Hazards

The Destruction of Terrorism
The headlines screamed: Bomb exploded at Northview Park Eatery, thirty people killed, first terrorist attach Singapore has seen. Police leave no stones unturned. This startling piece of news evoked Ryan’s memories of the terrorizing incident.
The sky was delightful expanse of azure blue. The clouds had no place in the morning sky where the majestic sun reigned supreme. Ryan, being a bubbly child, yearned for nothing more than having fun. His heart raced excitedly as his family headed for their scrumptious lunch after thoroughly enjoying their bike ride around the whole of Northview Park. Ryan’s family loves the food at the eatery there and they would never miss a chance to savour it whenever they could.
Ryan’s family located an empty booth and chattered animatedly while his father went to order their food. Suddenly, an earth-shattering blast punctured the vivacious spirits of the Sunday crowd in the eatery. Within a fraction of a second, flames and smoke were whirling in all directions. Ryan was stunned at the shocking spectacle. Everything became tumultuous! People scurried for the exits, shrills and sobs resounded through the air. Intense heat from the raging fire sank into Ryan’s skin. He looked in wide-eyed horror at his motionless father and brother. They were scorched to the bone and charred black. Ryan’s heart throbbed. He could not believe his eyes. In a total state of distraught bemusement, Ryan stood there, rooted to the ground.
Smoke charged into Ryan’s nostrils, depriving him of oxygen. Breathing in the noxious, toxic fumes of the smoke made his head spin. Darkness overcame him. Ryan lost consciousness.
Ryan woke up in the unfamiliar room, swathed in bandages. The pain was overwhelming but nothing was more unbearable than the loss of his kin. With the newspaper in his hands and the pain in his heart, Ryan read the words of the police with a new consciousness, “The acts of terrorism shall not instil fear in people but an indomitable courage to face the cruelties. Justice will prevail.”
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
the headlines screamed
main titles in a newspaper
2
leave no stones unturned
investigate thoroughly
3
startling piece of news
shocking news
4
evoked ... memories
brought up memories of the past
5
the morning sky where the majestic sun reigned supreme
a bright morning with the sun shone gloriously
6
heart raced excitedly
heart beating very fast; feeling very eager
7
savour
enjoy good food
8
chattered animatedly
in a lively conversation
9
an earth-shattering blast
an explosion that shook the grounds
10
punctured the vivacious spirits
disrupted cheerful atmosphere
11
within a fraction of a second
immediate
12
flames and smoke were whirling in all directions
a place filled with smoke and fire
13
stunned at the shocking spectacle
a frightening and shocking scene
14
tumultuous
chaotic situation
15
scurried for the exits
dashed for the exits
16
shrills and sobs resounded through the air
screams and cries filled the air
17
intense heat from the raging fire sank into ryan’s skin
felt the heat from strong fire
18
looked in wide-eyed horror
eyes widened in fear
19
scorched to the bone and charred black
very badly burnt till black in colour
20
his heart throbbed
an intense heartache
21
a total state of distraught bemusement
very upset and in a total state of confusion
22
smoke charged into his nostrils
smoke filled his nostrils
23
depriving him of oxygen
feeling breathless
24
noxious, toxic fumes of the smoke made his head spin
feeling giddy due to poisonous smoke and fumes
25
swathed in bandages
body in bandages
26
the pain was overwhelming
experiencing extreme pain
27
nothing was more unbearable than the loss of his kin
feeling the heartache over the death of one’s relatives
28
instil fear
introduce a sense of terror
29
an indomitable courage to face the cruelties
formidable guts to face distressful matters
30
justice will prevail
righteousness will rule



