PLAY THE GAMES TO LEARN ENGLISH AND WIN PRIZES

WAI Sze-nga is our first winner for the 'Triplets in Trouble' competition, launched in the April edition of the JPC Monthly Newsletter. 　　Sze-nga, 13, attends the Chiu Lut Sau Memorial Secondary School and has been a member of the Yuen Long JPC Club since 1999. 　　At school, Sze-nga enjoys Mathematics and Art. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, photography and music.

　　A devoted daughter, Sze-nga intends to spend some of her $600 winner's prize on a birthday present for her dad, as well as on some books for herself.

　　She was presented her winner's cheque by Mr Michael Yueng Lai Tong, Manager Yuen Long Division and Yuen Long Branch, HSBC.

NEW pouches to hold batons have been put on trial. 　　About 100 new baton pouches have been distributed for a two-month trial to a variety of formations including Emergency Units of the five land Regions. 　　The new baton pouches are made of durable and elastic fibre with an open top and bottom and slit down the side. This allows the baton to be drawn more quickly, vertically as well as horizontally. 　　The open bottom also allows the baton to be carried while fully extended. 　　The existing nylon pouches have a cover flap which has to be undone before the baton can be withdrawn, and only vertically.

The new pouch allows batons to be withdrawn more quickly and conveniently

　　The new design provides multiple position options that make it more comfortable to use and wear, especially when sitting.

　　Manufactured locally, the pouch is the only one of its kind and was specially designed for the Police Force.

　　Support Wing Superintendent (Field) Felix Law Chuk-hung said the new design took into account views of the Weapons Training Division and frontline staff.

How can you keep the Grammar Witch happy? Tell her which word or words in each of these sentences is an adverb. 1. Little Tom tiptoed silently towards the box of 　biscuits. 2. When Dad suggested going skating, the children 　cheered excitedly. 3. Grumpily, James slowly climbed out of bed. 4. We often go to Singapore on holiday. 5. Our dog barks loudly when anyone knocks on our door. Helpful hint: An adjective describes a verb. Adverbs tell us how, where, when and how often something happens. Extra helpful hint: Many adverbs end in -ly or -ily).

If you 'throw cold water over something' it means that you are being
disparaging or unenthusiastic about something.

AS Amy walked home from school, swinging her heavy bag from side to side, a thought struck her.

　　"What if the triplets become so famous they have to go and live in Hollywood or something?" she wondered, hoping desperately that this would happen soon. She resolved to help Ying-ying, Ying-yen and Ying-kai do just that, but she knew deep down that it was pretty unlikely.

　　As she approached her building, Amy saw a removal van parked outside her apartment block.

　　"I wonder if someone new is moving in?" she thought. As she walked up the steps to the lobby she noticed that the van driver was looking flustered. She heard what she thought was the sound of babies crying coming from inside the van.

　　"Oh no, not more children," she thought as she waited for the lift. "That's the last thing I want."

　　As Amy got her keys out, she noticed that the metal gate wasn't closed properly. "That's odd," she said, walking inside and calling out for her mum and dad.

　　"Hello! I'm home!" she said, but only heard a muffled sound in reply. "Hello? Mum? Dad? Gran?" she called out softly, wondering where everyone was. Then Amy saw a badly-written note taped to the door of her parent's bedroom. She pushed open the door and cried out in horror.

　　Inside the room, Amy found her mum, dad and grandmother. Their hands and feet were tied up and they all had gags over their mouths. Their eyes widened as Amy approached them, imploring her to set them free. Amy pulled the gag from her mum's mouth first.

　　"My babies!" she cried out. "They've taken my babies!"

　　Amy pulled the gags off her dad and grandmother and quickly untied them all.

　　"It was two men," her dad told her. "They came in, threatened us with a gun and took Ying-ying, Ying-yen and Ying-kai. They only just left before you came in. Did you see anything?"

　　Amy remembered the removal van outside their building and the sound of babies crying. She raced out of the flat and ran the 10 flights of stairs down to the ground floor.

　　When she got outside, there was just an empty space in the road. The van had gone.

(to be continued)

Questions

(* Note: Some answers may require more than one word.)

1. What kind of van does Amy see outside her apartment building?
2. Choose the word that has a similar meaning to 'quietly'.
3. In which room does Amy find her mum, dad and grandmother?
4. Choose the word that has a similar meaning to 'recalled'.
5. What did the men threaten the Chan family with?

* Entries to 'Triplets in Trouble' should be submitted no later than July 12 to PPRB, 4/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, through district JPC Clubhouses, or by faxing them to 2861 0167. Please state your name, JPC number and club. The winner will receive a $600 cheque.