by Yvonne Tsui and Elaine Yau
SCMP, page A1 & A4 February 4, 2010
1. school reforms 'don't breach the Basic Law
- break, go against -
antonym (opposite): the reforms are inconsistent with the Basic Law
2. The Court of Appeal yesterday upheld the constitutionality of the government's schools management reforms in 2004
- supported the legitimacy, legality -
3. The statement said Catholic schools ... would no longer be genuine Catholic schools one day
- real -
4. It said the reforms hindered the diocese
- handicapped -
5. to conduct their affairs unfettered by government interference
- without being bothered -
6. they have not been debarred
- excluded -
7. Another holdout was less defiant
- negotiator who hopes to get their way by refusing to agree with the decision -
- daring, rebellious -
8. Schools with strong ideological background ... are afraid that their authority will be diluted
- diminish -