HKDSE Chinese Paper 2 Writing Practice Paper with Rubric | 3 tasks, 90 minutes, 100 marks

HKDSE Chinese Paper 2 writing practice paper: choose 1 of 3 tasks (narrative, argumentative, and a data-based letter proposal), 90 minutes, 100 marks, with a rubric, task guidance, common losses and model paragraphs. Printable.

Part A — Narrative and lyrical writing (Question 1)

Marking notes

Reading the task　The key phrase is “never sent”: the weight lies in what was left unsaid, not in the letters as objects. The tin is only a trigger — one or two lines of discovery are enough.

Theme　Move from “I dared not say it” or “it was too late” to an understanding that affection has to be expressed; lift a personal incident into a wider insight rather than ending at regret.

Material　Concentrate on one or two incidents with concrete detail — the texture of the paper, a salutation written and crossed out, a stamp bought but never stuck. Detail carries the feeling.

Structure　Discovery, recollection, realisation, action. The ending may return to the object, but avoid a forced happy resolution; restraint is more convincing.

Expression　Alternate narration with reflection; let action and setting carry the emotion instead of flat adjectives.

Common losses　Plot without reflection, three paragraphs of vague comment, too short, changing the title, unstable tense or person.

Part B — Argumentative writing (Question 2)

Marking notes

Stance　State a clear position early — oppose, support with conditions, or propose a compromise — and keep it consistent. Do not drift into a list of pros and cons.

Layers of argument　At least three layers: the library as free, quiet, equal space; the irreplaceable nature of print for deep reading; and the possibility of zoning instead of replacement.

Counter-argument　Answer the claim that falling loans justify handing over the space: visits rose 21%, so demand for the space persists even as its use changes.

Evidence　Do arithmetic on the data and note its limits — loans are not reading; e-resource growth may reflect convenience rather than replacement. 4,800 loans falling 38% is about 2,976, i.e. 1,824 fewer.

Expression　Give each paragraph a topic sentence; keep the tone measured, avoid slogan-like parallelism, and signal rebuttal with “Some argue that … however”.

Common losses　A vague stance, bullet points without argument, misreading the data, drifting into reading habits in general, or too short an answer.

Part C — Explanatory writing with a proposal (Question 3)

Marking notes

Format　Salutation, body, sign-off with role and name, and date. Keep the self-reference consistent.

Explain with figures　Convert 45 kg into 8,550 kg a year (8.55 tonnes), 37.5 g per student per day, and set it against the city’s 3,600 tonnes of food waste.

Analyse causes　At least two, explained: fixed portions with no choice; a short lunch break; and no measurement or incentive, so nobody knows how much is wasted.

Proposals　Each proposal must say who acts, when, and how it is measured — smaller first servings with seconds, weekly class weighing, food-waste bins staffed by eco-ambassadors.

Expected effect　Using the 30% cut: 45 kg falls to 31.5 kg a day; 8,550 kg to 5,985 kg a year, i.e. 2,565 kg (5.99 tonnes) saved, equal to 17,100 lunch boxes of 150 g; bin use rises 36 points to 48%.

Common losses　Slogans without figures, vague proposals such as “more education”, missing format, treating the neighbouring school’s results as our own, or a letter with no analysis.

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A TutorZone practice paper; original tasks, not HKEAA, school or publisher material. The rubric is this paper’s own.