English Language | Precious Things

English Language Study Notes: Wonderful Things - Precious Things

Hello everyone! Welcome to your study notes for the theme "Precious Things". Don't worry, this isn't just about gold and diamonds! We're going to explore what makes something truly valuable – from a family photo to a cherished memory or even a national treasure.

Understanding this theme is super useful for your HKDSE exam. Why? Because questions about personal values, memories, and important objects appear all the time in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking papers. These notes will help you build the vocabulary and skills to talk about "Precious Things" with confidence. Let's get started!

Section 1: What Exactly Are "Precious Things"?

When you hear the word "precious", you might think of something expensive. But in English, it most often means something of great value that is not necessarily about money. It's about emotional, sentimental, or historical importance.

Two Types of Precious Things

Let's break them down into two simple categories:

• Tangible Things: These are physical objects you can touch.
  For example: an old watch from your grandfather, a prize you won, a handmade birthday card.


• Intangible Things: These are things you cannot touch, but are just as real and important.
  For example: a happy memory, a close friendship, freedom, your family's traditions, knowledge.

Think about it: Is a photograph precious because of the paper it's printed on, or because of the intangible memory it holds? This is the kind of thinking that will help you get higher marks!

Why is it precious?

Something can be precious because of its...

• Sentimental Value: It connects to a person, place, or event. (e.g., The teddy bear my parents gave me when I was born.)
• Historical Value: It tells a story about the past. (e.g., An old coin from a different dynasty.)
• Symbolic Value: It represents a bigger idea. (e.g., A medal represents hard work and achievement.)

Key Takeaway: When you discuss a "precious thing," focus on the story and the feeling behind it. That's what makes it interesting and valuable.

Section 2: The Language of Value (Reading & Writing Skills)

To describe something precious well, you need the right words and techniques. This is essential for your writing paper!

Vocabulary Boost: Beyond "Important"

Instead of just saying "this is important," try using more powerful vocabulary:

• Priceless / Invaluable: So valuable that you can't put a price on it. "My grandmother's advice has been invaluable to me."
• Cherished: To care for something deeply. "I cherish the memories of my primary school days."
• Irreplaceable: If you lose it, you can never get another one. "This one-of-a-kind photograph is irreplaceable."
• Sentimental: Valued because of the emotions connected to it. "It's not worth much money, but it has great sentimental value."

Grammar in Action: Figurative Language

Figurative language creates powerful images in your reader's mind. It's a fantastic way to express deep meaning.

• Simile (comparing using 'like' or 'as'): Makes your description clearer.
  "That old diary is like a time machine; it takes me back to my childhood."


• Metaphor (comparing by saying something is something else): Adds emotion and depth.
  "My mother's encouragement was the wind beneath my wings."


• Personification (giving human qualities to objects): Brings an object to life.
  "For fifty years, the old grandfather clock faithfully watched over our family's comings and goings."

Top Writing Tip: Show, Don't Tell

This is a game-changer for descriptive and narrative writing. Instead of telling the reader how you feel, show them through actions and details.

Telling: The necklace was very precious to her. (Boring!)

Showing: Her fingers gently traced the delicate silver chain, a gift from her mother. She never took it off, and whenever she felt nervous, she would hold the small, smooth pendant, feeling an instant sense of calm. (Much better!)

Quick Review Box

To describe precious things well:
1. Use powerful vocabulary like priceless and cherished.
2. Use figurative language like similes and metaphors.
3. Remember the golden rule: Show, Don't Tell!

Section 3: Talking About What Matters (Speaking & Listening Skills)

In your speaking exam (SBA and Paper 4), you might be asked to talk about your values or a precious memory. Here’s how to prepare.

Listening for Clues

When you listen to a passage about a precious thing, pay attention to:

• The Speaker's Tone: Do they sound happy, sad, proud, or nostalgic (thinking fondly of the past)? Their tone tells you how they really feel.
• Keywords: Listen for the vocabulary we just learned (cherish, sentimental, irreplaceable). They are big clues!
• The "Why": Don't just listen to what the object is. The most important information is why it's precious to the speaker.

Speaking with Confidence (A Simple 3-Step Structure)

If you're asked to talk about something precious, use this simple structure for your individual response:

Step 1: What is it?
Start by clearly identifying the object, person, or memory.
"I'd like to talk about my most precious possession, which is a rather old and worn-out fountain pen."

Step 2: What's the story? (The "Why")
This is the most important part. Tell the story behind it.
"It was a graduation gift from my father. He told me that he used the very same pen throughout his university years. For me, it's not just a pen; it's a symbol of his hard work and his belief in my future."

Step 3: What does it mean to you now? (The Feeling)
End by explaining its current significance in your life.
"Every time I use it for an important exam, I feel a sense of connection to him and it gives me confidence. It’s a constant reminder to always try my best."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too simple: Avoid saying "It's nice" or "It's important." Use the stronger vocabulary we discussed.
• Forgetting the story: Don't just describe the object. The story is what makes your answer unique and personal.

Key Takeaway: For speaking and listening, always focus on the emotion and the story. The "why" is more important than the "what".

Section 4: Deeper Meanings (Analysis & Critical Thinking)

The theme of "Precious Things" is very common in stories and films. Analysing them helps develop your critical thinking skills, which are vital for the reading paper.

Reading Short Stories

When you read a story that features a precious object, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the object a symbol of? Does a key represent a secret or an opportunity? Does a storm represent a character's internal conflict? An object is rarely just an object in literature.
• What is the theme? What is the author's main message about what is truly valuable in life? Often, stories show that intangible things like love, integrity, or sacrifice are more precious than any material wealth.

Did you know? In the famous short story "The Gift of the Magi", a husband sells his precious watch to buy combs for his wife's beautiful hair, while she sells her hair to buy a chain for his watch. The story's theme is that their love and sacrifice for each other are the true "precious things," making their gifts priceless despite being useless.

Watching Documentaries

As the syllabus suggests, watching documentaries about great people (like Nobel laureates or famous athletes) is a great way to explore this theme. When you watch one, think:

• What was their most precious achievement?
• Was it the award itself, or the long, difficult journey to get there?
• What sacrifices did they have to make?

Often, you'll find that what they cherish most is the knowledge gained or the challenges they overcame, not the medal itself.

Key Takeaway: Look beyond the surface. In texts and films, "precious things" are often used as symbols to explore deeper themes about life and human values. Identifying these will help you ace your comprehension questions.