Ayounglawyer’s journeytoexcellence
ByMarissaV.Foster
TWENTY-THREE-YEAROLDSufeenaSupaul,who hailsfromthecountyof Berbice,recentlygraduatedfromtheHughWoodingLawSchoolandwas presentedbeforetheNew AmsterdamHighCourtby AttorneyGeneralandHon.
AnilNandlall.Sufeenaac-
knowledgedthatherfamily andcommunitysupport werethemainpillarsof hersuccess.Stemmingfrom ahomewithherparents andtwobrothers,Sufeena stressedtheimportanceof “avillageraisingachild”.
Accordingtothenew lawyer,shegrewupwitha stronginfluencefromher parents.Hermother,aneducator,alwaysinstilledstruc-
tureandtheimportanceof education.Herfather,amechanic,instilledcompassion andgentlenessinherpersonality.Together,theyensured thatSufeenapursuedher dreamofbecomingalawyer byworkinghardtosupport heracademicjourney.Sufeenaemphasisedthather parentsgavehertheplatform togrowandthrive.Shealso receivedtremendoussupport
friendsandalwaysexercisetheirunderstandingand forgivenesswithme,”said Sufeena.Sheaddedthather timespentinTrinidadwas notwithoutitschallenges. Shehadtoadapttoliving alonewithoutherfamily, whichwasadauntingexpereliedonhoursofvideocalls fromvariousfamilymembers whenevershefelthomesick.
fromhergrandparents,uncles,aunts,andcousins—all ofwhomshedescribedasher “village”.
Asayounggirl,sheaspiredtobealawyer.Infact, shementionedthatshewas often‘talkative’,lovedhumour,andhadanaturally
ThatgaveSufeenainsight intothedailychallenges manypeoplefaceandhelped herrealisethetypeoflawyer shewantstobe—onewho serveshercommunityand countryatlarge.
ThePepperpotMagazine askedSufeenaaboutthemost
Sufeenaisnowoneof Guyana’syoungestlawyers, butittookalotofdeterminationandperseveranceon herpart.“Growingup,Iwas alwaysacuriouschildwith manyquestions.Nowthat I’molder,Ihaveretainedthat trait,butinalessannoying manner,Ihope,”saidSufeena.Shecontinued,“Ihave sincelived,andcontinueto live,bythewaysoflearning. Iamalwayswillingand readytolearnandopento guidance.Ithinkweallknow theimportanceofcontinuous learningandthatweshould neverletourprideobstructus fromtakingguidance,even ifitcontradictsourbeliefs.
mationbiasdetractusfrom exploringotheralternatives, andwemustkeepanopen mindinthissocietytoremain fairandjust.Ilivebythese beliefsandwillalwaysstrive tomaintainthem.”
Sufeenaalsowantedto
curiousnature.Shecouldnot thinkofanotherprofession thatbettersuitedthosetraits. Sufeenasaidshewasalways theclassmateorfriendwho triedtocreateasafespacefor others.Shelovedmentorship, andassuch,sheoftenvolunteeredforcertainpositions.
challengingaspectofher academicpursuitinlaw,and shementionedbalancinga sociallifewithherstudies.
“Asmanyofmyfriendscan attest,Itakeawhiletorespondtotexts,hardlymake calls,andrarelyhangout, butthankfully,they’regood
highlightthatpeoplehave misconceptionsaboutpursuinglaw,andshewanted tousethisplatformtoclarifythat.Shementionedthat nooneshouldbescaredto pursuelawbecauseofthe workitrequires.“Whileitis
IMAGINEreachingthe ripeageofretirement,and justwhenyouwerehoping tobaskintheenjoyment ofnothavingtoworkanymore,youhadtobreak barriersbywearingamask ofdeterminationandwillto overcomeprostatecancer, whichhadreachedacriticalstage.
CharlesBrown,70,has beencancer-freesincelast yearwhenheovercameprostatecancerfollowingrigorousradiationtreatmentafter beingdiagnosedatStage Three.
HetoldPepperpotMagazinethatheknewhehadan enlargedprostateduetohis multipleillnesses,including diabetes,heartailments,and hypertension,buthewasn’t awarehehadcancer.
Heattendedtheclinicat GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation(GPHC),where hewentforabiopsy,which confirmedhisworstfears. Brownwas,however,referredtotheCancerInstitute ofGuyana,whereheunderwentverycostlyradiation treatmentafterbeingdiagnosedwithprostatecancer atGPHC.
Hereportedthatheisa survivortodaybecauseof Godandstrongsupportfrom hiswife,children,andother familymembers.
“Iamabeliever,andI kepttrustinginGod,andthe moneycamebecause,atthat expense,”hesaid.
Thankstohisfaithand thegenerosityofothers,he wasabletopaycashfor25 sessionsofradiationtreatsevenweeks.Brownrevealed thatcancertreatmentsare verycostly;hehadtopay $113,000foraCTscanand $770,000fortheradiation sessions.
Brownrelatedthatwhen heneededfourinjections, evenhisneighbour,Mr.Khan (onlynamegiven),supported himandimportedthemfor Brownatnocost.Brownis verygrateful,asthehospital wascharging$100,000per injection.
