Expand your vocabulary
The highlighted words have been chosen from the South China Morning Post's top news stories to help you improve your word power
Lawmakers have criticised Henry Tang Ying-yen for not doing enough to ease the burden of the grass roots, despite restoring a budget balance three years ahead of schedule and with the year-end surplus set to exceed his estimate of $4.1 billion.
The three-member panel found Mr Leung failed to follow internal guidelines issued by the Buildings Department in September 2000 governing the Building Authority's exercise of discretionary power, the South China Morning Post has learned.
'Some people earlier said they expected interest rates will peak soon, I think it's just wishful thinking,' the de facto central banker said.
Spokesman Stephen Fung, who has three daughters at South Island School, said: 'We are asking the EMB to stop cutting the subvention and fully recognise the contribution of the ESF to the Hong Kong educational system.'
Signalling a new diplomatic tactic, the president sought to draw a distinction between the Japanese people and a small number of Japanese leaders, pointing out it was Mr Koizumi who should be held responsible for the two countries' strained political ties.
While the Pope did not specifically mention China, he said news of the strength of faith shown by Christians who suffered persecution reached him every day.
'I am not saying the government is omnipotent. We ... must be responsive to public views. Strong governance is not an end in itself but the means to achieve the goal of people-based governance,' Donald Tsang said.
Pressure is mounting for an independent inquiry into the shoot-out between three police officers in the heart of Hong Kong's tourist district as more details emerge that cast doubt on the official version of events.
Complete the sentences using the above words
1. In an affluent society, ______________ are often ignored by authorities.
2. Christians often face _______________ in Communist countries.
3. Teachers can exercise their ________________ to excuse a sick student from an exam.
4. In a rapidly developing economy, achieving zero pollution is __________________.
5. Company executives are not _____________; they, too, have to follow the rules.
6. The government has suspended its __________ to a charity after discovering financial irregularities.
7. The ________________ between China and Japan could cause regional instability.
8. With the tension _____________, the striker scored a last-minute winner for his team.
Answers: 1. the grass roots 2. persecution 3. discretionary power 4. wishful thinking 5. omnipotent 6. subvention 7. strained political ties 8. mounting
Explanation: strained political ties - distrust or suspicion, usually involving two or more countries
discretionary power - the ability to act according to your own judgment
wishful thinking - ideas or beliefs not based on solid evidence so they are unlikely to come true
the grass roots - the ordinary people
subvention - grant or financial aid
persecution - cruel treatment of a person or group, especially based on their race or religion
omnipotent - having absolute power or authority
mounting - increasing or rising
