DSE English Language

Paper 4 (Speaking)
by Alex Chan


PartA
GroupDiscussion(Preparation:10minutes;discussion:8minutespergroupforfourcandidates)

Readthefollowingpassage.

StraightenUpOurBack

With teenagers spending much more time sitting in front of computers or watching TV,

poor sitting and standing posture is an everincreasing problem in a couple of years. With a

viewtothis,theHongKongChiropractors AssociationhaslaunchedtheStraightenUpHong

Kongprogramme.

The problem starts among students and the programme seeks to introduce training on

campus, to make students become more aware of the rise in back problems caused by the

internetage,evenadoptgoodposturehabits.Exercisesareveryusefulinpromotingbeneficial

body posture. Threeminute exercises are good for children because they strengthen their

spinesandthusimprovetheirposture.

However, some researchers remark that it is also important not to bully teenagers into

adopting a good posture, as it often leads to an overcontrol of muscles and other reserve

effects.Someexpertsthinkthekeyistoencourageswimming,dancingandsimplestretching

exercisesindailylives.

YourgroupwantstowritealettertotheeditorofHongKongPost.Discusswithyourgroupmateswhat
toincludeintheletterconcerningthepoorpostureamongstudentsinHongKong.Youmaywanttotalk
about:
z thereasonsleadingtothepoorpostureproblem
z whythepoorpostureproblemisespeciallyseriousamongteenagers
z howthisproblemcanbealleviated
z anythingelseyouthinkisimportant

AlexChan

PartB
IndividualResponse(oneminutepercandidate)

1. Doyouthinkyouusuallysitproperly?Why?
2. Whatisthemainreasoncontributingtobackproblems?
3. Haveyouexperiencedseriousbackpain?
4. Areschoolsresponsibleforthepoorpostureproblem?Why?
5. Shouldwespendlesstimesittinginfrontofcomputerstorelievebackpain?
6. Whatproblemsareledbypoorpostureotherthanbackpain?
7. Doyouthinkthereareseriousimpactscausedbypoorposture?
8. Howcanparentseffectivelyeducatethechildrenaboutgoodposture?
9. Doyouthinkcompulsoryexercisesshouldbecarriedoutduringassembly?
10. Howimportantdoyouthinkthephysicaleducationlessonshelppromotegoodposture?

AlexChan