PLAY THE GAMES TO LEARN ENGLISH AND WIN PRIZES

YUEN LONG JPC member Wong Bun-shing is the 'Triplets in Trouble' winner for September.

　　Bun-shing, 15, attends the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School, where his favourite subject is Biology. In his spare time he enjoys playing the erhu and riding his bike.

　　Bun-shing plans to use his $600 prize to buy some books and to put into a savings account.

　　He received his reward from Mr Michael Yueng Lai Tong, Manager Yuen Long Division and Yuen Long Branch, HSBC.

　　Congratulations Bun-shing on a job well done!

A SPECIALLY trained group of women police officers is helping to ensure that women, children and the elderly are kept safe during public events. 　　The women from Tango Company are usually called on to help the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) such as Lunar New Year fairs, fireworks displays, public processions and major international events such as the Fortune Global Forum. 　　Tango Company consists of five platoons from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon West, Kowloon East, New Territories South and New Territories North. Tango Company officers practise crowd management techniques 　　The company draws on women officers from various formations who perform regular duties. Attactment to Tango Company is for secondary duty and is for a two-year term. 　　Tango Company Superintendent Mariana Cheung Fung-yee said:"Since our primary duty is conducting crowd management, the main focus of our training is in this area." 　　"Our duties are very essential to public safety and we usually adopt a soft approach when doing our job." 　　Tango Company held its Annual Field Day on October 12 at the PTU Headquarters in Fanling, during which they practised a variety of crowd management and internal security techniques.

How can you keep the Grammar Witch happy? Tell her which word or words in each of these sentences is a countable noun. There are countable and uncountable nouns in the sentences - so be careful! 1. My sister has an interview for a job next week. 2. I urgently need to get some more petrol for my 　car. 3. My computer has been infected by another 　 virus. 4. The ingredients in the drink are just oranges 　 and sugar. 5. The typhoon has caused severe damage.
Help! A noun is a person, place or thing. A countable noun is a noun that we can count, like cups, socks, or trains. Countable nouns can have a plural - one cat, two cats. An uncountable noun is a noun that we can't count, like, water or steel.

If you are ' sitting on the fence, it means that you are
unable to make a choice or a decision.

AS Amy and Aaron bumped along in the back of the kidnappers' car, Amy fumbled inside her bag for her mobile phone. There was just enough light under the coats for her to make out Aaron's face, as it lay close to hers. He looked worried.

　　Amy pulled out her phone, but she couldn't see the keys - and she was afraid it would make a noise. They would have to wait.

　　After just a few minutes the car pulled into an underground car park. The kidnappers got out and slammed the doors.

　　"Ouick!" said Amy, as she peeked out of the window after them. "We've got to see where they are going. I'll follow them while you call the police."

　　"I'll have to find out where we are first," said Aaron, as the pair of them slipped quietly out of the car, once they had been seen the two men disappear up the car park stairs.

　　"OK. I'll see you inside," whispered Amy. "Be careful."

　　While Aaron dashed out of the car park, Amy began to follow the kidnappers. Her heart was beating so fast it felt as if it was pounding through her chest.

　　"Stay calm, stay calm," she kept telling herself, as she turned the corner into the lobby of the apartment block. There was no one there.

　　Amy quickly looked up at the lifts. Only one was in use. She watched the numbers light up as the lift rose higher and higher... 10... 11... 12. It stopped. The kidnappers must be on the 12th floor. Aaron came running into the lobby, clutching the phone.

　　"The police said to wait here. They're on their way," he said.

　　"We can't wait. They might harm the babies. I'm going up," said Amy. Aaron realised by the look on her face that it was pointless to argue.

　　"OK," he said. "I'm coming with you."

　　The pair jumped into another lift. As they headed slowly up to the 12th floor, neither said a word. They were too scared.

　　When the doors opened, Amy and Aaron stepped quietly into the corridor. There were four door, all of them shut.

　　"Sssh ... I can hear something." whispered Amy, moving closer to one of the doors. It was the sound of babies crying. Amy looked round to Aaron and then saw the fire alarm.

(to be continued)

Questions

1. Choose the word that has a similar meaning to 'peeped'.

2. Where did the kidnappers park the car?

3. Choose the word that has a similar meaning to 'gripping'.

4. Who did Aaron call on Amy's mobile phone?

5. Choose the word that has a similar meaning to 'useless'.

6. What did Amy and Aaron hear on the 12th floor of the apartment block?

* Entries to 'Triplets in Trouble' should be submitted no later than December 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.