Unfortunate Incidents

Drowning
“Stop burning all the food or we will throw you into the canal!” James half jokingly teased his friends. The aroma of the barbequed food lingered tantalizingly in the air as the merry-making went about during James’ birthday party. Peals of laughter rang in the air as presents were opened and exclaimed over.
Suddenly, vociferous screams resounded through the air. “Help! Help! Somebody please help me!” Everyone’s heads spun in all directions trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. From the corner of his eye, James saw an elfin girl running hysterically towards them. Desperation was etched all over her face. When James and his friends reached her, “Sam… Sam… fell into the canal!” she sobbed breathlessly. The poor girl was on tenterhooks. The boys sprang into action immediately.
The boys climbed over the metal parapet and started combing meticulously along the slopes of the canal. The recent downpour had turned the usually subdue flowing canal into a pulsing sea monster. Currents swirled in the murky treacherous torrents. There was no sign of any flailing hands or desperate struggling of a drowning person. Suddenly, a helpless whine drifted over the roar of the water to James’ ears. James had spotted the victim! “Over there… by the branch!” he bellowed urgently and broke into a sprint, pointing to a black spot a few metres away.
Without hesitation, James grabbed a nearby branch and stepped gingerly into the precarious water. Realizing what James had in mind, the rest of the boys immediately formed a human chain behind him, each grabbing hold of the others’ hand in a death grip. Like an expert juggler, James finally got to Sam. After what seemed like eternity, both James and Sam finally made it to safety.
James handed Sam over to the poor girl who was already in sobs and tears. When Sam barked and started spewing water out of its mouth, everyone laughed in great relief. The little puppy had managed to stay afloat after falling into the canal. All the boys looked at James in admiration and he was really glad that he had managed to save a drowning puppy as a birthday present for himself!
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
half jokingly teased
speaking not seriously
2
aroma of the barbequed food lingered tantalizingly   
a pleasant smell of food in the air tempting people’s appetite
3
peals of laughter
laughing loudly
4
 vociferous screams
shouting loudly in a high-pitch voice
5
resounded through the air
echoed in the air
6
pinpoint the source of the voice
locate where the sound is coming from
7
from the corner of his eye
to look from the side of one’s eye
8
elfin
small-sized
9
hysterically
anxious and in great need of help
10
desperation was etched all over
a very worried expression
11
sobbed breathlessly
gasped heavily while crying
12
on tenterhooks
in great anxiety
13
metal parapet
a low protective metal wall
14
combing meticulously
searching very carefully
15
subdue flowing
controlled water movements
16
pulsing sea monster
strong currents of the waters
17
currents swirled in the murky treacherous torrents
dirty waters moving in circular motions forming very dangerous currents
18
flailing hands
hands moving wildly
19
bellowed urgently
shouted hastily
20
broke into a sprint
running very fast suddenly
21
stepped gingerly
walked cautiously
22
precarious
dangerous
23
had in mind
considering
24
in a death grip
hands held tightly
25
after what seemed like eternity
a  short moment that felt like a long time
26
made it to safety
returned safely from danger
27
in sobs and tears
crying very sadly
28
spewing water out of its mouth
vomiting water
29
lookedin admiration
showed respect






