2001 Q.1[2490]

No more bullying at school

In today’s Hong Kong society, bullying at school is not an uncommon problem. Basically, there are three types of bullying, namely verbal bullying, physical bullying and exclusion bullying. No matter what kind of bullying it is, it usually involves stronger, older students picking on weaker, younger students. The problem is so rampant and serious that a video clip showing five to six boys beating one boy was even circulated via the Internet, which drew lots of attention from the general public. We should not turn a blind eye to the problem. Instead, we should try every means to help solve it.

The practice of school bullying can induce harm on the bullied, as well as society as a whole, making it a substantial and detrimental problem. The bullied are beyond doubt the group which suffers most as they are hurt not only physically, but also mentally. They may get injured when being beaten up by the bullies and in some extreme case, they have to be admitted to the hospital. What makes things worse is that the victims may feel that they are picked on because they are inferior; thus, setting them up to have a low self-image. They may also lose faith in other people and start to lock themselves up, which will badly affect their social life and psychological growth in the future. Apart from that, the harmony of the territory will be destroyed by the unscrupulous practice and therefore, it is vital for us to adopt ways to deal with the problem before it is too late.

Education is surely the key to solve the problem. The prevalence of bullying stems from the ignorance and the lack of knowledge of the general public. Hence, the government should deliver the message through the media that bullying is one hundred percent not accepted by society and the practice can cause long-term harm on both the bullied and society, so that public awareness can be raised. Added to this is that schools should hold some talks which will include some police officers who can then tell the students that physical bullying can be a sin. This should be persuasive enough to deter students from committing it. The types of bullying and the serious consequences of the practice should also be included in the content of the talk and thus, students may realize the existing cases around them and hopefully, they will report the cases or stop such practice from happening again. Putting more concentration on educating students should be a very rewarding way to deal with the problem.

It is imperative that the victims of the bullying cases take a step to fight the problem. Never should the victim hide the problem. Remember, it is the bullies who are in the wrong and should the bullied keep silent, no one can offer help to them and then, they can never have the nightmare finished. Therefore, they should inform the teachers, parents or even friends of the difficult situation they are facing. By doing this, they can not only relieve their mental burden, but also try to get help from others and hopefully, the bullies will be punished or social workers will be sent to help them. A better approach the bullied can adopt is to tell the bullies how badly they feel and ask the bullies to stop the practice. Yet, this should be done under safe circumstances, such as in the presence of teachers. The point to do this is that some bullies may not know what they are doing is hurting others and thus, they can be awakened and will try to control their behaviour.

Besides, teachers, parents, as well as other students should take the initiative to help solve the problem. In the video clip of the bullying case mentioned before, it is very surprising and heartbreaking to see that some students witnessed the entire process without reporting it to the teachers, but stood to watch and laughed as if they were watching a show. Indeed, the witnesses should, and they are obliged to, report the case to their teachers immediately; otherwise, catastrophic consequences may be resulted. Apart from that, teachers should always keep an eye on what is happening in class and parents should be more concerned about their children’s school life. Whenever they discover signs of bullying, they should take the initiative to look into the matter. I am sure many cases can be prevented or solved by this approach.

Bullying at school is such a serious problem that we should adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards it. Only by the mutual efforts made by different parties of society, no matter the government, schools, parents or the bullied themselves, can the problem be efficiently alleviated and hopefully, school bullying will be eradicated at its root at last. So, let’s act hand in hand and create the most harmonious atmosphere at school ever!

Comment: Good job: All the sentences are fluent and your ideas are fully developed.

04 Q1 [2433]

Dear Principal,

I am writing to propose an idea on how the donation can be used on behalf of the Student Association. A lot of opinions from students were collected. We have done a summary of the opinion and find out that most students think it is better to have a NET than a MMLC.