Thepensioneradded thatalongthewayinhis fightagainstprostatecancer,people,includinghis children,wife,andrelatives, helpedhimcomeupwiththe cash,andhewasamazedat
howthingsfellintoplaceso quickly.
BrowntoldPepperpot Magazinethatafterlearning hehadprostatecancer,he wasn’tbotheredbutrather concerned.Heaskedthe doctorifitwasa‘deathsentence,’andthedoctorreplied inthenegative,sayingthatif itismanaged,thechanceof survivalispossible.
Hesharedthatradiation hassideeffects,whichare stillinhisbody,andhehas toavoidsunlight.Partsofhis bodymustbefullycoveredat alltimes,andhecannotuse scentedsoaps.
Brownaddedthatheeven surprisedhimselfbecause ittookalottoreachthe stageheisatnow.Without anetworkoffamilysupport andearlyintervention,his survivalwouldn’thavebeen possible.
Thepensionerreported thathislifeissomewhatnormalnow,thoughhefollowsa strictdiet,andsomedaysare betterthanothers.
OriginallyfromKitty, Newtown,Georgetown,he relocatedtoFarm,EastBank Demerara,sevenyearsago. Hewasatruck(bush)driver for40years,plyingtheinteriorroutebeforeheretired.
Brownstatedthatbeing
cancer-freeisagoodfeeling. Hecreditshisgoodhealthto God,whohasblessedhim alwaystheretosupporthim, and,ofcourse,hisfamilyand children.
Hesharedthathewasbeginningtofeeldiscouraged, butheprayedalot,askingfor strengthandgoodhealthto hewasabletoovercomethis challenge.Theexperience wasveryfrightening,not knowingwhetherhewould surviveornot.
“Ihadalwayshopedfor thebest.Ihadthewilltolive formyfamily,andwecollectivelycametogetheranddid itbecauseitwashardmentalforusall,butwedidit,andI amhappyforthat,”hesaid.
ProstateCancer
“Prostatecanceroccurs intheprostate,asmallwalnut-shapedglandinmales thatproducestheseminalportssperm.
Prostatecancerisone ofthemostcommontypes ofcancer.Manyprostate cancersgrowslowlyand gland,wheretheymaynot causeseriousharm.However,whilesometypesofpros-
tatecancergrowslowlyand mayneedminimaloreven notreatment,othertypesare aggressiveandcanspread quickly.
Prostatecancerdetected early—whenit’sstillcon-
finedtotheprostategland —hasthebestchanceof successfultreatment. Withearlydiagnosis andtreatment,prostate cancerisoftenhighlycurable.Manypeoplediagnosedwhenthecancer hasn’tspreadbeyondtheir prostategoontolivenormal,cancer-freelivesfor severalyearsfollowing treatment.”(Sourcedfrom Wikipedia)
CancerSurvivor,CharlesBrown
ByShaniyaHarding.
ALLacrossGuyana, changeisnotonlyevident, itisimpactful.Whilewe knowtheinsandoutsofthe country’smassivechanges, transformationsarehappeningattheverybaselevel formanyGuyaneseand inthefarthestpartsofthe country.ThevillageofSiparutaisbestknownforits farmingandloggingindustries,whichhaveseenlittle besidespopulationgrowth inrecentyears.Thecommunityisnowtakingsteps tore-inventitselfaswellas thelivesofitspeople.
Twenty-four-year-old MerindaCharlieisoneof Siparuta’svillagers.Ayoung motherfromMoruca,Merin-
Ayoungmotherwelcomesnewopportunities
dasaysthatlifeinSiparuta hasmadecountlessopportunitiespossible,themost recentbeingtheintroduction ofamachineryoperation programmetothecommunitybyGuyana’sBoardof IndustrialTraining.Although citedasasimpleendeavour, theprogrammehasgarnered tremendoussupportwith dozensofparticipants,many ofthemambitiousyoung women.AmongthemisMerinda,whoseestheinitiative andanewwaytotakecontrol ofherownlife. Merindawasbornand raisedinthecommunityof of10siblings.Shedescribed herupbringingashard.With thedeathofherfatherat
anearlyage,hermother tookontheroleofprovider, whichleftayoungMerinda withmanyhouseholdchores. “Lifeformewashardgrowingup.Myfatherdiedwhen Iwasnine.Motherraised meallbyherselfandsent meandallmysiblingsto school.”Therewere,however,afewsimilaritiesbetween MorucaandSiparuta,with farmingbeingthebiggest. “Wefarmedwithmymotherandmadethingstosell. That’showwemaintained ourselves,”shesaid,adding, “Inmyfamily,therewere10 hadtolookafterthreeofmy siblingsfromwhentheywere twomonthsold.Iwasjust11 yearsold.”
