Here are some comments from people in Hong Kong posted to www.books-hk.com.

Read
them carefully and answer questions 1-11 in the Question-Answer Section.
(34 marks)

Pseudo models banned from the Hong Kong Book Fair

In June 2010 the Trade Development Council (TDC) rejected all applications from pseudo
models or leng mo* to hold autograph sessions at the 2010 Hong Kong Book Fair. Not
everyone is pleased about this decision. Some people think that the TDC should not say who
can or cannot take part in the Fair.
5

What do you think of the TDCs decision? Send in your comments and share your point of
view.
* a Chinese slang referring to teenage wannabe models known for their skimpy outfits and compromising poses

15

10

A. I have been going to the Book Fair for several years

and I always enjoy it. People from all over Hong Kong
come to buy books and to meet writers. Ive not met
anyone who goes to the Book Fair simply to meet pseudo
models. I think there is a big overreaction to the leng mo.
As far as Im concerned, these pseudo models are harmless
and this ban is unnecessary.
Nancy, regular Book Fair goer

25

20

B. Its ridiculous for the TDC to ban

people from the Book Fair. Theyre
discriminating against writers like me!
People can still purchase my book at the
Book Fair. Im going to sign autographs
in shopping centres instead. Im going to
make sure I meet my fans!
Kitty K, model

C. My family and I went to the Book Fair last year.

I was appalled by the pseudo models and their picture
books. I had to cover my childrens eyes each time we
walked past them! They are not helping to promote
healthy reading habits! Im glad they were banned. As
a parent, I want a book fair that is child-friendly.
John, appalled parent

HKDSE/Senior Secondary (Set A)Web Article Dec 2010

Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2010

Q11(d)

30 D. The books written by pseudo models were

read and then discussed. It was agreed that the
models taking part in the Book Fair was
inappropriate. The conclusion reached was that
the good name of the Book Fair and the
Q5
35 encouraging of good reading habits would
remain the priority of the Book Fair.
Spokesperson

40

45

50

55

F. I agree with TDCs decision. If someone

would like to sign autographs, they should be
fully dressed, sitting down and behaving
appropriately. I think these models are
promoting an image which many young girls
wrongly feel they have to achieve. Young girls
are easily swayed, and can be left feeling that
they can never be slim or pretty enough. This
can lead to low self-esteem, eating disorders
and poor body image.
Concerned teacher

E. I am a regular Book Fair goer. I believe that

a book fair should be about books, not the moral
standards of society. If the TDC feel that they
have the right to decide what is good and bad
for us, will graphic novels or other books that
offend the TDC be banned too? Personally, I
dont think TDC have the right to tell us what we
can and cant read.
Sally, university student

60

65

70

75

G. I dont approve of pseudo models, but

to ban them is completely wrong. No one
should decide what we can or cant see or
read. I worry about where this moral
judgement will end: today pseudo models
are being banned from the Book Fair; will
the book Animal Farm by George Orwell
be banned next year because it has political
comments? What about other popular or
classic novels? Where will this end?
David, literature student

H. If pseudo models are banned because of their

image, will authors be banned because of their race, their
age or their religious opinions? I want to live in a society
where I have freedom of choice. This ban is terrible.
I will not attend the upcoming Book Fair if the pseudo
models are banned.
Eric, secondary school student

HKDSE/Senior Secondary (Set A)Web Article Dec 2010

Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2010

QUESTION-ANSWER SECTION
Each question carries ONE mark unless otherwise stated.

(34 marks)

Answer questions 1-11 using information from the web postings on pages 1-2. Write your
answers in the spaces provided. For multiple-choice questions, choose the best answer and
blacken ONE circle only.

1.

Read comment A carefully and decide if the following statements are true (T), false (F)
or not stated (X). Put appropriate symbols in the boxes below.
(3 marks)

a. Nancy disagrees with the TDCs ban.

b. Nancy is looking forward to the upcoming Hong Kong Book Fair.
c. Nancy has a friend who visited the Book Fair just to meet the pseudo models.

2.

3.

Find words in comment B which could be replaced by the following:

a. silly

(1) ridiculous

(line 15)

b. buy

(1) purchase

(line 18)

c. admirers

(1) fans

(line 21)

Look at the word appalled used in line 24 of comment C. Decide which of the
definitions below is closest in meaning.
A. shocked
B. delighted
C. saddened
D. hated

4.

(3 marks)

In comment D, the writer thinks that banning pseudo models from the Book Fair
would help
A. encourage teenagers to read regularly
B. damage the good name of the Book Fair
C. achieve the Book Fairs reading goals
D. attract more visitors to the Book Fair

HKDSE/Senior Secondary (Set A)Web Article Dec 2010

Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2010

5.

Complete the sentence below.

According to the writer of comment E, a wide range of
allowed at the Book Fair, regardless of what the

6.

(0.5) books

(0.5) TDC

should be

think of them.

Why does the writer of comment F think the pseudo models should be banned from
the Book Fair?
They promote an image which many young girls wrongly feel they have to achieve.
(lines 50-52)

7.

8.

Find words in comments F and G which mean the opposite of these words:
(3 marks)
a. fat

(1) slim

(line 54)

b. unsuitably

(1) appropriately

(line 50)

c. allow

(1) ban

(line 59)

What does it in line 65 of comment G refer to?

(the book) Animal Farm (by George Orwell) (line 64)

9.

What can because of in lines 69 and 70 of comment H be replaced by?

A. as a result of
B. in addition to
C. instead of
D. in spite of

HKDSE/Senior Secondary (Set A)Web Article Dec 2010

Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2010

10. Read the following replies, matching each with ONE of the comments on pages 1-2.
(6 marks)
Use each letter once only. The first is given to you as an example.

e.g.

Arent you being a little over-the-top? Of course classic stories such as

Animal Farm will never be banned from the Book Fair.
ML, Tsuen Wan

I also wish people would stop making such a fuss about the pseudo models.
Like most people who go to the Book Fair each year, I go to enjoy the
books.
CHS, TST

Girls are already under too much pressure to look and behave in certain
ways. Writers who care about their readers know this. As a result, they
make sure that they dress and behave appropriately.
TMY, Pok Fu Lam

I heard rumours that the TDC didnt read any of the books by the pseudo
models. Thank you for clarifying this. Im glad that this decision was made
following discussion of the books and their authors.
SR, NT

The models were at the book fair because they had books for sale there.
Your children are going to see things like this throughout their lives. Im
sorry but I think that hiding such images by banning the models will not help
your children.
KK, Wan Chai

If youd like to express your opinion, you should write to the TDC. As
thousands of people go to the Book Fair, one person not going will have no
impact on this decision.
TJ, Yuen Long

Youre absolutely right. A book fair should not be about defending the
moral standards of society. We should not be told what is good or bad for
us to read. One group of people should not decide which authors we can
meet.
RM, Mid-Levels

HKDSE/Senior Secondary (Set A)Web Article Dec 2010

Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2010

11. Complete the information summary below. Identify what the writer does and if the writer agrees or disagrees with the ban. Quote ONE piece of evidence
to justify your response. Some of the details have been completed to help you.

Message

What the person does

Agrees/Disagrees
with the ban?

(13 marks)

Supporting quote from the passage

disagrees

C
I dont think TDC have the right to tell us what we can and
cant read.

agrees

literature student

secondary school
student

-THE END-

HKDSE/Senior Secondary (Set A)Web Article Dec 2010

Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2010