Following instructions, directions and procedures

English Language · Senior Secondary (HKDSE) · 4 min read

Introduction: Navigating Your Way to Success

Welcome! In the HKDSE Paper 3 (Listening), you aren't just listening for facts; you are often acting as the "ears" for someone trying to get things done. Whether it is a speaker explaining how to register for a library card, a tour guide giving directions through a museum, or a teacher explaining how to conduct a science experiment, you need to follow the flow of information accurately. This chapter will help you master the skills needed to track steps, find locations on a map, and understand exactly what a speaker wants you to do.

Note: For help with specific names and numbers, check the chapter on "Listening for specific details, numbers and names."

1. Understanding Procedures (The "Step-by-Step" Flow)

A procedure is a set of actions done in a specific order. In Part A, you might see a flow-chart or a numbered list that you need to complete while listening.

A. Look for Signpost Words

Speakers use "signposts" to tell you where they are in a process. These are your best friends during the exam! They help you keep your place if you get lost.

The Beginning: "To start with...", "First of all...", "The first step is..."
Continuing: "Once you've done that...", "Then...", "Next...", "Afterwards..."
The End: "Finally...", "The last thing to do is...", "Last but not least..."

B. Identifying "Condition" Words

Sometimes a step only happens if something else is true. Listen for words like unless, provided that, or only if.
Example: "You can enter the room unless the red light is flashing." (This means: Red light = No entry!)

Quick Takeaway: Always look ahead at the next box in a flow-chart so you are ready for the speaker to "move" there using a signpost word.

2. Mastering Directions (Finding Your Way)

One of the most common tasks in Paper 3 Part A is map or diagram labeling. You might be looking at a floor plan of a school or a map of a neighborhood.

A. Spatial Prepositions

To succeed, you must be very familiar with words that describe where things are located:

Adjacent to / Next to: Right beside it.
Opposite / Facing: On the other side of the path or corridor.
Parallel to: Running in the same direction (like two train tracks).
Perpendicular to: Meeting at a 90-degree angle (like a "T" junction).
In the top-right corner / At the bottom-left: Helpful for identifying positions on a page.

B. Movement Verbs

If the speaker is "walking" you through a map, listen for:

"Go past the..." (Don't stop there, keep going!)
"Take the second turning on your left." (Ignore the first street, turn at the second.)
"Go straight ahead until you reach..."

C. Using Landmarks

Speakers often use a fixed point to help you find a new location.
Example: "The staff room is behind the reception desk."
First, find "Reception" on your map, then look behind it to find the answer.

Don't worry if this seems tricky! Just keep your pen/pencil on the starting point of the map and "trace" the path as the speaker talks.

3. Following Instructions (Rules and Commands)

Instructions are usually imperatives (bossy verbs). The speaker tells you exactly what to do or what not to do.

A. Affirmative vs. Negative Instructions

Be careful not to mix these up!
Do: "Please ensure you bring your ID card."
Don't: "Candidates are strictly forbidden from using mobile phones."

B. Degree of Importance

Sometimes an instruction is a suggestion, not a requirement.
"It is essential that..." = You MUST do it.
"You might want to..." = It is optional / a good idea.

4. Common Exam Pitfalls: The "Distractor"

The HKDSE often includes "distractors"—information that sounds like the answer but is actually wrong or changed later.

The "Change of Mind" Trap:
Speaker: "First, go to the Main Hall... oh, wait, sorry, that's closed for repairs. Go to the Library instead."
Mistake: Writing "Main Hall" immediately.
Success: Wait a second to ensure the speaker doesn't correct themselves.

The "Already Done" Trap:
The speaker might mention a step that is already printed on your question paper. Don't write it down again! Use it as a signpost to know where you are in the recording.

Summary Checklist for Students

Before the recording starts: Study the map or flow-chart. Identify your "Starting Point" (usually marked with an 'X' or 'You are here').
During the recording: Listen for imperative verbs (Take, Turn, Put, Fill) and sequence markers (First, Second, Finally).
Watch out for corrections: Speakers often say "actually" or "let me rephrase that" when they are about to give the real instruction.
Check the scale/labels: If the map has "North, South, East, West" markers, use them!

Quick Review: Following instructions is about patience. Don't rush to write the first location or step you hear. Wait for the speaker to confirm the action before you finalize your answer.

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What is a procedure in the context of HKDSE Listening Paper 3?

A procedure is a set of actions performed in a specific, chronological order, often presented as a flow-chart or numbered list in Part A.

What are signpost words and why are they important?

Signpost words are transitional phrases (e.g., 'First', 'Next', 'Finally') that indicate where a speaker is in a process, helping you keep your place in the exam task.

How do 'condition' words affect the steps in a procedure?

Condition words like 'unless', 'provided that', or 'only if' indicate that a step or action only occurs if a specific requirement is met.

What is 'parallel' vs. 'perpendicular' in the context of map directions?

Parallel means running in the same direction side-by-side; perpendicular means meeting at a 90-degree angle (forming a 'T' or '+' shape).

What should you do when a speaker uses a 'movement verb' like 'go past'?

When you hear 'go past', you should continue moving through the map without stopping at the mentioned location until the next instruction is given.

How are fixed landmarks used to give directions?

Landmarks serve as reference points from which you can find a new location (e.g., 'behind the reception desk').

What is the difference between an affirmative and a negative instruction?

An affirmative instruction tells you what to do (e.g., 'ensure you bring...'), while a negative instruction tells you what is forbidden (e.g., 'strictly forbidden from...').

How can you identify the importance or necessity of an instruction?

Listen for modal verbs and adjectives: 'essential' or 'must' indicate a requirement, while 'might want to' or 'suggest' indicate an optional action.

What is the 'Change of Mind' trap in listening tasks?

It is a distractor where a speaker provides information but then immediately corrects or changes it (e.g., 'Go to the Hall... wait, go to the Library').

What should you do with information in the recording that is already printed on the question paper?

Do not write it down; instead, use it as a 'signpost' to confirm your current position in the sequence or on the map.

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