Althoughherearlylife
Merindacreditsherchildhoodwithteachinghermany oftheskillsshehastoday. “Schoolingwashardbecause,inthemorning,Mummygotupatsixo’clock forwork.Ihadtobathe thechildren,putontheir clothes,carrythemtotheir babysitter,thencomeback, putonmyclothes,andgoto school.”Shefurtheradded, “Ilearnedtodothingsthat
mothersawAndrewand askedhimifhelikedme.He said‘yes’,”sheexplained. “Overtheyearssincethen, wegrewtoloveoneanother. Wehaveonechildtogether. We’vebeenlivingheretogetherforalmostnineyears now,”shesaid.
InNovemberof2016,the pairleftMorucaandmoved toSiparuta.“Hebroughtme awayfromMorucainNovember2016.Weworkedon thefarmtogetherandraised themoneysohecouldbring metoSiparuta,”shesaid.AftercomingtoSiparuta,MerindadidnotreturntoMoruca forfiveyears.Duringthat time,shewasgettingused toanewlifeinanewcommunity.
Overtheyears,Merinda hasplayedvariousactive togetusedtothecommunity anditswayoflife.“Istarted workinginSiparuta,trying tofitmyselfintodifferent categories,doingthings: Farmersgroup,Community PolicingGroupmember,and part-timeworkatahealth centre,”shesaid.
Community development
agrownwomandoesatthe ageof10.”
Newbeginnings
Almosteightyearsago, Merindamethernow-husband,Andrew,duringatrip hetooktoMoruca.Thetwo metandsoonbecameacouple,muchtothesurpriseand excitementofherfamily. Merindarecalledhowher mothermetAndrew.“My
Siparutaisamongmany ofGuyana’sruralcommunitiestakingboldstepsto developnewandoldsectorswhilebringinginnew opportunitiesandpeople. AccordingtoMerinda,lifein Siparutahasbeenmoreindependent,withmorespaceto developherself,anexperienceshesayssheisgrateful
MerindaCharlie,motherandprospectivemachineoperatorofSiparutavillage(Samuel Maughnphoto)
ByShaniyaHarding.
OREALLAisoneof Guyana'smanypicturesqueplaces,wherethe onlymorningsoundsare therustleoftreesandthe noisesofafewtroublesomemonkeys.Located River,thecommunityliesat thefurthestendofGuyana, rubbingshoulderswith neighbouringSuriname.Of themorethanonethousand twohundredpeopleinthe community,mostarefarm-
Bridgingtraditionanddevelopment
son,wealsohadaninvasion ofparrotswherethousands cameanddestroyedfruits. Notonlythemangoes,which wereinfullseasonatthat fruits,"hesaid.
theriverhasseentremendous growthinrecenttimes,with thecountry'seconomicboom callingmanyGuyaneseback totheirroots.Sariusshared thathewashappytoseethe peopleofOreallareturn, someafterdecadesspent overseas."Oreallaislocated approximately50milesup theCorentyneRiver.Our villagepopulationisabout 1,200plus.However,the populationisgrowing,"he said."About20%ofour villagerswentabroadforjob opportunities.WiththecurrentboominGuyana,they arereturning.So,ourvillage isexpandingrapidly."
itspromisessofar.Theyare doingtheirpart.Andwe,as residents,alsohaveapartto play.Itwillmotivatepeople tofocusonagriculture,"he said. Agriculturehasbeen
Historically,Oreallahas hadoneofthemostdiverse economiesamongindigenous communities,withlogging, boatbuilding,fishing,and nowtourismbeingsomeof themostprominentplayers inthevillage'sdevelopment.
ThepeopleofOrealla andsurroundingvillages havecraftedauniqueand traditionalwayoflife.However,thecommunityofOreallaaimstoshowtherestof Guyanathattraditiondoes notmeantheabsenceofdevelopment.Currentlyseeking toreinventtheirtraditional andboatbuilding,thecommunityisthinkingofnew andcreativewaystosolve someage-oldissues.
Awell-knowncommunitywithapopularname, notmanypeoplearesure ofwheretheterm‘Orealla’originated.Whilesome saytheArawakwordmeans 'whitechalk,'DeputyToshao ofthevillage,CharlesSarius,saidOreallareferstothe whiteresidueleftbehindby theriverontherockyshore, atitlethatgainedpopularity becauseofvisitingcoastlanderswhousedthewhiterocks asawaytopinpointthethensmallsettlement.
Thesmallcommunityby
Butagriculturehasundoubtedlybeenmoreextensive thanallothersectorscombined.Fordecades,mostof Orealla'speoplehavebeen sustainedbyfarming,particularlypineappleandcash crops.
Inrecentyears,however, thecommunityhasbeen battlingthemostunlikelyof pests:monkeys.According toDeputySarius,monkeys faroutnumberthefarmers, withhundredscausinghavoc onacresoffarmlands."The monkeysareeatingourpineapplesandotherfruits.That isourmainconcernpresently,"heexplained.Parrotsalso destroycrops,withflocks ravaginggrovesofmangoes. "Duringthelastmangosea-
Thedrovesofanimals havenotalwaysbeenachallengeforOrealla’sfarmers, saysSarius.However,with thegrowthinlogging,as moretreesdisappear,animals seemtobemovingcloserto thecommunity.Although othercommunitiesmight considermassextermination, thepeopleofOreallaaretakingamoreanimal-friendly approach.Withmostfarms scattered,thevillagecouncil isdiscussingtheambitious moveofcentralisingthe farmsinasinglelocation. "Fromthevillagelevel,we arelookingatgettingall farmstogether.Asitstands, thesefarmsarescattered, anditisadisadvantage.If wehaveallthefarmsinone location,theywillbebetter protected."
