Part A

Reading passages

DSE-ENG LANG 1-A-RP-1 (Mock Test 1) 1 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

 PART A
Read Text 1 and answer questions 1–26 on pages 1–4 of the Question-Answer Book for Part A.
Text 1

Fake food everywhere

The small family gathered together for dinner ‘We must be careful about what we eat,’ Adam
like they did every Sunday, talking about their concluded. ‘It’s up to us to take responsibility
day. The TV was on in the background, and make sure that our food is safe to eat.’
although no one paid any attention until the
5 newscaster started talking about the recent 35 The next Sunday, Adam ordered takeaway for
growing number of deaths. the family over the phone. Before putting in
his order, he asked about the food and safety
‘The number of deaths from food poisoning standards.
10 since the beginning of the year is now at a 40
shocking 428,’ the newscaster said. ‘Most ‘Nothing to worry about, sir,’ the girl at the
deaths have occurred because of food other end of the line assured him with her
contamination. A few incidents have also been sweet voice. ‘We have had no complaints and
caused by the consumption of fake food. The are not associated with the recent illnesses that
15 45
government has prosecuted 12 restaurants and are all over the news.’
fast food shops up till now…’
An hour later the doorbell rang, and the
‘How terrible!’ Karen said. ‘I feel that this is delivery boy handed over the food. Adam
20 becoming more and more common. What can 50 again brought up the scary food poisoning
we do?’ situation haunting the area. ‘Yes, people are
being very careful now, as fake food is almost
‘I know,’ responded Adam, her husband. ‘Fake everywhere,’ the delivery boy agreed. ‘A lot

25 food has been a growing problem over the last more people are ordering takeaways, and they
few years but people are only starting to pay 55 are not confident in spotting the fake from
attention now. Our food is not as safe or clean authentic foods. Here is your food, sir.’
as we think it is.’
‘Has the food come, Daddy?’ a voice shouted
30
‘And the availability is not as good either!’ from inside the house.
60
Rose added. ‘Remember last time we went to
the market, Mum? Finding certain types of ‘Yes, it has! Wash your hands, honey,’ Adam
seafood is no longer a certainty and even if we shouted back, and then to the boy, ‘Thanks!
find what we want, its size is a lot smaller than Here you go… and an extra dollar as a tip.’
what it used to be.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ The boy waved goodbye.
‘Bon appétit!’

DSE-ENG LANG 1-A-RP-2 (Mock Test 1) 2 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

 The family sat down to have their treat of the When the family got Adam back home, finally,
month. Adam had ordered from a restaurant they turned on the TV immediately. The
that had a good reputation for the quality of channel was showing a news clip made several
their seafood. In addition to fish, squid and years ago. ‘A large sperm whale died earlier
seaweed, they had also ordered an expensive today. In him, around 22 pounds of plastic was
jellyfish dish which they all enjoyed. found where food should have been…’
95
After dinner, Adam suddenly turned pale and ‘Of course, how could I have forgotten Ben!’
started shivering. He sat down, holding his Karen exclaimed. ‘He was a very promising
65 stomach. Every time he tried to get up, he felt worker of ours. His sudden death shocked us
too dizzy and nauseous, and had to sit down 100 all, remember, Adam? We had a day off work
again. Karen and Rose did not feel as bad, but because of this … I hope somebody is doing
they both felt shaky and a little disoriented. something about the situation…’
70
Before she passed out, Karen called for the
ambulance. ‘Here is some good news from the human
105
world. On 1 April in Hong Kong, the full
Due to so many similar cases before, the plastic shopping bag levy started,’ the
75 nurses knew exactly what was happening when newscaster continued. ‘Everyone will have to
they saw the family. Karen and Rose quickly 110 pay at least 50 cents for one plastic bag. The
had their stomachs pumped, slept overnight, government hopes people will produce less
and were allowed to go home. However, Adam waste as a result, and less marine life will be
was in much worse shape. The doctor advised killed because of the plastic being thrown
80 him to stay in the hospital for another day. away…’
115

‘But what was it?’ Karen asked the nurse when ‘At least that is good news,’ said Rose. ‘Poor
she was coming over to check Adam’s vitals. Uncle Ben may be gone, but with humans
85
starting to pay attention, there may be hope for
‘Fake food,’ the nurse replied briskly. ‘We the rest of us. Hopefully we will never have
found a lot of plastic in his system. I suppose 120 this sort of health scare again!’

