Acdamic Reading and Writing

Review of Academic Writing (25 Marks)
Read the passage below about elderly people in Hong Kong and answer the questions on the answer sheet.

Use of an Urban Park by Elderly in Hong Kong Kam Hung and John L. Compton Leisure Studies, Vol 25, No 3, 291-311, July 2006

The average annual growth rate of Hong Kong’s population in 2001 was 0.9%. However, the 65 years old and over population increased by 11.1% (Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, 2001). The proportion or those aged 65 and over is projected to rise markedly, from 11% in 2001 to 24% in 2031 (Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, 2002), reflecting a reduced fertility rate and increase in life expectancy (Philips, 1995). According to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, (2002) Hong Kong has experienced a continuous decline in mortality during the last two decades. The rising population will result in a corresponding increase in demand for services for the elderly (Kwan, 1990). According to Chi and Chui (1999), the Hong Kong government has had a policy of providing such community services since the 1970s. However the overall investment in maintaining the psychological and social well-being of the elderly in Hong Kong has been small relative to that in other affluent societies. One consequence of this is that Hong Kong has one of the highest suicide rates among the elderly in the world (Chi et al., 1997). Chi and Chou (2001 p 232) point out that “over 30 percent of the suicide deaths occurring in Hong Kong were of old people aged sixty or over, while this group comprised only 14 percent of the total population. Depression and decline in health are two of the main causes of suicide in later life in western societies (Teague & MacNeil, 1992). Lin et al. (1993) reported that depression is a serious problem among the elderly in Hong Kong with approximately 11% of males and 15% of females reporting they are depressed. Social support has been recommended as an intervention strategy for helping the elderly to recover from depression (Chi & Chou, 2001)

Questions 1 – 6 (refer to the article in the box)

1. How many authors wrote this passage? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4

2. How many sources do the author(s) cite? a) 8 b) 9 c) 10 d) 11

3. How would you cite THIS paper in APA style in an essay on services for the elderly in Hong Kong? a) Kam Hung and John L. Compton (2006) b) Kam Hung & John L. Compton c) Hung, K. & Crompton, J. L. (2006) d) Hung and Crompton (2006)

4. Which of the following is the correct format for a reference for this paper in APA style? a) Hung and Crompton (2006). Leisure Studies, Vol 25, No 3 pp 291-311 b) Hung, K. & Crompton, J. L. (2006). Use of an urban park by elderly in Hong Kong. Leisure Studies 25(3) 291-311 c) Kam Hung and John L. Compton, Leisure Studies, Vol 25, No 3, 291-311, July 2006 d) Use of an urban park by elderly in Hong Kong. By Kam Hung and John L. Compton (2006).

5. In the in-text citation (Chi et.al., 1997) what do the words “et al.” mean? a) There were more than two authors. b) The second author’s name is Al. c) The original author’s given name is Al. d) “et al.” is Latin for “anonymous”

6. Why would you consider this to be an example of formal academic writing? a) Use of formal, academic language. b) Use of in-text citations c) Use of detailed facts and statistics d) All of the above

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Questions 7 - 10 (refer to the website below)

Powis, T & Mitchell, J. (n.d.) Koala profile. NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change. Retrieved 2008, April 16, from http://threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10

7. Write an in-text citation for this website.

(Powis & Mitchell, n.d)

8. What does n.d. mean?

no date.

9. Do you think this website would be a reliable source of information?

no.

10. Why/Why not? because there is no date available.

11. What does A.P.A. stand for? American Psychological Association.