Sariusexplainedthatwith allthefarmstogether,thevillagewouldbeabletoprotect theircropsbetter.Ifsuccessful,thefarmswillbemaintainedbythecommunity, withsecurityandanetwork ofnetsbeingdiscussedas themainformsofprotection. Theissueofmaraudingmonkeysandparrotsisalsobeing addressedatthenational level,withtheministryset tovisitthecommunitytoaid inimplementingtheseplans. Thisinterventionisgreatly welcomedbythecommunity, asistheirappreciationforthe council'sideas."Thegov-
DeputyToshaoofOrealla,CharlesSarius(SamuelMaughnphoto)
OneofOrealla’sthrivingshadehouses(SamuelMaughnphoto)
Fallingtreesandchangingeconomies
Howonetraditionalloggerisembracingmodernchanges
ByShaniyaHarding.
THEloudandsudden soundsoffallingtreesare notuncommonintherich forestsurroundingthe communityofSiparuta. TheRegion6community hashadloggingasoneof itseconomicpillarsfor decades.Now,withtechnologicaldevelopments acrossvarioussectors,loggingisevolvingaswell.In acommunitywherealarge percentageofvillagersare loggers,advancementsin thesectormeanchangesin theirlives.
SunilWongisoneof Siparuta’sloggersandhas beenformorethantwodecadessinceheleftschool
atjust13.Nowamasterof histrade,32-year-oldSunil hasharnessedthetraditional wayofloggingasalivelihood.However,thecommunity’sloggingindustrywill seedrasticchangeswiththe introductionofnewmachineryandskilledpersonnel.As thissignificantshifttakes place,Sunilbelievesthatnot onlywillloggingbecome easier,butmoremachines andskilledpersonnelwill completelyre-inventthe loggingsectorintheregion.
Traininganddevelopment
Guyana’sMinistryof LabourandtheBoardofIndustrialTraininghavemade
machineoperationclasses possibleinthecommunity. Recentinterventionbyboth localandgoverningbodies hasbeennoticeable,says Sunil,withthepresenceof moreresourcesandopportunities.“Sofar,everything mostlyduetothegovernment’shelpandsupport. We’vefoundthatwehave easieraccesstothingsnow, andwehelpeachothermore andmore,”hesaid.
Sunil’schildhoodyears hisfather’sjobasaskilled carpenter,hisfamilygained accesstocertainopportunitiesandresources.This wasnotthecaseforallof thevillage’speople.“When
Iwasgrowinguphere,I youknow.Myparentshad limitedresources,butmy fatherwasacarpenter,and, becauseofhim,Iwasable toreachwhereIamtoday. Hehelpedmealongtheway, andit’sbecauseofhimthat I’mstandinghererightnow,” hesaid.
Findinghispath
GrowingupinSiparuta,Sunilfacedhisshareof personalchallengesafter becomingateenagefather. Thoughstillinschool,he wasfacedwiththeresponsibilityofcaringforafamily. Sunilbeganworkingvarious jobsbeforehefoundhislove forlogging.‘Ripping,’as itiscalledinSiparuta,was acommonjob,andSunil learnedeverythingheknows aboutloggingfromhisbrother-in-law.“AfterIleftschool, Ididsomehunting,butlater Ifocusedonlogging.That’s whenIstartedlearninghow toriplumberwithafreehand chainsaw,”hesaid.
Overtheyears,Sunil hasperfectedthetraditionalwayoflogging,which hedescribesasdemanding workforaSiparutalogger, Sunilexplainsthatateam setsoutearlyinthemorning toventurethroughthethick vegetationsurroundingthe
Thehardestpart,saysSunil, isthetransportationcosts. “Everythingishardabout logging.Butit’shardwhen wehavetobringthelogs backandpayroyaltiesand soon,”hesaid.
AteamofSiparuta’straineesinteractwithmembersfromGuyana’sBoard ofIndustrialTraining(SamuelMaughnphoto)
village.Thesuitabletrees mustbefoundandexamined beforetheyarecutdownand broughtbacktothecommunitytobeprocessedandsold.
fallingtrees.Suniladmits thatthejobcan,indeed,be dangerous,particularlyfor newcomers.“WhenIfirst startedlearninghowtofall trees,Iwasreallyscared. Thethoughtofcuttingdown wasfrighteningbecauseI didn’tknowwhatwasgoing tohappen.Butovertime,I overcamethatfear,andnow SunilWong,loggerandvillagerofSiparutavillage,RegionSix(SamuelMaughnphoto)
Overcomingchallenges
Loggingisconsidered bymanytobeadangerous job,withlongwalksinthe forestandthepossibilityof
Localentrepreneurschampionsafer,sustainable alternativesinfemininecareandnailindustry
RECENTLY,thetrueextentandimportanceof eco-friendlyproductshave becomemoreevidentand withaneco-friendlyversion ofalmosteveryproduct availableinalmostevery country,Guyanaisnodifferent.Thisisduetoahusband-and-wifeduoleading thewayineco-friendly femininehygieneproducts andnownailproducts.