you ate jellyfish the night before? We have had

90 a lot of cases like this these past few months. Thinking about the ‘jellyfish’ and other
Haven’t you heard the news? Some restaurants ‘seafood’ they had had not long ago, Karen
substitute plastic for jellyfish in order to cut shivered.
costs. We surely need to be more careful about
what we put in our mouths.’ ‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘We turtles and all marine
life surely need to stick together and get the
Karen did not know how to react. How could it message out that we are under attack from too
be? It was an expensive and supposedly much plastic in the sea.’
reliable takeaway restaurant!

DSE-ENG LANG 1-A-RP-3 (Mock Test 1) 3 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

 END OF READING PASSAGE

DSE-ENG LANG 1-A-RP-4 (Mock Test 1) 4 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

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DSE-ENG LANG 1-A-RP-5 (Mock Test 1) 5 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

Part B1
Reading passages

DSE-ENG LANG 1-B1-RP-1 (Mock Test 1) 6 © 2005 ATHENS EDUCATION

 PART B1
Read Text 2 and answer questions 27–41 on pages 1–2 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B1.

Text 2

Hong Kong’s airport and its people deserve a third runway

[1] Every year Hong Kong and Singapore

compete for their airports to be judged the best [3] It is the right decision for many
in the world, and for good reasons. Hong Kong reasons. One of the main reasons is that
International Airport (HKIA) is clean and another runway will keep Hong Kong in the
5 efficient, has an IMAX theatre, many duty-free 35 lead of airport competition. Hong Kong is also
shopping options and is a prime location for in an ideal location as a gateway to mainland
flying to mainland China and many other China, Eastern and Central Asia, and even
Asian, South Pacific and Middle Eastern Europe. The runway is needed to maintain
10 destinations. Currently, HKIA has two 40 Hong Kong’s status as an innovator and leader
runways. However, many believe that a third for travellers and airlines alike.
runway will help Hong Kong in many ways,
and in March 2015, the Executive Council [4] Many questions need to be addressed
15
approved the construction of a third runway. 45 to ensure the safe construction of this runway.
This extra space will surely add to the nearly While the airport enforces strict noise pollution
300 retail stores, and increase the number of rules, there is still the question of how having
airlines and destinations currently served by an additional runway will affect the air quality.
20 HKIA, which currently stands at 100 airlines 50 However, the runway will ‘encourage direct
and over 180 destinations, 45 of which are in landing instead of a gradual descent, cutting
mainland China. emissions by 15 per cent,’ according to
Professor Alan Lau Kin-tak, Associate Dean of
25 [2] The third runway will help better serve the Faculty of Engineering at PolyU.
the steadily increasing number of visitors to 55 Additionally, having the runway in Hong Kong
Hong Kong. In 2012, over 56 million people rather than Macau or Guangzhou means that
came through HKIA. In 2013, this number Hong Kong can keep a closer eye on
30 increased to nearly 60 million; and in 2014, it environmental impact.
was over 63 million. With the new runway, the
airport will be able to accommodate up to 102 [5] Undoubtedly, this runway is a
million travellers. The general public agrees necessity to keep Hong Kong ahead of the
with the idea of a new runway. Before the competition, to bring in many new tourists
government approved the third runway, a annually, and to bring in additional revenue in
public opinion poll was taken and 73% the future.
supported building another runway.

DSE-ENG LANG 1-B1-RP-2 (Mock Test 1) 7 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

 Read Text 3 and answer questions 42–56 on pages 3–4 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B1.

