Talk of the town:Hong Kong New Year countdown celebration
【明報專訊】It has been the third year in a row without firework displays since the Tourism Board decided to call off the firework show in Victoria Harbour due to the deteriorating social atmosphere in 2019. In 2020, the show was cancelled again in light of the pandemic situation. Instead, the Board organized a New Year Countdown Concert this year featuring some popular local artists and music performances by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The tickets were distributed through a lucky draw.
Besides the gigantic Christmas Tree placed by the Tourism Board, citizens can find Christmas decorations elsewhere, and probably everywhere. Alluring Christmas decorations can be found in shopping malls like YOHO in Yuen Long and 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui. Christmas markets, such as the seaside Christmas market in Stanley and the Christmas Market and Wine festival in Tseung Kwan O, can be found in almost all districts in Hong Kong.
There are various ways to spend your Christmas and New Year holidays, but most of them involve pricey events and items. Christmas and New Year are chances to share joyfulness with our friends and family, so make sure we do not overspend during the holiday!
◆Grammar booster
Such as
We use ''such as'' to introduce examples.
e.g. He is good at various languages, such as English, French and Spanish.
■ Game
Difficulty:(★★★★)
Eason wants to be one of the members of MIRROR. Can you spot 3 differences between the two pictures?
(See the picture)
■Gear up
1. Citizens can officially purchase tickets of the New Year Countdown Concert online.
(True/ False)
2. There will be no firework shows during the New Year countdown.
(True/ False)
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
in a row (phr) 連續地
deteriorating (adj) 惡化的
distribute (v) 發放
pricey (adj) 昂貴的
[Smarties' Power English 第329期]