30 free English practice questions
Covers reading, writing, listening and integrated skills, speaking, vocabulary control, and genre-aware communication.
Start with the diagnostic, then open the practice bank
Start one complete 30-question free runner. Questions 1-6 also power the optional diagnostic report, while questions 7-30 remain local practice. Every answer includes an explanation.
English Language
Choose the paper skill you want to study now
English is not one single skill. Filter the practice set by Reading, Writing, Listening, Integrated Skills, Speaking, or language accuracy, then jump to the matching study map.
Reading
Gist, detail, tone, inference, vocabulary in context, and text features.
3 subtopics coveredWriting
Part A guided writing, Part B genres, audience, purpose, register, and organisation.
3 subtopics coveredListening
Purpose, key details, speaker attitude, accent variety, and fast note-taking.
3 subtopics coveredIntegrated Skills
Data-file selection, spoken and written source synthesis, task fulfilment, and tone.
3 subtopics coveredSpeaking
Group interaction, individual response, elaboration, repair strategies, and delivery.
3 subtopics coveredLanguage Accuracy
Grammar, vocabulary range, cohesion, register, genre control, and editing habits.
3 subtopics coveredKnow what the real English Language assessment includes
AceDSE's free questions are a short multiple-choice diagnostic. They check selected concepts; they are not a past paper, predicted paper, or complete simulation of every assessed skill.
Topic checkpoints mapped to official source boundaries
Use this AceDSE English Language map as a revision index. It is organised within HKEAA and EDB source boundaries, but the official documents remain the final authority.
Reading for gist, detail, and text organisation
Develop the ability to identify main ideas, infer attitude, interpret figurative language, and handle different text types. Build speed and accuracy in tackling multiple-choice, short-response, and summary questions.
- Skimming for gist and scanning for specific information
- Contextual guessing of unfamiliar words
- Identifying signpost words that signal contrast, cause, or sequence
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Reading for gist, detail, and text organisation.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Reading for gist, detail, and text organisation.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Skimming for gist and scanning for specific information
- Contextual guessing of unfamiliar words
- Identifying signpost words that signal contrast, cause, or sequence
- Synthesising information from multiple paragraphs
Practice route
- Read a range of text types (articles, editorials, short stories) daily
- Complete timed multiple-choice drills with self-assessment
- Annotate unseen passages for tone, purpose, and key ideas
- Practise summary writing with a strict word limit
Weak signals
- Relying on prior knowledge instead of text evidence
- Misinterpreting tone due to limited vocabulary range
- Skipping the question stem details and losing marks
- Spending too much time on one passage and failing to finish
Inference, tone, attitude, and implication
Inference, tone, attitude, and implication belongs to Paper 1 Reading. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Inference, tone, attitude, and implication using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 1 Reading task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Inference, tone, attitude, and implication.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Inference, tone, attitude, and implication.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Inference, tone, attitude, and implication using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 1 Reading task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Inference, tone, attitude, and implication before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Inference, tone, attitude, and implication but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Vocabulary in context and reference
Vocabulary in context and reference belongs to Paper 1 Reading. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Vocabulary in context and reference using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 1 Reading task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Vocabulary in context and reference.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Vocabulary in context and reference.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Vocabulary in context and reference using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 1 Reading task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Vocabulary in context and reference before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Vocabulary in context and reference but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts
Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts belongs to Paper 1 Reading. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 1 Reading task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 1 Reading task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Reading diagrams, notices, articles, and multimodal texts but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Part A guided writing
Part A guided writing belongs to Paper 2 Writing. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Part A guided writing using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Part A guided writing.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Part A guided writing.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Part A guided writing using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Part A guided writing before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Part A guided writing but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Writing genres, arguments, and personal viewpoints
Master the conventions of essays, formal letters, reports, proposals, and speeches. Learn to adapt register, structure, and persuasive techniques for audience and purpose.
