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SCMP Reporter

English holds key to Form Six place

Students have only three months to prepare for their HKCEE.

With this in mind, our school conducted a mock exam to test our English skills.

We were very happy that the questions in the paper were in line with the new English syllabus.

But our results were unsatisfactory.  In my group, only seven out of 18 students got a pass, including me.

I wonder whether we would be able to handle the HKCEE English paper.

We won't be promoted to Form Six if we fail the subject.

There's not much time left, so  I hope my friends won't give up and will start thinking about the importance of English.

A Student

Inner beauty is more important

I want to express my views about a controversial issue - cosmetic surgery.

Previously, women who wanted to look beautiful and have a slim body, put on a lot of makeup and attended fitness centres.

But nowadays the trend is to have plastic surgery in pursuit of a perfect face.

I believe that being kind and courteous is far more important than having a beautiful face.

Daisy Tang

Ng Yuk Secondary School

Respect teachers

We are lucky when compared with children in poor countries.

We get nine years' free education, but some of us don't make the best use of it.

They talk loudly in class and interrupt lessons.

We must respect our teachers, otherwise they will lose heart.

Fiona Chu

St Antonius Girls' College

Spare the needy

Under a new government proposal,  domestic sewage charges will increase by an average 9.3 per cent a year until 2017.

This will put a heavy burden on low-income families who may be forced to reduce their water consumption. This could lead to bad hygiene and an increase in diseases.

Raising the sewage charges can enhance civic responsibility, but the needy should pay a reduced amount.

Well-off people should share the extra cost.

Eric Wong Siu-fung

Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka  Ping Secondary School

Dating can lead to serious problems

Dating has become a trend among teenagers who think it is necessary to have a girlfriend or boyfriend.

They may date their classmates or even people who they meet on the internet.

Girls should be extra careful because pregnancy could ruin their future.

They would have to decide whether to have an abortion or have the baby, which would mean quitting school.

An abortion can pose serious health risks so they would have to think carefully before they make their decision.

To solve this problem, schools should teach children moral values and discuss puberty to give them a better understanding about the process of growing up.

In addition, parents should not be embarrassed to talk about sex with their children and point out what is right and wrong.

Koko

Pentecostal Lam Hon  Kwong School

Copyright case a lesson for all

I'm writing in response to the article 'Student gets probation for illegal Net uploads (South China Morning Post, January 18).

The penalty imposed on the student is only the second passed in Hong Kong for such an offence.

He uploaded files to his homepage for sharing with friends, the court heard.

He admitted attempting to distribute 71  audio files, four video files and two pieces of software on  May 10 last year.

We should protect copyright material, and not take advantage of the creativity of others.

It is unfair to download such materials without paying a fee.

Tse Cheuk-ying

Our Lady of the  Rosary College

Opening up can help ease pressure

All teenagers face difficulties but some of them don't want to show their emotions in front of others, not even their parents or best friends.

You don't have to face adversity alone.

Try to discuss your problems with  your teachers, schoolmates or parents.

They could offer some solutions.

Besides chatting, there are many ways to express your feelings, such as writing, exercising, or even taking a warm bath.

Always remember that you must express yourself and be ready to face challenges.

Never give up.

Url

Wah Yan College, Hong Kong

Protect trees

Trees provide oxygen which sustains life but many people want to cut them down.

Then there are hill fires that destroy trees.

So we should protect trees by recycling papers and imposing tougher punishments for deforestation.

Chan Yuk-lee

Be a smart fan

Nowadays many young people choose singers or actors as their favourite personalities.

The days when teenagers picked Shakespeare, Mozart or Newton as their idols are long gone.

Most people admire showbiz stars because of their good looks.

For example, young fans scream and rush to get autographs when they see Edison Chen or Twins.

Other celebrities are also mobbed by their fans wherever they go.

We should choose idols who are role models for society.

We should think about what we can learn from them.

Don't follow your idols blindly.

Beginning today, try to be a smart fan.

Fung Sze-lut

Christian Alliance S.C. Chan  Memorial College

Way to achieve peace

We are studying conflict-resolution techniques at school. We read about refugees who had to flee their war-torn countries.

If we want to make the world a better place, it is very important  that we solve conflicts peacefully.

One way is to share with another person why you feel sad about an incident.

We hope there will be no refugees and wars in the future. We want everybody to be happy.

Johnathan, Andrew,  Alvin and Akash

Sha Tin Junior School

Hands off the Net

Legislation should not be introduced to control publication of materials on the internet.

Apart from hindering the free flow of information, such a move would affect Hong Kong's image as a democratic city.

Foreigners appreciate the freedoms enjoyed by the people here. Our open society has helped the city transform itself from a fishing village into an international finance centre.

Legislation curbing internet activity could have far-reaching consequences.

People should be more responsible when using the internet.

Lau Sze-wai

Our Lady of the  Rosary College



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