LexanneMcPhoyand TheonAlleynehavebeenat theforefrontofeco-friendly productsintherealmoffemininehygieneandnailproducts.Lexanne,askilledand registerednailtechnician,is theheadofWomen’sHaven, aneco-friendlyalternativeto essentialhygieneproductsfor women.Thepairhavebegun anewventurewithNSINail SalonandNailSupplies.This naturalalternativeeliminates someofthemostharmful chemicalsfoundinnailpolishandsimilarproducts.
November6willseeLexanneandapanelofexpertstinctionsofthesenatural alternatives,markinganother milestoneinGuyana’sjourneytowardseco-friendly beautysolutions.ThroughanneandTheonarenotjust transformingthebeautyindustry–they’recreatinga healthier,moresustainable futureforwomeninGuyana.
SpeakingtoPepperpot Magazineabouttheevent, Lexanneshareddetailsabout theirupcomingGreenNail Salon“LunchandLearn” eventattheRamadaHotel. “Thisisaneventthatwe havefornailsalons,beauty professionals,andnailsuppliers.Wewanttobringnail technicianstogetherwithsalonownersanddiscusshow wecantransformoursalons intoeco-friendlyspaces,” shesaid.
WhatmakesLexanne’s productsuniqueiswhere theycomefrom;shedescribesthemas“Original,eco-friendlier,American-madenailproducts.”
Lexannehopestoshowcase heritemstoGuyanesenail technicians,includingnails, acrylics,andotheritems.
Thepurposeisclearfor thispassionateentrepreneur: tobringtogetherGuyana’s nailtechsandsharetheternatives.“Thiseventis aboutbringingawarenessto eco-friendlyproductsand biodegradablematerialsin ourproductsandpractices,” shesaidandemphasised theinclusivenatureoftheir mission.“It’saseminar,not atechnicaltraining.Wewant toattractnailtechniciansprimarily,beautysalonowners, andevenregularclientswho gettheirnailsdonesothey canchoosesalonsthatusethe bestproducts.”
Lexanne’sjourneyinto eco-friendlybeautysolutions wasn’tjustbusiness-driven–itwaspersonal.“The productsIsupplyarefrom aUScompany,andthey meethigherstandards,”she explains.“Theyarelower-odour,eco-friendly,and freeofcommonallergens foundinbeautyproducts.”
Thetransitionto eco-friendlyproductscame fromherownexperiences. productsthatcouldbesafer forme,thatcouldbehealthiersoIcouldworkandnot havetoworry,”shesaid. “Theseproductsaremade toUS,European,UK,and Canadianstandards.They don’thavesomeofthetoxic chemicalsandallergensthat otherproductshave,which setsthemapart.”
Herpersonalexperience underscorestheimportance ofthischange.“Startingwith thenails,Ibegantofeelthe impactofusingtraditional products;youmightcatch acoldafterabusyperiod orstartcoughing,”sheexplained.
Women’sHaven,Lexanne’sfirstventureinto eco-friendlyproducts,remainsclosetoherheart: “Iownacompanycalled Women’sHaven.Alotof
peopleknowmefromWomen’sHaven,andothersknow mefromdoingnails.Sowe wanttoconnectthetwo,as bothareeco-friendlyventures.Everyday,Ihearso manydifferentthingsand experiencesfromthewomen Iworkwith.”
Fromexperience,Lexanneseesaclearconnection betweenherventures.“Womwiththeirfemininehygiene orwhentheygettheirnails done.Women’sHaven,going eco-friendly,canchangethat forthem,”shesaid.
Theon,herhusbandand businesspartner,bringsa strategicperspectivetotheir mission.“Thebiggestthing isopeningtheirmindsto thepossibilityofearning morebytransformingtheir space,”heexplained.“Once youlearnaboutthisandstart implementingthesechanges, it’seasiertomovefromofferinglow-costtreatmentsto chargingmoreforeco-friendly,high-qualityservices.”
Hispassionforwomen’shealthalsomatcheshis wife’s.“Organicfeminine careisgreatforwomenbecausetheircyclescanreduce fromsevendaystothreeor four.Post-cycle,somewomenfaceitchingorinfections, butoftenit’stheproducts they’reusingthatcauseit. Byinvestinginbettercare, lifebecomeseasierforboth partners,”heshared.
Theonalsoemphasised thepreventativeaspectof theirwork.“Themissionhere isorganicbeauty,health,and wellness.Manywomendon’t pausetofocusonthemselves untilthey’reunwell,andoftenthat’stoolate.Thegoalis ‘AmIbeingashealthyasI canbewiththeproductsI’m usingandtheexperiencesI’m having?’”hesaid.
Theduohopestocreate amajorshiftintherealm offemininehygieneand beautybypromotingmore naturalalternativesforthe Guyana.