It is undeniable that choosing MMLC has long-term advantages to the school. Once it is built, all of us, including those who know English well and those who do not, can have a chance to use it. The self-learning software installed in the computers can help students of different levels to learn without a teacher. Also, if the software is out-dated, it is easy and inexpensive to change all of them. Then all the students can use it for a few more years, which is much longer that the time a NET can stay in our school.

However, most of us thought that the communication between students and teachers is much more important in learning. Daily communication can improve our English much easier than doing exercises. Having a NET, according to most students, can enhance their oral skills. Whenever we need to talk to the NET, we need to use English. This is one of the effective and interactive ways to improve our English, which is something that a computer in MMLC cannot help. Since some people may think that we have already had a NET, so there are enough chances for us to practice our oral English. However, our NET has taken up all English oral classes, which is certainly a heavy workload. There are not many opportunities for us to talk to him. He can hardly squeeze some time from his tight schedule to pay attention to those who are not good at and interested in English. We think it is suitable to have one more NET to improve our oral English standard.

Not only a NET is so desperately needed, the efficiency of MMLC is questioned. We noticed that some students were playing online games instead of learning in MMLC. Granted that a lot of self-learning materials can be used just by one click, many students cannot resist the temptation of computer games. They cannot restrain themselves from being a wartime soldiers or a space explorer. The original meaning of MMLC is nowhere to be seen. In contrast, like what I have summarized before, we think that English is everywhere when a NET is here. We can still learn English even when we are discussing which game is better with the NET. So we agree that one more NET can bring much more improvement than one more MMLC.

While some people may worry that hiring a NET for 2 years is not enough to improve everyone’s English, most students are optimistic. They thought the English environment that would be developed by the NET could enhance the motivation of learning English. Also, most students suggest the Student Association to help the NET to organize an English Ambassador Scheme. Higher form students can therefore help lower form students to develop an interest in English. Two years time is enough for us to work together and have a good progress if we have a NET devoting his time to help us.

In conclusion, we think it is better to spend the donation on hiring one more NET so that more chances of learning interactively can be created. This is not something a MMLC can do. I hope that you would consider our opinion and let us know your final decision.

Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong
The Chairperson of the Student Association

Comment: Your recommendation is revealed through a gradual and well-considered development. Because of this, the organization is smooth and logical.

June’s topic Q.14 [2389]

I believe that the topic about love affairs among students is not strange to all of us. For many decades, people still cannot make a conclusion to this controversial issue that whether it is right to fall in love with others when studying. In recent years, another similar issue arises: Is it right or acceptable for students to have love affairs with teachers? Some say that it’s a harmful relationship, and it will even worsen the moral principles in society while some insist that it is equally acceptable as love affairs among students, and it’s not harmful either. In my point of view, I strongly agree with the saying that love affairs between teachers and students are harmful. It is different from the issue of students’ love affairs as they suffer much more than them.

The reason for why student and teacher’s love affairs differ from the love among students is that it is much easier for them to break up. I can say that their relationship is fragile since they have lots of hindrance to encounter. Not only do they coming from different backgrounds, they also have to adapt to each other’s living styles. As we know, the daily lives of teachers are largely different from those of the students’. For instance, for the teachers, the end of the school lessons doesn’t mean the end of their working. Moreover, the couples may soon realize that they have big gap in ideological thinking. Being a teacher, he ought to be mature, and know clearly what is right or wrong. However, these contradict the characteristic of the teenagers’, which are rebellious, impassioned and impulsive. Thus, quarrel is just the matter of time, and they will end up in breaking up. If we all know the result clearly, why don’t we stop this harmful relationship first?

The love affairs between teachers and students do not only hurt both of them eventually, the students also have to endure lots of adverse effects, and it is actually very cruel to them, as youngsters. Because of falling in love with a mentally and physically elder person, the youngsters may be eager to transform themselves into a maturer person. Therefore, they may force themselves to behave, talk and even think like an adult in order to match with their lovers. As a result, they may lose the uniqueness of being teenagers, like being courageous, enthusiastic, and native. What’s more, in some cases, some may even alienate their friends and classmate to show that they are different from the same-age teenagers. But, not after the breaking up will they realize the painful effects the love affairs bring.

