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SCMP Reporter

Reading Comprehension
Answer the following questions:
1 Which currency is valued higher? 
a. Chinese yuan
b. Hong Kong dollar
2 Which company does NOT use the one-to-one exchange rate? 
a. Sogo
b. Spaghetti House
c. Marks & Spencer
d. Disneyland
3 What percentage of Hong Kong's tourists come from the mainland? 
a. less than 30 per cent
b. more than 50 per cent
c. 80 per cent
d. 10 per cent
Word Power
Match the following words with their definitions below:
1 equivalent
2 surcharge
3 disparity
4 convenience
5 legislator
6 trifling
a. something that increases comfort, or saves work or time
b. someone who creates or enacts laws
c. an additional sum added to the usual amount  or cost
d. the same as; equal to
e. of little worth or importance
f. difference; distinction
Language Focus
Avoiding passive voice
Bestselling author Stephen King once wrote that the passive voice was for 'cowards'. Why? In the passive voice, the writer is avoiding the responsibility of making the subject the 'doer'. 
In the active voice the subject 'does' something to the object. In the passive voice the object has something done to it by the subject. Both forms are grammatically correct, but the active voice is much stronger! 
For example: 
active voice: The writer sharpened his pencil. 
passive voice: The pencil was sharpened by the writer. 
Change the following sentences from the passive to active voice. If the subject is not specified, use yourself. 
1 The dogs were walked by my sister today. 
2 George was expected to land at noon. 
3  My story will be finished in an hour. 
4  Mary was approached by a talent agent.
Think about
1 Why is it more expensive to use 400 yuan to pay for a HK$350 ticket than 350 yuan to pay for the same ticket? 
2 Why would local companies be reluctant to use official exchange rates? 
3  Why do you think the Hong Kong Tourism Board hasn't received any complaints about the one-to-one exchange rate?
Answers:
Reading comprehension:
1. a, 2. c, 3. b Word power:
1. d, 2. c, 3. f, 4. a, 5. b, 6. e  
Language focus: 
1. My sister walked the dogs today. 
2. I expected George to land at noon. 
3. I will finish the story in an hour. 
4. A talent agent approached Mary.




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