HISTORY LESSON: Life During The Japanese Occupation

During the Japanese occupation, some people were placed in prison where they had to behave normally, regardless of their race and religion. The four hundred of them bathed together everyday with a piece of soup in their hands and waits patiently for the water to be switched on. They were to be fast in everything they do. My father died in prison due to dysentery, which was an infection causing severe diarrhoea. There were many diseases and infections in the prisons. During morning assemblies, we had to sing the Japanese national anthem and was supposed to bow to the Japanese Emperor. We are supposed to bow to a soldier when you see him. If we do not bow to them, we would get harsh beatings by the Japanese.

128 Words

World

World

ICELAND CLOSES AIRPORTS FOR THE FIRST TIME DUE TO VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD

Iceland will close two airports on Friday for the first time, a week after ash from an Icelandic volcano forced the shutdown of airspace over much of Europe and stranded thousands of passengers around the world. It is really sad to see people stranded in Iceland. Just because of this Volcanic ash, people travelling will not be able to reach back to their own home town. I think that this is the worst volcano erruption yet.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/22/iceland.airport.closures/index.html

Southeast-Asia

Southeast-Asia

ONE POLICE OFFICER KILLED, 31 WOUNDED IN THAI SOUTH

I feel really sad that a police officer was killed. The two people riding on a motorcyle threw an M67 grenade at the officers shortly after they had assembled to observe the national anthem at their station in Pattani provice. I think that these people are really mean. Many more people could have died. That police officer actually risked his life to save the people.


http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SGE63K036.htm

Exercise 4

Did you have a favourite TV show as a child or youth?

Yes I do have a favourite TV show as a child. I used to watch this TV series called 'Hi-5'. It was a group of 5 people - 3 girls and 2 boys. Their names are Kathleen, Kelly, Charlie, Nathan and Tim.
In the beginning of the show, they would sing and dance to a song. When I was younger, I remembered that i always used to dance and sing to the music. After that, they will have their own segments.

Kathleen's segment:
She would always do an activity. However, this little 8-legged monster called 'Jup Jup', who always hides in Kathleen's small square doors, will always try to ruin her activity. Fortunately, she always completes it well, by finding other equipments to complete her activity. Isn't she smart?

Kelly's segment:
She has this puppet called 'Chatterbox' whom she always spends time and talks to. Chatterbox is really cute as she has glasses and nice long hair.

Charlie's segment:
She would always dance and sing to music. Sometimes she would act it out too. To me, her segment is actually the shortest among the rest. Sometimes, she has this swing, which was connected to the ceiling which was nice. I wish that I had one too!

Nathan's segment:
He would always go on adventures which was really interesting. Some props were quite interesting too!

Tim's segment:
Tim is a musical person. Therefore, he plays all sorts of instruments. He is really talented. Sometimes, he will asked the rest of the group to come, and play some instruments and sing. It was really nice.

Their music are always lovely. I remembered that i was totally crazy about them, and bought many of their CDs. My mother threw them all away as i got bigger. Now, the main crew of 'Hi-5' are getting old and retired, therefore, the younger generation are taking over now. To me, the old 'Hi-5' is still the best!

Exercise 3

1. Sam (8 years old) is watching the pump attendant fill petrol into his father's car from the rear window. Write a dialogue for a conversation between the boy and pump attendant.

Dialogue :

Sam: Hello.
Pump Attendant: Hello little boy.
Sam: What are you doing?
Pump Attendant: I am filling petrol into your father's car.
Sam: Why are you doing it?
Pump Attendant: I am filling petrol in cars because if the car is out of petrol, the car will not be able to move. Therefore, your father will not be able to drive it.

Sam: Is it dangerous?

Pump Attendant: Well, to me it is not. Because I have been filling petrol in to my customers' cars for 10 years already.

Sam: Is petrol expensive?

Pump Attendant: It depends on the amount of petrol the customer wants in his or her car.

Sam: Are there always so many people coming here?

Pump Attendant: Well, yes. Many people would come here for filling up petrol in their cars in order for it to move. They can also come here to have a car wash or buy anything from the shop right over there.

Sam: Why do you always have to help people to fill petrol? Can't they do it themselves?

Pump Attendant: Well, some people do not know how to fill petrol in their car. That is why our company here has many pump attendants, to help our customers pump petrol into their car.

Pump Attendant: Are there anymore questions?

Sam: No, I do not have anymore questions. Thank you very much for answering all my curious questions, and my father just came back. Goodbye Mr Pump Attendant!

Pump Attendant: You're welcome. Goodbye little boy!

Exercise 2

I have learned that during wars, most of the people were in danger. Although Bruno was German, he lived in an unpeaceful environment. His father was a German Commander, therefore, he was in charge of the soldiers who sent Jews to concentration camps. The Germans were very cruel to the Jews and therefore killed most of them, by putting them into a room and putting out poisonous gas. If I was a German, I would feel very pitiful for the Jews just like how Bruno felt. A role model is Anne Frank, a Jew. She was very lucky to have survived by hiding with her family. But when the Germans were going to take hold of the Jews, they had no choice but to surrender, therefore, Anne Frank's life was in danger. Just because of one man - Adolf Hitler, most of the Jews were dead. Even though Bruno and Anne Frank were supposed to be enemies, they both died the same way. This is a really sad event, and therefore, lets hope there will not be anymore wars in the future.