Husbandandwifeduo,LexanneMcPhoyandTheonAlleyne(DelanoWilliamsPhotos)
BEFOREtheartofthealphabetwassculptedinstone,wediscoveredthatthefruitwe observedotherspeciesoftreeclimberseatingcould,apartfromappeasingourhunger,
theneedtointerprettheotherterriblecreaturesofourworldthatwouldharmusand
Withtime,deeperobservationwasadded,whichledtofurthershapingoffamiliarimagery.lenge—acreatureofawe,atestofourbraveryandskill,ourabilitytosurvive,andourneed toshapetheworldaroundusdevelopedanothertalent:thatoftheinspirationofthescribe.
Thesetalentswereopenedtothetribe,allowingthemtoquestion,suggestadditions,developbeliefs,and,aboveall,createlaws.Thecapacitytodrawandsculpttheworldaroundus
Thisgavepurposeandinterpretationtoourrelationshipwiththeworldandoursenseofbeenvelopedourspheres”fromatribalperspective.
Itwasthecreativeartsthatenabledtheevolutionofourspeciesdespitechallengingcliseasonsascontrolledby‘Gods’,withpriesthoodspresidingattimescontrarytologic.Inareas ancientKhemetcouldnothavetriumphedwithoutmethodslikeirrigationsystemsdeveloped teachingsandtheindependencethatallowedthecreationofmindslikeImhotep.
Whenwelookattheoldestscripts,fromancientKhemettotheMaya,therearelanguages writtenbygraphicdesigners—hieroglyphs,stonesealsfromtheIndusValley,claytabletsof theSumerians,Chinesecharacters,andbeyond.Artwasacrucialingredientonthepathto whatwenowtermcivilisation.
ofworksofartandartefactsisheldinsuchhighesteem,oftentobeconcealedbeforeeven -
“Heyandhankimaharani Oh,JaiLaxmiRani”
foranswers,foramiracle.Onthefourthweek,hiseyes opened,andslowly,daybyday,herecoveredfromhis injuries.Butsomethingwaswrong.
Hewasnotthesameperson.
Findingloveonanauspiciousnightwassomethingshe helddear,andjustasSeetahadstayedwithherhusband inexile,LaxmiwouldstaywithRanbiruntilhefoundhis wayoutofthedarkworld.
Storiesofbattle,fate,andlovefromtheHinduscripturesaretoldandretold,andforonedevoteenamedafter Laxmi—theGoddessofLight—asadstoryunfolds.Ina mandir,inaquietareainthecountryside,shesat,hereyes closedinprayer,mesmerisedasalwaysbythedevotional songs.Often,hermindwouldtravelbackintimetotheperiodofkings,mortalgods,demons,andbattles.Fromalittlegirl,hermindhadbeenimpressedbythehistoryofher Hinducultureandreligion,andasshegrewup,sheread manytextsthatgaveheradeepsenseofunderstanding.
EpicstoriesfromtheRamayanaandMahabharataheld herinawe,andtonight,asthetruedevoteeshewas,she sang,recountingonepartofthestorywhereitallbegan— ShreeRam,themortalgod,wasborn,hisexile,andhis returnonthedarkestnightwhenearthenlampswerelitto illuminatehispath.
andhiswifeSeeta,andshewondered,“Willmyhusband, myRam,everreturn?”
Forfouryears,shehadheldontohopeandfaiththat darkworldwherehewaslostandreunitewithher.They hadbeenayoungcouple,marriedforjustoverayearwhen tragedyintrudedontheirlives.
Hehadbeenridinghomefromworkonhismotorbike onenight,havingworkedlate,whenaspeedingTundra, drivenrecklesslybyadrunkdriver,hithim.Themassive threadforweeks.Theshockhadshatteredherworld,but herfaithwasdeep,andsherefusedtoacceptthefactthat hischancesofsurvivalwereveryslim.
“No,”shehadcried,“Heisn’tleavingme,hecan’t leaveme.”
Shehadprayeddayandnight,imploringthegods
causingmemorylapses,andtheconclusionfrommedical expertswasthathemightneverfullyregainhismemory. Itwasadevastatingblowforher,hisfamily,andeveryone whoknewhimasayoung,ambitiousman,butherfaithdid
Tearsmistedhereyesasshereachedhome,andlying inbed,herhandtouchedtheemptyspacebesideher.She whispered,“Imissyouso much.”
SEEPAGEXI
FROMPAGEIX
Onthedoctor’sadvice, shehadbroughthimhome, forheneededloveandcare thatwerelikealifelinetohim.Shespokeinhersoft voiceandsangsongsforhim,hopingtheywouldtrigger thebeautifulmemoriesofthelovetheyshared,butjust worsewhenhestartedhavingmanicepisodesthatcaused himtobehaveaggressively,andhisdoctoradvisedthathe beplacedunderpsychiatriccare.
Ithadnotpleasedherhearttodoso,butsheandhis familywereleftwithnootheroption,havingtriedeveryprogresswouldbeslowbutthatoneday,hemightrecover andbehimselfagain.Fouryearshadpassedby,hisprogressslow,andduringhervisits,wheneverheremembered her,hewouldholdherhandsandcry,adeeppleainhis eyes.Everyday,sheprayed,“PleaseLord,sendmyhusbandbacktome.”