It is true that the couples may be under great stress as they have to endure lots of rumors spread among teachers, students and even their families. As we know, love affairs among teachers and students are not commendable by the traditional Confucianism, which suggests that they should treat each other with manners. Thus, for thousand of years, our Confucian-based society has regarded their love affairs as a taboo, and this tradition still remains in today’s Hong Kong. It is not so hard to imagine that both of them may be despised and snorted by others. It means that they may severely suffer from mental stress, and thus affects their study and work. After all, their pains resulted from others’ oppositions and disapprovals may overweigh the joys and sweetness brought by love.

Even though I believe that whether falling in love with teachers is harmful or not depends on person, to a very large extent it may bring enormous sufferings to both the teachers and students. Thus, it is better to stop this relationship now, rather than face much unendurable problems in the future.

Comment: Your essay displays great critical thinking skills.

The value of festivals [2034]

Some critics say that traditional and religious festivals such as the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and Christmas no longer have any real value. They say that these festivals are now just an excuse for people to eat too much food and spend money. Do you agree with this opinion?

Write an article for your school magazine expressing either your agreement or disagreement with this opinion. Give at least three reasons to support your ideas.

Death of real festivals

Traditional and religious festivals used to remind people of the meaning and history of the past. Since time memorial, whether in the West or the East, these festivals bring joy to everybody. Although modern people still keep celebrating various festivals, it seems that the value of these festivals is deteriorating year by year. This essay attempts to give reasons why, in my opinion, traditional festivals are losing their value.

It is a common misnomer to tag religious festivals as the time to take a break and enjoy oneself. Take Christmas for example. There is no doubt that Christmas reminds people of exchanging presents, going shopping and having meals. Merchandisers see it as the opportunity to introduce limited-edition products, ranging from cosmetics, electronic gadgets to toys and clothing. In fact, these are only by-products of Christmas. Yet not many people think of Jesus Christ when they are lured into shops because of hedonistism of 21st century citizens. I believe the social norm will not fade away as time goes by. On the contrary, it may become more serious. Sooner or later, traditional and religious occasions will be taken over by the business emperor. It is simply a complete reversal of the meaning of festivals.

If one suggests that people misunderstand the point behind celebrating festivals, I will say that people are abusing festivals. After celebration, it is not surprising to see what a multitude of rubbish and damages that have been produced. Cynical youngsters often paint graffiti on public walls. The most “popular” place is the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Vandalism is especially significant during special occasions like the Lunar New Year. Not only do teenagers abuse those festivals, adults do as well. I think everyone should know how much extra garbage is dumped on the roads after celebrating traditional festivals. Doesn’t it play havoc with moral values taught by all traditional and religious festivals?

One may argue that there are still people who appreciate the value behind these festivals. However, it is a matter of fact that there are an enormous number of people who are totally clueless. Even though they are told about the background of different festivals every year, they couldn’t care less. All they care about is the extra days-off gained from these festivals. That’s why a lot of people visit travel agencies to plan a trip to other countries. How about the festivals celebrated in their homeland? Well, it is not of their concern. Respecting culture is just of their lip service. What if no holidays are offered during Easter, Christmas or New Year? I am sure everybody will forget about the festivals because they wouldn’t spend their “precious” time on these “meaningless” traditions.

Modern people are witnessing the turn of the tide. Surely some old ideas are out-of-date and worth eradication. Yet some invaluable ideas are being left behind. We should all take traditional and religious festivals seriously once again and preserve them in a less commercial way in the foreseeable future.

Comment: Your essay is full of forceful points (your arguments about commercialism and vandalism are particularly impressive) and your good language skill helps develop them to the fullest.

Essay on banning smoking [2035]

Since many people believe that second-hand smoke is harmful to the health, your teacher has asked you to write an essay entitled ‘Legislation should not be introduced to ban smoking in all restaurants’. Write the essay, developing 2 or 3 good arguments that strongly support the statement.