- Planning with mind maps before writing
- Using appropriate discourse markers for cohesion
- Varying sentence structures for stylistic effect
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Writing genres, arguments, and personal viewpoints.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Writing genres, arguments, and personal viewpoints.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Planning with mind maps before writing
- Using appropriate discourse markers for cohesion
- Varying sentence structures for stylistic effect
- Proofreading for grammatical accuracy and register consistency
Practice route
- Draft a timed essay every week and annotate your strengths
- Analyse model texts for genre-specific features
- Peer-review a partner's writing using a rubric
- Rewrite a piece for a different audience or purpose
Weak signals
- Generic opening and closing paragraphs lacking engagement
- Inconsistent register (e.g., contractions in a formal letter)
- Weak topic sentences that fail to introduce the paragraph's main idea
- Underdeveloped arguments with insufficient evidence
Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals
Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals belongs to Paper 2 Writing. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Letters, emails, speeches, and proposals but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs
Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs belongs to Paper 2 Writing. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Reports, articles, reviews, and blogs but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Audience, purpose, register, and genre control
Audience, purpose, register, and genre control belongs to Paper 2 Writing. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Audience, purpose, register, and genre control using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Audience, purpose, register, and genre control.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Audience, purpose, register, and genre control.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Audience, purpose, register, and genre control using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Paper 2 Writing task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Audience, purpose, register, and genre control before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Audience, purpose, register, and genre control but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Listening for purpose, role, stance, and key details
Develop the ability to understand speakers' attitudes, intentions, and relationships in a variety of contexts. Practise listening for specific information, gist, and implied meaning.
- Predicting possible content and vocabulary before listening
- Selective attention: switching between gist and detail listening
- Inferring meaning from stress and intonation patterns
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Listening for purpose, role, stance, and key details.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Listening for purpose, role, stance, and key details.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Predicting possible content and vocabulary before listening
- Selective attention: switching between gist and detail listening
- Inferring meaning from stress and intonation patterns
- Using abbreviations and symbols for fast note-taking
Practice route
- Listen to English news, podcasts, and academic discussions regularly
- Complete repeated listening exercises with transcripts post-listening
- Practise dictation of short passages to sharpen ear for detail
- Role-play specific listening scenarios (e.g., announcements, interviews)
Weak signals
- Panicking when a single word is missed and losing entire focus
- Failing to read the questions beforehand and not knowing what to listen for
- Misunderstanding hedged or polite speech as factual
- Difficulty catching numbers, dates, and names accurately
Data-file selection and synthesis
Combine data-file reading, listening, and writing to produce the required text type. Focus on selecting relevant points, paraphrasing, and meeting task requirements under time pressure.
- Highlighting key figures, dates, and contrasting views in data files
- Taking shorthand notes while listening to the recording
- Identifying speaker relationships (e.g., interviewer-interviewee, colleagues)
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Data-file selection and synthesis.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Data-file selection and synthesis.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Highlighting key figures, dates, and contrasting views in data files
- Taking shorthand notes while listening to the recording
- Identifying speaker relationships (e.g., interviewer-interviewee, colleagues)
- Checking the response against the task rubric for completeness
Practice route
- Complete full-length Paper 3 practice under exam conditions
- Practise note-taking with a variety of audio clips
- Analyse sample data files and tasks to learn selection strategies
- Write integrated responses with a strict time limit and peer-assess
Weak signals
- Copying chunks from data files without paraphrasing
- Missing points from the recording due to slow note-taking
- Ignoring the word count or layout requirements of the task
- Mixing up similar-sounding data points (e.g., two different percentages)
Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation
Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation belongs to Listening, integrated skills, speaking, and language. Use it as one official curriculum checkpoint before moving into timed practice.
- Explain Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Listening, integrated skills, speaking, and language task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Explain Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation using precise subject language.
- Choose evidence, formulae, examples, or data that match the Listening, integrated skills, speaking, and language task.
- Show working or reasoning clearly enough for marker-friendly review.
Practice route
- Recall the key ideas for Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation before opening questions.
- Attempt a short diagnostic task, then mark the exact reason for any lost mark.
- Redo one adjacent topic so the checkpoint stays connected instead of isolated.
Weak signals
- You recognise Integrated task fulfilment and source transformation but cannot choose the right method under time pressure.
- Your answer uses the right keyword but lacks the required evidence, step, or example.
- The same mistake appears again after reading the explanation.
Group interaction and individual response
Build confidence in individual presentation and group discussion. Focus on expressing ideas clearly, responding to others, and using appropriate language functions.
- Preparing a one-minute IR using mind mapping and notes
- Active listening to identify points to respond to in GI
- Paraphrasing when lacking a specific word or phrase
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Group interaction and individual response.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Group interaction and individual response.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Preparing a one-minute IR using mind mapping and notes
- Active listening to identify points to respond to in GI
- Paraphrasing when lacking a specific word or phrase
- Summarising the group's discussion at the end of GI
Practice route
- Record daily IR practice with a timer and review your performance
- Join a speaking group or find a partner for regular GI practice
- Learn and review topic-specific vocabulary sets (e.g., environment, technology)
- Analyse high-scoring speaking samples and note useful phrases
Weak signals
- Speaking too fast or too slow, affecting audience understanding
- Monopolising the discussion and not allowing others to speak
- Short, undeveloped responses in IR lacking reasoning
- Overusing 'I agree with you' without adding new ideas
Grammar, vocabulary range, cohesion, and editing
Strengthen command of English grammar, expand vocabulary, and develop sensitivity to register and style. Apply these skills to improve all four papers.
