time seemed to slow. 15 20 5 As the afternoon sun bathed the shop in a warm glow, Li Wei noticed a pensive look on the traveller's face. Sensing his preoccupation, Li Wei asked, "What troubles you, my friend?" The traveller paused for a moment, then spoke softly, "I have travelled far and wide, searching for me aning and purpose. I have seen great wonders, yet my heart yearns for something more." 25 6 Li Wei smiled knowingly. "Sometimes, the answers we seek are hidden in the simplest of things," he replied. "In the gentle art of making tea, we find patience, harmony, and a connection to the world around us." 7 The traveller pondered Li Wei's words as he sipped his final cup of tea. It was a delicate blend of green and white tea, reminiscent of spring blossoms. The flavours danced on his tongue, stirring something deep within him. The true journey he sought was not in the distant lands he had explored but in the depths of his own being. 30 [Turn over]