Answer key

Practice paper 4A
Reading
Text 1
*1. Space Camp offers three different packages.
*2. Space Camp provides a simulation of the training done by NASA astronauts.
*3. Space Camp is open from April to November.
*4. Space Camp’s housing consists of private and communal rooms.
*5. Space Camp provides members with lectures, training and housing.
*6. (i) be eight (years old) or older.
(ii) pass a health examination.
(iii) be fluent in English or Cantonese.
*7. authentic 10. True
8. True 11. False
9. Not Given 12. Not Given

Text 2
13. C 21. False
14. D 22. enough
15. comfortable / relaxed 23. look
16. True 24. shake
17. False 25. hot
18. False 26 altered / changed
19. Not Given 27. landed
20. True 28. demanding / difficult / hard
29. Yang is humble / modest because (1 mark)
— many people contributed to ensure that China’s first manned space flight was successful. (1 mark)
— many people made China’s first manned space flight successful. (1 mark)
— many people worked hard for China’s manned space flight to be successful. (1 mark)

Text 3
30. C 39. double
31. 3 40. A
32. C 41. C
*33. Space Hotel USA *42. the bed
34. Many 43. D
35. unfamiliar 44. D
36. seven *45. the people inside the Great Glass Elevator
37. for / towards 46. A
38. no 47. D

* According to the new HKCEE marking scheme, answers for these questions will be marked correct even
if there are grammatical or spelling mistakes as long as the meaning is clear.


 Answer key

Practice paper 4B
Writing
Task 1

Wexciting
Leaving the earth was very excitement but extremely nerve-wracking. I was aware that
N millions were
it was a historic occasion and that million of people from around the world watching.
^
S stopped
I felt like my heart had stoped beating during the countdown. Then, I felt the surge of
and
the engines as we took off. My body shook back forth, and the shuttle roared like a
^
N lion
lions.

W in
When we were safely cruising on space, we took off our seatbelts and were able to
T had
move freely around the cabin. Although I have trained for over a year, I felt a bit ‘space
Sadjust
sick’ at first because of the lack of gravity. I closed my eyes to try to ajust, but when
Twas
I opened them I was upside down. It is such a strange feeling!

The highlight of my trip was our first spacewalk. There’s a lot of preparation for a spacewalk, like
checking the spacesuits and the connection to the shuttle. Once I was outside, I was completely
overwhelmed. I finally understood the true definition of ‘space’ — it seemed endless!

After our amazing adventure in space, the last part began — returning home. Just half an hour after
we re-entered the earth’s atmosphere, our bodies jolted as the parachute burst out from the back of
the shuttle. Then, after a few seconds we came to a grinding halt on the runway. We all cheered with
relief that we were home safe and sound.

1
 Answer key
Task 2 Question 1

Suggested model answer for Task 2 Question 1 (about 250 words)

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing to enter your competition to be a space tourist on the space shuttle Caelum. I think I would be

an ideal choice because I am fascinated with space, I want to be an astronaut and I am a good team player.

I have always been fascinated with outer space and space travel. When I was a child, I made a model of the

solar system, which hung from my bedroom ceiling. Seeing my interest, my parents always took me to shows

and events related to space. As I have gotten older, I have followed all the space missions from the USA,

Russia and China, as well as the development of the International Space Station.

Besides my fascination with space, my lifelong ambition is to be an astronaut. As such, I have collected

many images from space, including photos taken from the International Space Station. I am also

interested in the science projects carried out by astronauts. If I had the opportunity to be an astronaut, I

would like to contribute to the Human Life Sciences experiments.

I also think I would be an ideal space tourist because I enjoy being part of a team. I am a member of the

school’s basketball team and the photographer for my school magazine. I am hard-working and put all my

energy into doing whatever task is necessary.

I hope that after you read this letter , you will agree that I am an ideal choice as a space tourist.

Yours Faithfully

Chris Wong

Chris Wong

2
 Answer key
Task 2 Question 2

Suggested model answer for Task 2 Question 2 (about 250 words)

Within the next ten to fifteen years, the USA is planning to send a manned mission to Mars. This would be

the first step towards humans living on Mars. In this essay, I will discuss the pros and cons of humans

living on Mars.

The main advantage is that it would give us the chance to create a clean living environment. As we develop

Mars, it should be possible for us to avoid making the same mistakes that we have made on earth.

Another advantage is that we could learn more about how to help the earth. For example, we could study

how plant life is affected by the Martian environment, which may help us to better protect plant life on

earth.

Although the points mentioned above highlight advantages, there are also disadvantages.

One disadvantage is that we may stop trying to protect the earth. If we think that the earth is not

necessary for humans to survive, we may not bother to look after it. We could ruin our planet by not

preventing man-made problems, such as pollution.

Another disadvantage is the cost. To live on Mars, we would need to build an artificial environment because

the atmosphere on Mars is too thin for humans. This would cost billions of dollars.

To summarise, living on Mars may give us the chance to create a pristine environment and learn more about

how to help the earth. On the other hand, it may stop us from looking after the earth and would definitely

cost a lot. I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.