Word of the Day (6Charity)

In this week's issue of LRD, we learnt about how some pupils memorise the dictionary to prepare themselves for the RHB-The Straits Times National Spelling Championship this coming Saturday.

Our curiosity piqued, we decided to each find an interesting word from the dictionary. Look at the words below. Do you know their meaning? You might find them useful for your compositions. Scroll down for the meaning of the words. Happy guessing! And spelling! And pronouncing! Don't get your tongues all twisted!

Scintillating

Cantankerous

Recalcitrant

Despondent

Unceremonious

Kohlrabi

Ambidextrous

Pyknic

Quaff

Pugnacious

Emaciated

The following are the meanings of the words:

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Scintillating:  Very interesting (Geetha)

Cantankerous: Ill-natured (Ying Hui)

Recalcitrant: Stubborn / obstinately defiant of authority (Mikka)

Despondent: Feelings of  / showing hopelessness (Anna)

Unceremonious: Rude & abrupt (Varshana)

Kohlrabi: Cabbage with an enlarged & edible stem (Tricia)

Ambidextrous: Able to use both your hands equally well (Cheryl)

Pyknic: Short & fat (Tamara)

Quaff: To drink deeply; gulp (Ashley)

Pugnacious: (someone who is) ready to start a fight (Fiona)

Emaciated: Abnormally thin & weak (Leela)

What is one interesting word YOU have found in the dictionary?

A Place for all Creeds & Races - the former Bidadari Cemetery (6 Joy)

LRD Issue: 10 April 2012
Class: 6 Joy

The former Bidadari Cemetery is just a few bus-stops away from Canossa Convent Primary School (CCPS). If you have ever taken a bus from CCPS to NEX Shopping Mall, you would have passed by the defunct cemetery.

In 1998, the Government drew up a Master Plan for Singapore. In the Master Plan, it was stated that Bidadari Cemetery was to be cleared for the building of houses. The relatives of those who were buried there were informed that they had four years to claim the remains.

Today, the former cemetery is a park. There are also plans to build a New Town. There have been various debates over whether it is right to “destroy” a cemetery to make way for the building of houses. Besides that, there is also the question of whether anyone would want to stay in a flat/house that is built over a cemetery.

What are your thoughts on this? Post your answers to the following two questions as a comment to this blog entry:

• What do you think of “destroying” a cemetery to make way for the building of houses?
• Will you stay in a flat/house that is built over a cemetery?

Penang (6Hope)

Treasures to be Treasured

Singaporeans, in search of comfort food and an inexpensive, quick and relaxing holiday in a nearby destination, often think of Penang as one of the best choices. From the amazing beaches of Batu Ferringhi and stunning views from Penang Hill to the lively food haven in Gurney Drive, Penang has fascinated all her visitors.

However, it is in the quiet streets that we see the real treasures of Penang. The beautiful buildings with their decorative faces, the museum, art, heritage and music, dating from long ago, that we see what we need to restore and conserve so that generations can enjoy them for years to come.

This is also true for us here in Singapore. There are so many reminders of the past e.g. the shop houses in Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam, besides the music, culture and food that we need to remind us of where we came from.

Do you think that we need such reminders? What would you consider worth saving from the past?