Aug 10, 2010, STRAITS TIMES



NDP 2010

White -hot PASSION

white : pervading and everlasting purity and virtue

Looking smart in their white ceremonial uniforms, the Republic of Singapore Navy's Guard of Honour contingent marching past the old Supreme Court.

GRAMMAR

STANDING ramrod straight, Lieutenant Li Yong Rui cut an imposing figure in his white No. 1 uniform - the ceremonial outfit he wears at official functions.

He 1. _______(bark) a command.

On cue, a powerful bellow 2. _______(come) from a 25-pounder cannon - one of six at the War Memorial Park along Beach Road near the Padang - as it belched a thick cloud of white smoke.

The cannons 3. ________(fire) off at 60-second intervals as President S R Nathan 4. _________(inspect) the front row of the marching contingents over at the Padang. It was a moment Lt Li, commander of the presidential gun salute, will not forget.

'Right before I give the command, I can't describe the feeling. I'm thinking, 'The President is actually here. The whole sequence of events 5. _______(go) to be started by me',' said Lt Li, 22.

'And when it actually fires, it's so powerful and loud, it feels so awesome.'

He is no novice at the National Day Parade, 6. _______(participate) on three previous occasions.

But as the commander of the gun salute, yesterday's was the best, he said. 'The salute is for both the country and the President. I 7. _______(shock) and honoured to be chosen,' he added.

Precision and order were on display throughout the parade, from the RSAF's crowd-pleasing aerial display to the marching of the 30 contingents.

Wild cheers 8. _______(greet) the mobile column, which made a return after five years.

As the 210 battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles trundled past City Hall, spectators 9. ______(whip) out their phones and cameras to record the impressive display of military might featuring vehicles like the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank.

'This is my first time 10. _______(celebrate) NDP at the Padang and my first time being so close to all these vehicles. It's very exciting,' said Mr Govindaswamy Lakshmanan, 43, an executive at a garment manufacturing company.

Just moments before the mobile column made its way 11. ______(pass) the parade ground, Captain Michael Luo, 25, marched along the same stretch as part of the Guard of Honour contingent from the Republic of Singapore Navy.

'Standing on the parade ground, representing not just the navy but also the Singapore Armed Forces, I'm at a place where many people would want to be, but not many get the chance to be there. I'm honoured to 12. _______(select),' he said.

Match the following meanings with the correct word form the passage.

1. Very rigid or straight and stiff. ___________

2. Impressive in size and bearing; dignity. _______________

3. To gush out _________

4. A representative group _____________

5. A loud shout ___________

6. Great wonder, marvel ____________

7. A connected series of events __________

8. Beginner _____________

9. Accurate _____________

10. Haul, wheel , roll, spin _____________

11. In the air ___________

12. Moveable ________________

13. A powerful army ___________

Comprehension

1. Give two words to show the appearance of the Lieutenant Li .

2. What happened when the 25 pounder cannon was fired?

3. Explain which moment will be etched in Lieutenant Li’ s memory for a long time?

4. What was the spectators’ reaction when the tanks and armoured vehicles trundled past City hall?

5. Why did captain Micheal Luo felt honoured?


ANSWERS


Grammar – 1. Barked 2. Came 3. Were found 4. Inspected 5. Is going 6. Having participated 7. Was shocked 8. Greeted 9. Whipped 10. Celebrating 11. Past 12. To have been selected


Vocabulary – 1. Ramrod straight 2. Imposing figure 3. Belched 4. Contingents 5. A powerful bellow 6. Awesome 7. Sequence of events 8. Novice 9. Precision 10. Trundled 11. Aerial 12. Mobile 13. Military might