News corner﹕The power of magic
【明報專訊】"Magic has saved me", said magic fan Keanu Ho (何煒麟), 20, whom the Education Bureau (教育局) has awarded a Talent Development Scholarship (才藝發展獎學金) for his remarkable achievements in his studies and personal growth.
Keanu, who has been addicted to magic since he was a child, often borrows books about magic from libraries. He has secretly practised magic tricks in school. He used to have poor academic results and even quitted school at secondary 4. Not until his 18th birthday did he reflect on his failures. His passion for magic motivated him to pick his studies up again. In 2013, he sat for the DSE exam (文憑試) as a private candidate and secured admission to post-secondary studies.
Keanu is now a first-year higher diploma student at Hong Kong Baptist University.
"Without magic, I may have no friends or goals," said Keanu. A part-time magician, he will save the scholarship for taking part in overseas international magic competitions. He wishes to acquire advanced magic skills in the US. (source: Ming Pao)
■Photo story
(see the picture)
Keanu Ho (second right) plans to make use of the scholarship to pursue his magic dream. The other three are also recipients of the Talent Development Scholarship.
■Words
award 授予
higher diploma 高級文憑
magician 魔術師
■Quiz
Choose the correct answers.
(answers on next text)
1. What is Keanu doing now?
a. studying and doing magic
b. doing magic only
c. working full-time
2. How will Keanu use his scholarship?
a. spend on expensive meals
b. take part in competitions overseas
c. take magic courses
3. When did Keanu decide to pick his study up?
a. When he received the scholarship
b. On his 18th birthday
c. After he had read magic books from libraries
4. Which of the following words is similar to "passion" (paragraph 2) in meaning?
a. frustration
b. enthusiasm
c. energy
■Glossary
used to (v phr) 過去經常
reflect on (phr v) 反省
pick sth up (phr v) 重新開始
part-time (adj) 兼職的