Train Crash
The sky was overcast. Dark clouds loomed above giving the sky an ominous feel though rain would come crashing through any time soon. The ride was really bumpy. Being trapped in a small cabin for the next six hours was sheer mental torture. However, thoughts of seeing Grandpa and all my favourite cousins warmed my heart, making this all well worth it!  
“BANG!!” A sudden explosion followed by an earth-shattering jerk shook through the entire train. Everyone was thrown off their seats as the train tilted perilously to its side. I landed on the floor of the cabin in the most ungracious manner, banging my head in the process. Chaos reigned in the train as passengers flew into a panic. The train finally came to a full halt. My train had run off its track!
A glance outside to the once picturesque sights of calm hills filled with greenery was now a major nightmare. To keep my balance was like attempting mission impossible. Everyone was lunging for the emergency exits. People were going berserk just to save their own lives. There was no time to spare. Anxiety charged through my veins. I grabbed the nearest suitcase off the rack and headed for the nearest window. With all my might, I heaved it at the window smashing it. I climbed out of the cabin and onto the muddy tracks. The sight that greeted me challenged my sanity.
Women were screaming, children were crying and men were bellowing above the din for their wives and kids. Dead bodies were strewn everywhere. I groped my way through the turmoil and destruction, doing what I could to help those injured. Fortunately, the rescue team reached the crash site in record time. I was whisked away to one of the hospitals to be treated. I felt thankful to be alive but my heart was heavy knowing that not all were lucky to be so.
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
sky was overcast
the sky was cloudy
2
dark clouds loomed above
rain clouds covered the sky
3
ominous
threatening
4
sheer mental torture
to bring about mental suffering or pain
5
warmed my heart
caused pleasure
6
an earth-shattering jerk
a violent jolt
7
tilted perilously
slanted dangerously to one side
8
chaos reigned
confusion broke out
9
flew into a panic
became very terrified
10
came to a full halt
came to a complete stop
11
picturesque sights
scenic and beautiful surroundings
12
lunging
a sudden forward movement
13
people were going berserk
people were becoming crazy
14
no time to spare
to waste no time
15
anxiety charged through my veins
felt worried
16
heaved
lifted with great effort or force
17
challenged my sanity
tested one’s state of mind
18
bellowing above the din
shouting loudly above the noise
19
strewn everywhere
scattered all over the place
20
groped my way
blindly find one’s way around
21
turmoil and destruction
confusion and damage
22
in record time
very quickly
23
whisked away
moved swiftly away

Car Collision
School was finally over for the week. Being totally bored by the monotony of school, Edwin was feeling over the moon. More importantly, he was extremely exultant about the approaching weekend. Edwin’s spirits were immediately buoyed by the prospect of a weekend of relaxation. The arrival of Edwin’s weekend materialised with the clanging of the dismissal bells.
While Edwin was walking along the hectic road to head home from school, an unconscious smile sneaked onto his handsome face. He envisaged getting his hands on his PlayStation. Out of the blue, a deafening crash interrupted the flow of Edwin’s sweet thoughts. It was such a terrible symphony that even the deaf Beethoven would be able to hear. Coming to an abrupt stop, Edwin turned the corner to investigate the source of the thunderous sound. Edwin’s eyes went saucer-wide when he realised an accident had occurred at the traffic junction. A commotion of crowd had gathered in no time.
Acrid white fumes were ascending into the sky, shattered glass tinged with blood was scattered along the road. Metal crumpled into a heap from the sheer force of the collision. Traffic on the road and the human traffic on the pavement came to a standstill. Two men staggered out of their respective cars. One of them was drenched in blood that was oozing out from his forehead. The latter had some nasty cuts on his face. It was a ghastly sight!
A moment of paralysis struck Edwin, he was stunned speechless. He could not believe he was witnessing the aftermath of a car collision. It was a really painful scene to look at. The gentleman beside Edwin wasted no time, he took out his mobile. To Edwin’s utter astonishment, the guy called the news radio station instead of the police! Edwin was totally appalled by his response. In that second of heated anger, Edwin gave that man a stern tongue-lashing for his inconsiderate behaviour.
Visibly embarrassed by Edwin’s curt berating, the gentleman’s face turned red with shame. “Now, you can either call the police or take your hypocritical concerns elsewhere!” Edwin boomed in a stentorian voice. Without further delay, the man made the police report. Within minutes, the police and the ambulance arrived at the scene. Medical assistance was rendered swiftly to the injured. As eyewitnesses, the police rounded the gentleman and Edwin for their statements. Edwin was commended for his prompt actions, while the gentleman apologised for his earlier inconsiderate behaviour. The news that night reported that the accident occurred because one of the drivers tried to beat the red light. After that incident, Edwin concluded that both motorists and pedestrians should always observe traffic regulations.   
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
bored by the monotony
dulled by repeating activity
2
feeling over the moon
feeling extremely happy
3
extremely exultant
very excited
4
spirits were immediately buoyed
in high-spirits; cheering up
5
prospect
a future idea
6
materialised
became real
7
the hectic road
a busy road
8
envisaged
visualised something
9
a terrible symphony that even the deaf Beethoven would be able to hear
an extremely loud and disturbing noise
10
eyes went saucer-wide
forced one’s eyes to open widely
11
acrid white fumes were ascending into the sky
unpleasant-smelling smoke rising skywards
12
metal crumpled into a heap
metal all crushed up
13
sheer force of the collision
pure force of two cars that clashed into each other
14
came to a standstill
no activity
15
staggered
walked unsteadily
16
latter
the second of two persons
17
a ghastly sight
a horrifying view
18
a moment of paralysis
loss of ability to move due to shock
19
stunned speechless
loss of speech due to shock
20
aftermath
after effects of an incident
21
utter astonishment
a very rude shock
22
appalled
disgusted
23
a stern tongue-lashing
scolding made very strictly
24
visibly embarrassed
obviously humiliated
25
curt berating
direct lecture
26
hypocritical concerns
insincere care and concern
27
boomed in a stentorian voice
loud and powerful voice when scolding someone
28
rendered swiftly
help given very quickly
29
commended for his prompt actions
praised for reacting quickly
30
motorists and pedestrians
drivers and road users
31
observe traffic regulations
follow rules and regulations