Text 3

[1] After hearing so many positive cannot make the sky bigger. Our airspace is
comments on the construction of the third already crowded, and adding more flights will
runway at HKIA, I thought I would show the add delays. Take Guangzhou’s airport as an
other side of the situation and question what example. They added a new runway in
others seem to ignore. While I don’t disagree February this year, but the final numbers aren’t
5 that the expansion will help employ local 40 impressive. They have only been able to add
people, push Hong Kong into first place 10 new flights a day because the Pearl River
against other airport competition, especially Delta’s airspace is too crowded. The third
with Singapore building a fifth runway, and runway is built to accommodate up to 30
bring in a lot of tourists and money, I fear we million more travellers, but will we be able to
10 are not asking the right questions and won’t 45 give them all the flights they need with the sky
until it’s too late. already so full? We do not yet know if China
will let us use their airspace. Without extra
[2] First is the question of the airspace, the expansion plan will fall apart.
environment. One of our local and beloved How can we move forward with a plan without
animals is the Chinese white dolphin, which 50 all the answers?
15 has been in danger from land reclamation and
increased boat traffic in recent years, and this [4] Finally, there is the price. The project
new construction will only serve to harm them. will cost HK$141.5 billion, financed partly
The underwater drilling needed to reclaim land through airport fees. Hong Kong’s current fees
releases toxic gases, badly affecting not just are very low, and raising them will only raise
20 the dolphins but all of Hong Kong’s sea life. 55 people’s anger because this means that
And it’s not just the animals either ― if the everyone buying a ticket, whether they live in
animals get sick or move on to cleaner waters, Hong Kong or not, has to contribute to the
what will happen to locals who fish for a airport runway bill. Many foreigners may not
living? If this is not a big enough problem, feel this is right and choose to fly somewhere
25 think of it in terms of money: the negative 60 else.
effect on the fishing industry will cost around
HK$48 million. This new runway could [5] I understand the need for a new
potentially hurt a large group, from the runway, but we as a society need to look after
significant number working in Hong Kong every cent and make sure it is going where it
30 fisheries down to the smallest animal trying to should be going. We need to check that the
survive in polluted waters. 65 fishermen, the dolphins and the community at
large will at least not be negatively affected by
[3] Let’s look at the situation from another this, and at best benefit from the new runway.
angle: airspace. We may be able to reclaim
land and make the airport bigger, but we
35

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DSE-ENG LANG 1-B1-RP-3 (Mock Test 1) 8 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

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Part B2
Reading Passages

DSE-ENG LANG 1-B2-RP-1 (Mock Test 1) 10 © 2005 ATHENS EDUCATION

 PART B2
Read Text 4 and answer questions 57–77 on pages 1–4 of the Question-Answer Book for Part B2.
Text 4
Lee Kuan Yew’s Singaporean Legacy

[1] Today, Singapore is known for being his children, helping it grow and become
safe, prosperous and stable. The tiny city-state successful under his supervision. From the
has attracted powerful businesses from all around beginning, Lee had a strong vision of what
the world and has established itself as an Singapore could become. Being a pragmatist, he
5
45
economic powerhouse. This is despite the fact focused only on the practical aspects of running
that Singapore has almost no natural resources. the city-state and on the success or failure of any
The Singapore we know today is all thanks to given situation.
10 one man: Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding 50 [5] Lee’s vision can be described as one
father and first Prime Minister.
focused on security, law and order. Today,
[2] Lee, a fourth-generation Singaporean, everyone knows that Singapore has strict laws

15 was born on 16 September 1923. His first 55 and rules, such as no chewing gum or being fined
language was English. Later in his life, Lee for not flushing the toilet. People may make
admitted that his father had a terrible temper and jokes about these rules, but they may not realize
it affected his family badly. As a child, Lee learnt that these are just a small part of the bigger
20 to control his temper, something that served him 60 vision of security. Lee’s idea of putting needs of
well throughout his political career. Lee’s ability the group before the needs of the individual
to work hard also started when he was young. directly opposes some Western democracies, like
With a lot of effort, he beat his classmates for a the United States. Lee’s vision ― to make
25 65
scholarship to Raffles College. Singapore the best it could be ― was one he
achieved, making Lee a unique figure in politics.
[3] His education was interrupted by the
With this vision, Lee could and did change
Japanese occupation of Singapore during the
everything about Singapore.
30 Second World War, from 1942–1945, during 70
which he learnt Japanese and worked as a [6] Just walking around Singapore, it is
Japanese translator. He continued learning possible to see Lee’s vision in action:
afterwards. He went to England to study and Government housing is everywhere; there is
35 75
became a lawyer, and at the age of 32, he learnt efficient and clean public transportation, wide
Chinese. tree-lined streets, and good medical care is
available to all. Lee is credited with helping start
[4] Lee served as Prime Minister from
40 80 the Asian economic miracle and although
1959–1990, and then continued working in
Singapore is the smallest and least populated of
government as a Senior Minister and Minister
the four Asian dragons (along with Hong Kong,
Mentor until 2011. When he first got into
Taiwan and South Korea), it has had the biggest
politics, Singapore was poor, had very few health
impact in drawing foreign investors and showing
and safety standards, and crime was a big
the world what Asia has to offer.
problem. Lee treated Singapore as another one of