Manypeopleinhislifehadgivenuphopethathe wouldeverrecover,andsomeadvisedhertomoveon withherlife.
“You’reyoungandbeautiful,”theyhadsaid,“With yourwholelifeaheadofyou.Whywaitforhimwhen there’snocomingback?” themiracleofprayers.” upsomuchinherlife.
“HowcanIgiveuponaloveblessedbythegods?” shehadaskedherself.
Forthepastthreeyears,sincehewasunderpsychiatric care,shehadlitadiyaforhimonDiwalinight,waitingas theoilburntlow,hopinghewouldcomehomeandcallher name.ButherRamhadstillnotfoundhisway.Sheturned, huggingthepillowbesideher,andhereyesclosedinsleep.
Forthenextthreedays,Laxmidedicatedherselfto preparationsforDiwali,lendinghercreativeskillstoher mandir’sintricatedesignforthemotorcade—astunning displayofcolour,glitter,andlights.Onthenightofthe sentathrillofpridethroughherbody.
“Iwishyouwerehere,Ranbir,”shesaidquietly,asoft cryinherheart,“Itwasanightlikethiswhenwemet.”
Hersadnessweighedheavilyonher,andshedidnot attendtheculturalshowwithherfriends,preferringtobe alonewithhermemoriesandthoughts.
“Iwonderwhatyouaredoingrightnow?”
Asuddenthoughtoccurredtoherthatshecouldgoand thedoctor,whothoughtitwasagoodidea,andthemale nurseletherin,standingbyincasethepatient’sbehaviour becameaggressive.
Ranbirwasstandinginhisroom,facingthewall.Callinghisnamesoftly,shewaitedforhisresponse.Ashort momentlater,heturned,hisheadstillbent.Shecalled hisnameagain.Heraisedhisheadslowly,runninghis handthroughhisthickhairthathadgrownabitlong,and thinkinghehadmadefurtherprogressinhisrecovery,but thedulllookinhiseyesdampenedherhope.
Nevertheless,sheshowedhimthepicturesonher madetocallhim,butthenurseattendantshookhishead slowly,andwithaheavyheart,sheturnedtoleave Asshewalkedoutofthedoor,sheheardhimsayina quiettone,“Laxmi.”
onehelplessmoment,becauseoffate’sstumblingblock intheirway,theystoodtherelookingateachother,both crying.
nightwhenShreeRamcameoutofexile,guidedbythe GoddessofLight—amostbeautiful,wondroussight.
Laxmilitadiyaatheraltar,buttonight,asshedidher pooja,shedidnotaskthegodsforablessingoramiracle. Sheclosedhereyesandspokeinsteadtoherhusband,from thedepthsofherheart.
“I’mwaitingforyou,Ranbir,tohearyourvoice,ifnot today,maybetomorroworanotherday.Imaygrowold, youmaygrowold,butwhateverhappens,Iwillalways loveyou.”
whilelater,shewasawakenedbyRanbir’svoicecalling her,“Laxmi.”
burning,butallwassilent.
“Imusthavebeendreaming,”shesighed,andasshegot
upfromthesofatogotobed,sheheardhisvoicedistinctly callinghername.Sherantotheverandahandsawhim standingatthegate,asrealasever,hisdoctorwithhim. “Ranbir!”shecried,rushingdownthestairs,gasping forwords,“Areyou…?Haveyou…?”
last,whothebeautifulwomanwaswiththesoftvoiceand sweetestsmile,whohadnevergivenuponhim—hiswife. “Imissedyousomuch.”
airasshestoodinherhusband’sarms,afewdiyasaround stillalight.Herdeepdevotionandlovehadlightedapath Diwalinight,shewasreunitedwithherRam—themiracle ofprayers.
DIWALIonlybecameanationalholidayafterIndepenwhollytotheIndiancommunity.Withtheadventof Independence,itwasfeltthatthecountrywouldbecome moreintegratedandstrongerifthevariouscommunities learntmoreaboutandsharedineachother’scultures. Thus,HinduandMuslimholydays,whichwerepreviously holidayssothatallcommunitiescouldparticipateinthem, andDiwaliwasamongthemostimportant.
Itsspiritual,religious,andcelebratoryaspectswere universalistic,sothewholenationcouldeasilyandhappily participateinitscelebrations.Itsmessagewasthatlightwill prevailoverdarkness,truthoveruntruth,justiceoverinjustice,unityoverdisunity,andloving-kindnessoverhatred, anger,andviolence.Thesespiritualteachingsaremanifested inhumanactivitiesandconstantencountersbetweenhuman beings.Thecelebratoryaspectsincludehospitalityextended
toneighboursandstrangers,singing,dancing,andmusic,with decorationsandbrightlightsandcolourspervadinghomes andcommunities,withdiyassymbolisingthis.
