Frontpage words - February 11, 2010

by Choi Chi-yuk in Yizhang county, Hunan

SCMP, picture page A1, text page A5 February 11, 2010

1. ... single spark can easily trigger an explosion
- start -

2. each had their own bitter story to tell
- harsh, painful -

3. both hands coasted with silver powder
- covered -

... after finishing her domestic chores
- tasks -

4. it is arduous, intense work for a 12-year-old
- difficult, hard to handle -

5. I wolf down my dinner before throwing myself into the bed
- devoured, ate very quickly -

6. that order fell on deaf ears
- wasn't taken into consideration -

7. the local government clamped down on home workshops last year
- suppressed -

8. on a sweltering summer afternoon
- very hot -

9. I saw a man stagger to the road
- stumbling, walk with -

... all his clothes were tattered
- in pieces -