Tsunami
Dappled sun rays filtered through the canopy of leaves creating mysterious shadows. A gentle breeze caressed my raven black hair as I skipped my way to the beach for some sun tanning. Suddenly, the tranquillity of my peaceful surroundings was shattered by piercing screams. Throngs of people were running helter-skelter away from the beach. Screams of the word ‘tsunami’ reverberated through the air.
My eyes grew wide as saucers. I saw a pillar of water as high as a three-storey building in the distance. It was bearing straight towards me! Without hesitation, I whipped a hundred and eighty degrees turn and took to my heels. I knew I had to find higher ground to escape the wrath of the raging waves. The roaring of the tumultuous waves grew louder and louder. I was too late. Being no match for the waves, I was soon swept away. I struggled to grab hold of something, but the force of the water was simply too strong.
“Someone save me!” I gasped at intervals, between great gulps of salty and murky water. Just as I thought I was going to die, I felt strong arms pulling at me. Coughing and spluttering, I was dragged onto the rooftop. Fellow survivors had saved me from the grip of the grim reaper. They were my saviours, my heroes! We tried to save as many others as we could. Finally after what seemed like eternity, the flash floods ceased. All around us was the macabre sight of destruction and death. The tsunami disaster killed many and injured countless others.
We were stranded on the rooftop till the rescue squad arrived. For the rest of the day, we went from house to house helping people to salvage their belongings and locate missing family members and friends. The rescue workers combed through the rubble in the hope of finding survivors.
My heart filled with sorrow for those who had lost their loved ones in this tragedy. I prayed that they would be strong and pick themselves up. Nevertheless, I felt thankful that I had survived the ordeal.   
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What the words and phrases mean…
1
dappled sun rays filtered through the canopy of leaves
patches of sun rays shone through the shelter of leaves
2
raven black hair
very black hair
3
tranquillity of my peaceful surroundings
serenity of the calm place
4
throngs of people
a lot of people
5
running helter-skelter
running in all directions
6
tsunami
a large ocean wave caused by underwater volcanic activity
7
my eyes grew wide as saucers
eyes opened very wide
8
bearing straight towards me
heading in your direction
9
whipped a hundred and eighty degrees turn
to turn around completely
10
took to my heels
ran off quickly
11
escape the wrath
flee from the anger of
12
raging waves
strong waves
13
tumultuous waves
very violent and turbulent waves
14
gasped at intervals
panted now and then
15
murky water
dark and dirty water
16
coughing and spluttering
coughing and spitting out (water)
17
grip of the grim reaper
clutches of death
18
saviour
person who rescues another person from danger
19
after what seemed like eternity
after what felt like a long time
20
ceased
stopped
21
macabre sight
chilling display
22
stranded
to be stuck somewhere and unable to leave
23
salvage their belongings
to save from loss
24
combed through the rubble
searched through the ruins
25
my heart filled with sorrow
felt very sad
26
had survived the ordeal
managed to get through the difficulty






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