F.

1 Exam Sample Questions

Note: the types of questions and mark allocation would vary from term to term.

1. The School is planning to hold an exhibition to welcome visitors from our sister schools.
Choose TWO items and discuss what important information people can get from each
of them. (2 marks @)

(i) SPCC Class of 1975 Souvenir Book

(ii) Calligraphy by a former teacher, Mr. Wong

(iii) An article about the Extravaganza, the final event of the 90th Anniversary celebrations, in
The Red Bricks, No.2 (September 2006)

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Suggested Answers:
This open-ended question requires students to explain the historical significance and the
information they can tell from two of the items. Marks will be given to any acceptable answers.
e.g. Item (i) SPCC Class of 1975 Souvenir Book
- We could see in this Souvenir Book some class photos and the names of the graduates
of that year. The articles written by the students in the book can also reflect their school
life and feelings towards the school.
Item (ii) Calligraphy by a former teacher, Mr. Wong
- We could tell that Mr. Wong was a teacher of SPCC. His calligraphy was very
outstanding.
Item (iii) An article about the Extravaganza in The Red Bricks, No.2
- We could tell the school’s age and see in this article the events and activities in the he
Extravaganza, the final event of the 90th Anniversary celebrations. It lets us know more
about the students’ participation in this event and their comments.

2. Facts and Opinions

The following is a passage about the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Read it
carefully and put a “” into the correct box to show whether the statement is a fact or an
opinion. ( 1 mark @)

According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the government of the People’s Republic of
China recovered her rule over Hong Kong on 1st July 1997. It was a major event not only in
China but also the world. The British flag was lowered and her rule over Hong Kong came to an
end. By achieving a negotiated settlement of the Hong Kong question, the Chinese and British
Governments have provided the international community with an example of peaceful settlement
of historical issues between states.
Fact Opinion
st
a. Hong Kong was returned to China on 1 July 1997.
b. It was a major event not only in China but also the world.
c. The British rule over Hong Kong ended with the handover.
d. China and Britain had set a good example to the rest of the
world in settling problems peacefully.

Suggested Answers:
Fact Opinion
st
a. Hong Kong was returned to China on 1 July 1997. 
b. It was a major event not only in China but also the world. 
c. The British rule over Hong Kong ended with the handover. 
d. China and Britain had set a good example to the rest of the 
world in settling problems peacefully.

3. Chronology
Arrange the following groups of events in chronological order, beginning with the earliest.
Follow the example given. (1 mark @)
(i) Men drew pictures to keep records.
(ii) Men made paper and wrote on it.
(iii) Men used writing to keep records.

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Suggested Answers:

(i)  (iii)  (ii)

4. Time Sense (1 mark @)

a. A man was born in 32 B.C. and he died in A.D. 29. How long did he live?
b. A man was born in A.D.476. Which century was he born in?

Suggested Answers:
a. 61 years
b. 5th century A.D.

5. Timeline
Read the following events, which are in chronological order. In the space provided in the
answer book, draw a timeline to show the history of the Star Ferry. Use 1cm to represent 10
years. (6 marks)

1888 The earliest report of a ferry service appeared in a local newspaper dated 28th
December 1888: “Steam launch ‘Morning Star’ runs daily as a ferry boat between
Pedders Wharf and Tsim Sha Tsui…” In the same year, Governor Sir George William
des Voeux officiated at the inauguration of the Peak Tram, a funicular railway.
1890 Star Ferry Pier was built.
1904 The first tramcar appeared on the streets of Hong Kong.
1906 New design of ferry wharf after the destruction of two vessels caused by an almost
unexpected typhoon.
1926 An electrically powered system replaced the coal-fired steam boilers for running the
Peak Tram.
1942 Japanese invaded Hong Kong in 1941. Ferry service stopped in Hong Kong.
1986 Tram cabin was re-designed with a new look.
1989 The two newest additions, the 750-seat “Golden Star” and “World Star” could
accommodate two hundred more passengers than the traditional ferries and had an
air-conditioned upper deck cabin.
2000 “Millennium” new tram was categorized as the fifth generation tramcar.
2006 The fourth generation of Star Ferry Pier, modeling on the 1912 Edwardian-style Star
Ferry Pier, began to serve the public in November.

