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SCMP Reporter

Reading comprehension
Answer the following questions:
1 What does  the term 'astronaut'  refer to?
a. people who do not feel sad about  being separated from their family
b. a family with one member whose work involves frequent travel
c. a person who spends long periods away from their family abroad for work
d. a family with an interest in space exploration  
2 According to Angel Lin Pik-kwan, Hongkongers working on the mainland for long stretches away from their family feel ...
a. that going home to visit their family is a routine.
b. a sense of regret or guilt at missing important family events.
c.  appreciative of the chance to explore a new place.
d. a sense of freedom.
3 What is Wilson Tsang still unaccustomed to on the mainland?
a. cultural differences 
b. the long commute he needs to take to visit his family in Hong Kong
c. being unable to see his wife on a regular basis
d. his salary was not as high as he had in Hong Kong
4 Which of the following descriptions of Jack So's family is not correct? 
a. So thought it impossible to keep up a relationship with phone calls and brief meetings.
b.  So's wife still misses Hong Kong and  he feels guilty about her sacrifice.
c. It is a sacrifice for  So's wife and children to relocate to Beijing, but it is worthwhile because being together motivates him in his work. 
d. So is happy he doesn't have to worry about travelling between Beijing and Hong Kong to see his family.
Think about
1 How important is it  to be with your family?
2 Do you think parents should find jobs in Hong Kong,  rather than the mainland, so they can take care of their families?  What  difficulties  do they face if they  work on the mainland?
3 How  should you choose between work and family?
4 What can people do to make up for long-term separation from their families?
5 If you are planning to study or work abroad in the future, how  would you  cope with loneliness and separation from your family?
6 What are the pros and cons of  migration? Think about the possible gains and what you may have to give up.
Follow-up activities
1 Conduct a survey in your class and see how many of your classmates have parents working north of the border.
2 The Census and Statistics Department conducted a survey in 2008  on Hong Kong people working in the Pearl River Delta. You can read the survey report at  www.censtatd.gov.hk/hong_kong_statistics/social_topics_studies/index.jsp
Answers:
January 14
1. d, 2. c, 3. a, 4. c



social problems