- Editing for common grammatical errors in context
- Using a variety of sentence types (simple, compound, complex)
- Selecting precise vocabulary for the intended meaning
Checkpoints
- Know the core ideas and vocabulary for Grammar, vocabulary range, cohesion, and editing.
- Practise common HKDSE question formats for Grammar, vocabulary range, cohesion, and editing.
- Record mistakes and link them to adjacent topics.
Exam skills
- Editing for common grammatical errors in context
- Using a variety of sentence types (simple, compound, complex)
- Selecting precise vocabulary for the intended meaning
- Maintaining consistent register throughout a piece
Practice route
- Complete grammar drills and keep an error log of repeated mistakes
- Read widely and note down collocations and sentence patterns
- Write sentences using newly learned vocabulary in context
- Transform informal sentences into formal register and vice versa
Weak signals
- Frequent subject-verb agreement errors, especially with distraction phrases
- Limited variety of sentence openers and overall monotony
- Over-reliance on high-frequency words (e.g., good, bad, nice)
- Misuse of cohesive devices (e.g., however, therefore) causing logical gaps
What do you want to improve today?
Choose one skill first. Each area opens its own focused workspace, so the full quiz, audio bank, and writing guides never compete for attention.
Choose an audio track, take focused notes, and convert evidence into answers.
Short tests for punctuation, grammar, connectors, word choice, and proofreading.
Plan reports, proposals, articles, speeches, essays, and formal emails.
Fix one small weakness in five minutes
Choose exactly what is costing you marks. Every module gives an instant correction and a reusable exam rule, then records your repeated practice toward mastery.
Showing all 30 unlocked modules
Punctuation Lab
Commas, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, and sentence boundaries.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The tracker counts completed practice attempts. The 90 authored core checks rotate for spaced, repeated practice so you can repair the same weakness until the rule becomes automatic.
Choose the text type before you start writing
Open one compact guide for the purpose, structure, tone, and final check. The tips stay visible while you draft.
01
ArticleEngage readers
+
Opening move: Start with a vivid situation, question, or surprising fact.
- Clear angle and audience
- Lively but controlled tone
- Memorable final message
02
ProposalRecommend action
+
Opening move: State the purpose and main recommendation immediately.
- Need or problem
- Practical recommendation
- Benefits and implementation
03
ReportPresent findings
+
Opening move: Name the purpose, source of evidence, and scope.
- Objective headings
- Evidence before judgement
- Prioritised recommendations
04
SpeechMove an audience
+
Opening move: Address the audience and establish why the issue matters now.
- Direct audience contact
- Rhythm and rhetorical devices
- Strong call to action
05
Formal emailRequest clearly
+
Opening move: Give the reason for writing in the first paragraph.
- Suitable greeting
- Polite modal language
- Specific next step
06
Argumentative essayBuild a case
+
Opening move: Define the issue and state a defensible position.
- Topic sentences
- Evidence and explanation
- Counterargument and response
Practise listening as its own session
Choose from 20 audio tracks, play one recording, then jump into the matching drill when you are ready.
Should homework be reduced in Hong Kong schools?
Paper 3A audio library
Browse all 20 listening tracks
School · Technology · Hong Kong society · Health
Should homework be reduced in Hong Kong schools?
Play once for the situation, then replay for evidence, concern, recommendation, and counterpoint.
- Evidence: a survey of 520 students found that sixty-eight percent wanted fewer repeated worksheets.
- Concern: students with long travel time said late-night homework made revision less effective.
- Recommendation: replace one daily worksheet with a weekly reflection task and a short quiz.
Convert the recording into a report: write a report for the vice-principal. Use only the evidence, concern, recommendation, and counterpoint that match the task.
Build a English plan for this week
Choose your weakest topic and available time. AceDSE will turn the syllabus map into a simple 7-day route you can start immediately.
The plan combines concept review, free diagnostic questions and mistake logging. Consider a reviewed guided route only when it is available and the same weakness repeats.