Factual reports

Factual texts that present information clearly and accurately are called reports. The purpose of a report is to record factual information in a systematic way. There are many different types of report and the one you choose will depend on the task you have been given. You could write a report on a bird or an animal. Perhaps you want to write a report about what it was like to live in a particular period of history or about a famous person. Reports usually follow a set format that consists of a general introduction followed by a description and ending with a summarising statement.

Wishing trees in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has many traditions dating back hundreds of years. These are very important even in a modern world of technology and rapid progress. One concerns the very old trees found around the territory. People call them 'wishing trees'. Let me explain why.

There are lots of banyan and camphor trees in Hong Kong and they have massive roots above ground level. They curve and twist into wonderful, imaginative shapes. People think that these trees have mysterious powers.

In ancient times people used to choose a tree to help protect one of their children. When times were hard or if the child became sick or worried, the family would make special offerings of candles, fruit or even wine. Sometimes sweethearts pledge their love beneath the branches of a tree, which becomes a special symbol for the rest of their lives.

Nowadays people tend to visit famous wishing trees. Though they can make a wish any time, visits are more frequent during Chinese days of worship. The Lunar New Year is also a popular time to make wishes.

When they want to make a wish, visitors write it down on bundles of brightly-coloured paper in five layers called 'Ng Bo Dip', which translates as 'Five Treasure Piles'. These papers are red and gold, the colours of good luck. They tie the bundles with strings or roll them up and tie them to an orange. Then they throw the whole lot into the branches of the tree and hope the wind will not blow their wishes away.