Trapped
“Remember to turn off the fire on the stove after the fish is fully steamed,” my mother nagged at me before she rushed out to attend a seminar.  
“Yeah..” I retorted.
It was far from exciting to spend my time watching a fish being slowly steamed. I was bored stiff. “Sizzle, sizzle...” went the fire. Soon, I felt tired. Slowly and unknowingly, I fell into a deep sleep. I was abruptly awakened by the smell of smoke. The pungent odour of the smoke was nauseating, making me feel like gagging. I stood rooted to the ground at the scene that greeted me. The hungry flames were spreading throughout the whole house, swallowing every combustible material blocking its path. The blazing red monster was advancing rapidly towards me. Clouds of filthy and queasy smoke billowed out of the windows. I knew doom was awaiting me as the hungry flames engulfed and devoured the burning house. There was no time to salvage the valuables. There was only time to escape from the clutches of death which showed no mercy.
Tongues of flames were leaping speedily towards me. I panicked. It was all because of my carelessness to leave the stove alone and fall asleep. I bolted right out of the kitchen, but alas, fire blocked my escape route. I dashed to the window, frantically trying to open it. Nevertheless, no matter how hard I tried, I could not open it. The window grills were stuck! Fear gripped me. Beads of perspiration rolled down my forehead. I had to do something fast! As a last resort, I lifted a nearby crowbar and hacked desperately at the window. The windows simply refused to give way. I was in utter despair. It was totally useless.
My hopes were kindled when I heard the piercing shrill of sirens in the distance. I stoop up, waved my arms frantically and shouted for help at the top of my lungs. Soon, the fire engines and ambulance arrived at the scene. By then, the whole house was a burning inferno. It was a matter of time before the fire reached me. About a dozen firemen emerged and sprang into action. Firemen in bright uniforms and shiny hats sprayed water from hoses that snaked up the ladders. A brave fireman hacked through the window and rescued me. Within minutes, they had brought the fire under control. After an hour of struggle, the fire was extinguished.
When I saw my mother, I sprang into her arms. Apologies tumbled out of my mouth. However, my mother only heaved a sigh of relief that I was safe. Both of us thanked the firemen profusely. I had learnt a very valuable lesson, not to leave fire unattended. Fire is a good servant but a really bad master!
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
retorted
answered back
2
bored stiff
feeling uninterested
3
unknowingly
unaware
4
abruptly awakened
to be wakened suddenly
5
pungent odour
unpleasant smell
6
nauseating
stomach-churning
7
gagging
vomiting
8
stood rooted to the ground
unable to move, usually due to shock
9
swallowing every combustible material blocking its path
burning everything up
10
advancing rapidly
moving forward quickly
11
clouds of filthy and queasy smoke
smoke that is dirty and revolting
12
billowed
puffed out
13
doom was awaiting me
thinking that one was going to die
14
hungry flames engulfed and devoured the burning house
intense fire that was burning up the whole house
15
salvage the valuables
to gather and save things of value
16
clutches of death
on the verge of losing your life
17
tongues of flames were leaping speedily
fire licking and spreading quickly
18
panicked
overwhelmed with terror
19
bolted
ran away suddenly
20
alas
unfortunately
21
nevertheless
on the other hand
22
fear gripped me
felt terrified
23
as a last resort
in desperation
24
in utter despair
very miserable
25
hopes were kindled
felt hopeful
26
waved my arms frantically
waved arms hysterically
27
burning inferno
huge intense fire
28
emerged
appeared
29
apologies tumbled out of my mouth
spoke in a rush
30
fire is a good servant but a really bad master
fire is very useful under one’s control but dangerous when it is not



























Fire!
It was a silent and tranquil night. Thomas had two more chapters to finish for his crucial examinations the following day. He stifled a yawn and tried to force his eyes open as he stared at the book in front of him obligingly. Gradually, the words started to swim in his face and the tired boy nodded off.
All of a sudden, Thomas woke up feeling parched and gasping for air. Beads of perspiration dotted his forehead. He felt as if he had just been baked in a microwave oven. It was then Thomas realised that smoke was curling into his bedroom from under the door! The word ‘fire’ ricocheted repeatedly and thoughts of himself being burnt like a charred chicken raced through his mind. Thomas ran to the window to investigate further. There was a dishevelled man with matches in his hands running away at breakneck speed! ‘Arsonreverberated through his thoughts. Thomas’ heart was palpitating vigorously and his hands turned cold and clammy.
Pandemonium filled the block of flats that was engulfed in thick ominous black smoke. The fire was like a cankerous monster, showing no mercy to humans. Neighbours were scurrying and hollering for help. While Thomas and his neighbours were making a hasty beeline for the open field, fire obstructed their way and licked the walls menacingly. Everyone was indeed at their wits’ ends! All of them were trapped in the rampant inferno. Smoke penetrated their lungs, robbing them of every ounce of oxygen. It was the wailing of the sirens echoing in the helpless atmosphere that renewed all their hopes of survival! Their immense anxiety turned to relief as jets of water shot like a paralysing dart, extinguishing the hazardous flames.
Within minutes, the fire was put out and everyone was safe and sound. Thomas volunteered all the information he could remember about the arsonist to the police. His righteous self could not wait for the culprit to be apprehended. This incident would forever be etched in Thomas’ mind.
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
silent and tranquil night
quiet and peaceful night
2
crucial
important
3
stifled a yawn
subdued a yawn
4
stared ... obligingly
looked at something out of responsibility
5
gradually
slowly
6
gasping for air
breathless
7
beads of perspiration dotted his forehead
perspiration spread across his forehead
8
smoke was curling into his bedroom
smoke was filling his bedroom
9
ricocheted repeatedly
echoed over and over again
10
burnt like a charred chicken
like an overcooked chicken that has turned black
11
dishevelled
messy
12
at breakneck speed
moving extremely fast
13
arson
setting fire purposely for a criminal reason
14
reverberated through his thoughts
an idea bounced off in one’s mind
15
heart was palpitating vigorously
heart beating very fast
16
hands turned cold and clammy
sweaty palms that were cold due to fear
17
pandemonium
a chaotic situation
18
engulfed in thick ominous black smoke
surrounded by dangerous black smoke
19
cankerous monster
evil influence that is spreading
20
showing no mercy
not giving any chances
21
scurrying
running
22
hollering for help
shouting loudly for help
23
making a hasty beeline
making an escape
24
fire obstructed their way and licked the walls menacingly
fire blocked the exits and was burning the walls furiously
25
rampant inferno
uncontrollable burning fire
26
smoke penetrated their lungs
smoke filled their lungs
27
robbing them of every ounce of oxygen
depriving one of air
28
wailing of the sirens echoing in the helpless atmosphere
sounds of alarm in a terrible situation
29
renewed all their hopes of survival
gave hope once again
30
immense anxiety turned to relief
worries changed to feeling restful
31
shot like a paralysing dart
affected by an immobilising effect
32
extinguishing the hazardous flames
putting out dangerous fire
33
righteous
having a sense of justice




