No sensitive questions in history papers this year

The history papers of this year’s DSE exam asked students about the relationship between Hong Kong’s economy and Mainland in the first half of the 20th century, after last year’s chaos over questions regarding China and Japan. 

Last year's history exam drew attention after one of the questions asked students’ opinions that did Japan bring more good than harm to China between 1900 and 1945. 

Such sensitive content didn’t appear in this year’s papers, according to Keith Chui Hiu-ki, vice principal of Lee Kau Yan Memorial School when reviewing the papers. 

Yet, the questions asked students to provide specific details. Students can pass easily, but it will be hard for them to obtain a higher score, according to Chui. 

There are four questions in the first paper of the history exam and students have to choose three to answer. 

The theme of the first question is “Hong Kong in the First Half of the 20th Century”. A poster of Wing On Department Store in 1910 is provided to students, as well as two passages from a history book, with one mentioning the impact of Chinese movie companies to the city. 

The theme of the second question involves “China in the Second Half of the 20th Century”, asking pupils about the features of China’s Socialism structure and the modernization of its economy. 

The third asked about the first World War and its relevant peace treaties, while the fourth asked about the Soviet Union, on its relationship with the US during the Cold War and its diplomacy. 

The second paper tested students’ knowledge on Japanese militarism, China’s Xinhai Revolution in 1911 and May Fourth Movement in 1919, as well as international alliances.