DSE-ENG LANG 1-B2-RP-2 (Mock Test 1) 11 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

[7] Lee has had an undeniable impact on
Singapore, Asia and the world at large. He has
advised every US president since President
Nixon in 1969 and every Chinese leader since
Deng Xiaoping in the 1970s, whom he advised
when China began to open up in the 1980s. With
such a career, it is unsurprising that many came
out to give their thought on the leader when he
died on 3 March of this year. US President
Obama called him a ‘giant of history’ and Prime
Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, despite the
two countries’ complicated relationship,
complimented Lee’s ability to develop a new
nation so impressively from birth.

DSE-ENG LANG 1-B2-RP-2 (Mock Test 1) 12 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION

 [8] Many Singaporean citizens were equally and speaking out against the government were all
complimentary. At a memorial that was just as illegal. Even so, today Pinochet still has many
125
organized as Singapore itself, Mr Gupta, a admirers and supporters mainly because he was
85 Singaporean citizen, mentioned that while many responsible for Chile’s impressive economic
foreigners criticize the ‘nanny state’, where the growth. While Chile’s situation was more serious
government takes care of its citizens from the and horrifying, there are some similarities
130
cradle to the grave, it is nice to have a system between Chile and Singapore. Many will forgive
90 that truly takes care of its people. Mrs Chen, human rights violations for economic miracles;
another at his memorial, said, ‘I feel young and people will find a way to highlight the good
people today may not realize what he has done even when it is clear that the leader did not
for us, so we need to make sure that his memory 135 support free speech.
remains alive.’
95 [11] Lee’s influence on the world will be
[9] Although many made sure to seen for years to come. He made logical
compliment Lee’s memory, others are making decisions that he felt would best impact
140
sure that we don’t forget Lee’s darker actions. Singapore as a whole. The government helps its
100 While building up Singapore’s infrastructure and people with housing, food, medical care and
economy, Lee took extra effort to shut down more. Although autocratic with total power, he
political opposition. Mass demonstrations, like generously shared the wealth with the people and
145
Occupy Central in Hong Kong, are not allowed helped bring them from the third world to the
105 in Singapore, and members of the press who first. His son is the current and third prime
speak out against the government are often jailed minister of Singapore, which raises some
without trial. Political rivals often faced the same interesting questions. Lee helped educate
150
situation. While Lee provided Singapore with an generations of people and took care of them from
110 efficient government, safety and economic the beginning to the end of their lives. Now that
growth, this came at the price of opposing his son is in power over well-educated, tech-
opinions and the ability to publish these opinions savvy people, will Singapore change? Will
or put them on TV or the Internet. These kinds of people begin demanding free speech and the right
155
human rights are taken for granted in other parts to assemble in large numbers? Unlike in China,
115
of the world, for example in the US, where free Google and other websites are not banned in
speech is in the Constitution and mass protests Singapore, but like China, Singapore has taken
have led to huge changes for the rights of away basic human rights from people it says are
women, African-Americans and labour unions. 160 dangerous.
120
[10] In fact, Lee’s story of growth and [12] Lee was definitely a divisive person,
restriction is somewhat similar to that of Augusto with people either loving him or hating him.
Pinochet in Chile. Pinochet took power by force However, it is impossible to deny his impact on
from the Communist party in 1973, and was Singapore and world politics at large. Lee took
dictator of the country until 1990. He oversaw Singapore and transformed it from a British
the greatest economic growth Chile has ever colony to a first-world destination, and he will
seen, and helped Chilean families get out of remain the face of Singapore for a long time to
poverty. However, political protestors were jailed come.
or killed, and rock music, mass demonstrations

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4DSE-ENG LANG 1-B2-RP-4 (Mock Test 1) 14 © 2015 ATHENS EDUCATION