Legislation should not be introduced to ban smoking in all restaurants

In order to protect the public from the health hazards of passive smoke, the government has proposed to ban smoking in all restaurants in Hong Kong. While many non-smoking restaurant goers applaud the proposal, restaurant owners are worried about the detrimental effect brought by a total ban. The proposal for introducing legislation to ban smoking in all restaurants has aroused wide public concern.

From my point of view, the legislation of ban on smoking in all restaurants is totally unnecessary and undesirable. Since a total ban may deal a severe blow to their business. The representatives of the catering industry point out that they will gain less money if the government enacts such a law. Some restaurant owners complain that the law will drive away their customers. Some people, however, do not think so. They rebut that surveys have shown 70% of the Hong Kong citizens supported all seats being non-smoking. It seems that public opinion calls for more smoke-free restaurants. They also claim that business in restaurants would indeed prosper rather than suffer if they were made smoke-free. Then, we may ask a question: Why so many restaurant owners do not turn their restaurants to smoke-free ones even thought the majority of the restaurant goers seem to prefer smoke-fee restaurants? Who would deny that making profit is the most concerned issue for businessmen? If smoke-free restaurants could really attract more customers, it was supposed that businessmen had made their restaurants be non-smoking ones. But why they do not do that? The answer is very simple. Being laymen of the catering business, people should not rashly assert that business in restaurants would prosper rather than suffer after they were made smoke-free. Then, someone may cast a doubt that why some restaurants, such as McDonald’s or Pizza Hut, has been made smoke-free and can still make high profit? It is simply because this type of restaurants is in chain-store operation. Their free cash flow is much larger than that of other small-scale restaurants like tea restaurants. Therefore, small-scale restaurants need to take much higher financial risk if they are going to be made smoke-free. They need to face many uncertainties. Who is willing to shoulder the blame for their dropping profit due to the legislation of the total ban on smoking?

It goes without saying that lung cancer and other respiratory diseases have been repeatedly proved to be strongly associated with passive smoking. I absolutely agree to this. Smoking in indoor places is like forcing others to breathe in second-hand cigarette smoke. It seems that it is unfair and inconsiderate. Admittedly, our health is so invaluable that it should be put before any financial gains. But let us not forget that no one forces you to go to the restaurant which is filled with second-hand smoke. Then, some would maintain that smoking has already been banned on all kinds of public transport but why don’t apply the same rule to all restaurants? And they may even refute that it is not necessary to ban smoking on public transport as well because of the above reason that no one forces you to travel with the transport which is filled with second-hand smoke. However, this is a misconception. What people fail to see is that public transport like MTR operator is not in a free-market structure. It is railway franchisee that faces limited competition. If people are allowed to smoke in train compartments, many passengers who dislike second-hand smoke still have to ride on the railway because they have no alternative public transport options. But if a restaurant is filled with second-hand cigarette smoke, people can choose to eat somewhere else or choose to have takeaway or even choose not to eat out. Seen in this light, the total ban of smoking on public transport is necessary but it should not be applicable to restaurants.

I would also like to point out that while people have the right to choose to run a smoke-free restaurant, they should also have the right to choose to run a restaurant where smoking is allowed. Freedom is the word on everybody’s lips at present. However, we should bear in mind that one’s freedom should not sacrifice that of others. Perhaps one day some contend that loud TV or noisy ringing mobile phones or loud speaking in restaurants is annoying that causes people suffering from mental disorder. Then, does the government need to set up some regulations to prohibit them?

All in all, legislation should not be introduced to ban smoking in all restaurants. The restaurant owners should have the right to choose whether to run smoke-free restaurants or to run smoking-allowed restaurants. On the other hand, restaurant goers should respect restaurant owners’ choice.

Comment: Despite the fact that certain parts of your second argument may be open to criticism, you perform pretty well in tackling such a controversial topic.