Pensioners appeal against Kwu Tung developmentTearful pleas to save homes

WELFARE secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung () was caught off-guard when an elderly man kneeled before him.

The man pleaded on Tuesday for the gov-ernment not to demolish the Kwu Tung ( ) elderly care homes in Sheung Shui ().

The dramatic scene occurred during a meeting of the Legislative Councils () welfare panel.

The plea by senior citizen surnamed Leung seemed to have some effect as Cheung said the construction planned for the area was not urgent and the government would be fl exible.

The care homes in Dills Corner Garden (

) are situated at the centre of a gov-ernment development plan for the northeastern New Territories (). They house about 950 elderly residents.

Leung, who appeared on behalf of other residents, told lawmakers, I hope Cheung will let me live a good life with three stable meals every day. If [the care home] is to be demol-ished, Ill become homeless.

Another pensioner surnamed Wan from the area said he lived a comfortable life in Dills Cor-ner Garden. He became miserable when told the government wanted to demolish his home.

As he spoke, Leung suddenly kneeled down and begged Cheung, causing Wan to break down in tears.

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Senior citizens protest against the proposed demolition of an elderly care home in Sheung Shui. (Sing Tao Daily)

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An elderly man kneeled down before the welfare secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung during a meeting of the Legislative Councils welfare panel. The man pleaded for the government not to demolish the Kwu Tung elderly homes in Sheung Shui. The care homes where he lives are situated at the centre of a government development plan for the northeastern New Territories. Cheung said the area is not urgently needed and the homes can remain there for now.

Key Idea

P03 Text : Anvil Ong Photos : Sing Tao Daily

Choose the best answer:1M: not prepared

E: The protesters change of course caught the police off-guard.

E: The quiz last week caught most students off-guard.

off-guard (adj)

2M: ask for something that one wants very much,

in a sincere and emotional way

E: The thief pleaded for mercy when the police caught him.

E: The mother pleaded with the kidnappers for the release of her son.

plead (v)

3M: pull or knock down a building

E: The factory building will soon be demolished.

E: The government has plans to demolish all old buildings in the district.

demolish (v)

4M: sudden, and often surprising

E: He found it hard to deal will all the dramatic changes.

E: There have been dramatic improvements in the healthcare system.

dramatic (adj)

M: steady and not likely to move or change

E: He lives a stable life in the countryside after retirement.

E: The country is politically stable.

stable (adj) 6

5M: that can change or be changed easily to suit

any new situation

E: We are fl exible about the fees we charge.

E: We fi nally found a more fl exible approach.

fl exible (adj)

7M: very unhappy

E: The gambler now leads a miserable life.

E: He looked miserable after being scolded by the teacher.

miserable (adj)

Vocabulary Reading ComprehensionM : Meaning E : Example

Answers on P12

Thursday 15 May 2014

LS in a nutshell Learning Card

It is one of the 10 major infrastructure projects for economic

growth announced in the chief executives 2007-08 Policy Address.

What is the New Development Areas?

Kwu Tung North (), together with Fanling North () and Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling (/) were identified as suitable New Development Areas () earlier by a government study. The areas will have a total population upon full development comparable to other new towns such as Tuen Mun () and Tseung Kwan O ().

1. Where did the man kneel before Matthew Cheung?

A. outside the Legislative Council B. at the Legislative Councils welfare

panel meetingC. in the streetsD. at the Legco building entrance

2. How did Cheung react?

A. he said government plans cannot be changed

B. he said the government would be fl exible

C. he did not respond D. he apologised for the governments

decision

3. The government is planning to develop _____.

A. the northeastern New TerritoriesB. the southeastern New TerritoriesC. the whole New TerritoriesD. old towns in the New Territories

4. How many old people living in care homes will be affected by the governments plan?

A. about 500B. about 950C. about 1,150D. about 2,000

5. He is speaking on behalf ____ the other residents.

A. asB. ofC. toD. no word is needed

6. The development plan is not _____.

A. fastB. swiftC. quick D. urgent

Knowledge

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