The Campfire
“Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!” Thunderous applause followed the rambunctious cheer from the children that gathered around me. Their innocent faces were lit up by their jubilant smiles. In an orderly fashion, all of them were seated in a circle around me. I roared to life with burst of sparks adding more excitement to the night. All of the spectators’ eyes widened in awe, as I soared higher into the night sky when more fuel was added into my base. I am the star of this gathering, I am the Campfire.
I was set up by the lovely camp leaders. They had conjured me up from wood and fuel. When the clock struck seven, the President of the children camp brought me to life. I leaped and burned with gusto to the delight of all the kids. My flames made a grand entrance, thriving on the solid fuel that formed my base.
The party started. Children’s giggles and laughter reverberated around the surroundings. The young leaders made all the children holler out their group cheers bringing the atmosphere to a new climax. Music blasted from the speakers, my flames danced to the upbeat tempo of the pop songs. The cool night breeze caressed my orange fire, giving me more energy to synchronise with the zesty tunes. The wood crackled loudly as I danced vibrantly. I glowed more brilliantly with each gust of wind that hit my face. Feeding my enthusiasm for boogie, the children joined me in a folk dance. They circled around me and danced in harmony. I was overjoyed, my fire stretched towards the sky!
As the night drew to an end, I exhausted every bit of stored energy from the wood and fuel. My flames dulled to a low glow. I lulled in soft and gentle orange hues as my flames died out in bits. The children sang and danced to their hearts’ content. I was proud to be the centre of attention tonight. As the children returned to their tents to rest for the night, I knew it was curtain call for me. Stars peppered across the chic black night sky, I fizzled out along with the cool night breeze. Being the proud Campfire, I am sure I left wonderful memories for this bunch of kids.   
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
thunderous applause
very loud clapping
2
rambunctious cheer
loud and noisy cheer
3
jubilant smiles
joyful looks
4
in an orderly fashion
in a tidy manner
5
roared to life
became full of energy
6
eyes widened in awe
eyes became bigger due to wonder
7
conjured
made something appear, as if by magic
8
burned with gusto
burned with vigorous zest
9
thriving
making steady progress
10
giggles and laughter reverberated
joyful sounds echoed
11
climax
most exciting point
12
music blasted from the speakers
music sounded loudly from the speakers
13
upbeat tempo
lively pace, especially for music
14
caressed
touched in a loving, affectionate manner
15
synchronise
to operate in unison
16
zesty tunes
lively music
17
crackled
small popping sound
18
vibrantly
dazzlingly
19
gust of wind
a strong sudden rush of wind
20
enthusiasm for boogie
interest in dancing
21
exhausted
used up
22
lulled
soothed and calmed
23
to their hearts’ content
to their satisfaction
24
curtain call
an appearance of the performers at the end of a show to receive applause from the audience
25
chic black night
very dark night
26
fizzled out
ended off weakly






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