Suggested Answers:

A Timeline of the history of the Star Ferry

Star Ferry service
Ferry service stopped in
began
A new design of ferry Hong Kong Fourth generation of Star
wharf Ferry Pier was built

1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Star Ferry Pier Two newest additions

Scale
was built were introduced
1 cm to 10 years

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1 %: Title: A Timeline about the History of the Star Ferry
1%: Scale: 1 cm to 10 years (written in the corner)
3%: Correct measurement and relevant events (with simplified captions) about the history of the
Star Ferry (6 items – 1888, 1890, 1906, 1942, 1989, 2006)
1%: Tidiness and Clear presentation

6. Fill in the Blanks

Among the four major groups of early settlers in Hong Kong, the 1 occupied the
most fertile land in the plains of the New Territories whereas the 2 were boat
people.

Suggested Answers:
1. Puntis
2. Hoklos/Fuklos

7. Multiple Choices

1. Which of the following choices is NOT correct ?

Civilized people ____________________________ .
A. trade with money
B. hunt animals for food.
C. practise organized farming.
D. have an organized form of government.

Suggested Answers:
1. B

8. Classify the following sources by putting the letters representing them in the correct
column in the answer book. (8 marks)
a. St. John’s Cathedral in Hong Kong
b. Hieroglyphics (ancient Egyptian writing) on a roll of papyrus
c. A drawing of the Victoria Harbour in the 1850s by a SPCC student
d. A talk on “Qing China” by a historian in the 21st century
e. A photo of the Old City Hall
f. Wartime bombs dug up in Cheung Sha Wan
g. World History Express, the history textbook used by SPCC F.1 students
h. An interview with a villager in Sheung Cheung Wai about the life in a walled village

Primary Source Secondary Source

Written Non-written Written Non-written
Archaeological findings:
_______________________
Oral: ____________
___________ ___________
Oral: ___________________
Others: __________

Historical buildings:

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 _______________________

Others: _________________

Suggested Answers:

Primary Source Secondary Source

Written Non-written Written Non-written
Archaeological findings:
___________f____________

Oral: _______h____________
Oral: _____d_______
_____b______ _____g______
Historical buildings:
Others: ____c______
__________a_____________

Others: _______e__________

9. Correcting Errors (2 marks@)

There is one mistake in each question. Copy the whole question in your answer book. Underline
the wrong part and then write the correct version in its place.

The River Nile flows from the mountains in Upper Egypt into the Red Sea.

Suggested Answers:
The River Nile flows from the mountains in Upper Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea .

8. Civilized or Uncivilized? (2marks @

Put a  into the correct box to show whether the speaker is leading a civilized or uncivilized
life. Give ONE reason to support your answer.

Description Civilized Uncivilized Reason

life life
a. We went to the temple this morning to
pray. There has been no rain for a few
months already and we hope that our
God could feel mercy on us and save
us.

b. All of our tools are made of stone. We

use them to hunt and fish. Without
these tools, we may not have food.

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Suggested Answers:

Description Civilized Uncivilized Reason

life life
a. We went to the temple this morning to  They have organized
pray. There has been no rain for a few religion – worshipping
months already and we hope that our in a temple
God could feel mercy on us and save
us.

b. All of our tools are made of stone. We  They use stone tools
use them to hunt and fish. Without instead of metal tools /
these tools, we may not have food. they hunt for food
instead of farming

8. Data-based Questions
e.g. Study the following picture.

a. What event is the above poster promoting? (1 mark)

b. i. For what purpose was it first held in ancient Greece? (1 mark)
ii. For the purpose you pointed out in (i) above, what can you tell about the ancient
Greeks? (1 mark)
c. Why do we continue to hold this traditional Greek event today? (1 mark)
d. Point out ONE difference between the ancient and modern versions of the above event.
(2 marks)

Suggested Answers:
a. The Olympic Games (1 mark)
b. i. To honour Zeus. (1 mark)
ii. The Greeks were religious/ afraid of their Gods. (1 mark)
c. To promote world peace / sports / sportsmanship (1 mark)
d. (Any ONE, 2 marks)
Ancient Modern
Location Olympia only Different countries
Participants Greeks only; only men All over the world; both
men and women
Prizes Olive crowns Medals
Events fewer More

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9. Long Questions

e.g. Greco-Roman civilization had great impact on our modern government system. Do you
agree? Illustrate your answer with examples from both the governments of Ancient Greece
and Rome. (5 marks)

Suggested Answers:
Yes, I agree.
We learn the idea of democracy from the Athenian government. In ancient Athens, citizens were
allowed to join the assembly to express their opinions and they voted to make decisions.

Many modern governments are modeled on the Roman Republic, with representatives joining an
upper house and a lower house to speak for the citizens.

1% for overall presentation