TherichestandmostimportantaspectofDiwaliisthe traditionsthathavebecomeattachedtoitasitmovesthrough theirteachingthatlightwillovercomedarknessandgood willalwaysprevailoverevil.Thethreetraditionsprevailing inGuyanaarethereturnofLordRamafrombanwas(his exile),thekillingoftheevildemonNarakasura,andthe overarchingpresenceofMahaLakshmiandthemanyvirtues
KingDasaratharuledovertheprosperouskingdomof Ayodhya.Histhreequeensborehimthreesons—Rama, Lakshmana,andBharata.Thethreesons,unliketheirmothers, wereveryclosetoeachotherandsharedadeepmutuallove. ThesonwhowastosucceedtothethronewasRama,whowas verypopularandrespected,excellinginwhateveractivities heengagedin.EveryonelookedforwardtoRamaasheir apparent,exceptBharata’smother, whodesiredhersontobeking.
She,therefore,manipulated theoldandweakkingtosend Ramaintoexilefarawayinto thedeepjunglefor14years,duringwhichBharatawould rulethekingdom.
BharatasawtheinjusticetowhichRamawasbeing subjectedandrefusedtositonthethrone,placingRama’s slippersonthepedestalandvowingthatifRamadidnot returnattheendofthe14years,hewouldtakehisownlife. Rama,hiswifeSita,andbrotherLakshmanathensetoutfor theirexile.Duringhisexile,Ramaexperiencedmanytrials anddangers,andthesearerecountedinthefamousepic, theRamayana.
Attheendof14years,thepeopleofAyodhya,with greatrejoicing,lituptheirhomesandplaceddiyasalong thestreetstowelcomeRama,Sita,andLakshmana.This last5,000years.
TheotherDiwalitraditioncommemoratedinGuyanais thestoryofNarakasura.Narakasurahaddivineancestryand hadperformedthemostexactingofthetapasya(penances), whichmadehimequalinpowertotheGods.Heapproached LordBrahmaandrequestedboons,ashewasnowentitledto do,andaskedtobemadeimmortal.LordBrahmatoldhim thatthegiftofimmortalitywasforbidden,buthecouldask forsomethingelse.Heaskedthathecouldonlybekilledby hismother,knowingthathismotherwouldneverkillhim. Hethentooktoalifeofterrorisingtheinhabitantsofthe HeavensandEarth,committingmassiveatrocitiesuntilthe peopleofEarthpetitionedLordVishnuforsalvationfrom thedemon.TheonlybeingcapableofmatchingandeliminatingthedemonwasLordKrishna,andtheGodspersisted forhimtoengagethedemon.
WhensettingouttobattleNarakasura,LordKrishna’s wife,Satyabhama,insistedthatsheaccompanyhim,which hereluctantlyallowed.KrishnaandNarakasurastruggled
shothimdeadwithherarrows.Shewasabletokillhim because,withoutbeingawareofit,shewasthereincarnation ofNarakasura’smother.
ThepopulationsoftheHeavensandEarth,beingfreed ofthispervasiveevil,wereoverjoyedandcelebrated withilluminationsandfeasting,whichareperpetuatedin present-dayDiwalicelebrations.Narakasura,inhisdepredations,hadkidnapped16,000womenwho,havingbeen underthedemon’scontrol,wereconsideredoutcastsand ostracised.Torescuethemfromthisterriblefateandrehabilitatethemintosociety,LordKrishnamarriedall16,000.
MorethantheNarakasuratradition,theworshipof MahaLakshmipermeatesDiwali.MahaLakshmiper-
INthe1950s,amilitarysurgeonbythenameofAmbroise Parérecordedthephenomenonof‘phantompains’forthe oftenlostlimbsduringtheirperiodofservice,especiallyin person’sbody,theycontinuedtoreportfeelingsensations
Thephenomenonofphantompainisveryrealandisstill frominternalorgansthathavealreadybeensurgically
Nestleddeepwithinthisstrangeandunfortunatephenomenonisasimplemetaphorthatcanbringsomeofourown troublesintoaninterestingperspective.Phantompainscanbe soseverethattheycandriveapersontoastateofhopelessnessanddepression.Evenifthepainitselfweremanageable, thefactthatitmightneverbecuredortakenseriouslyasa medicalconditioncoulddriveapersontotheedgeoftheir limits.Insimplerterms,awholehumanbeingcouldbebroken intopiecesnotbypain,butbythemereghostofit.Though theysurvivelosinganentirepartoftheirbody,theybecome trappedbyitsphantom.
Animportantpartofgrowingupisfacingobstaclesin ahealthyway.Ofcourse,obstaclestendtooccurinevery aspectofourlives.Theyalsohavetheabilitytofallwithina continuumthatdeterminestheexactextenttowhichtheywill inawaythatcorrelateswiththeirnatureandseriousness. Moreimportantly,itisvitalforustounderstandwhento stopthinkingaboutanobstacle.Everystruggleweencounter duringthecourseofourlivesisanopportunityforgrowth. However,ifwerefusetomoveonfromourstruggleseven aftertheyhaveended,thenthereisnowayforustogrowor learn.Webecometrappedbythephantomofanobstaclethat hasalreadybeenremovedfromourlives.Thisishowfactors youngpeople.
Wearenostrangerstotheoldadage,“Don’tcryoverspilt milk”.Thesewordsremindusthatevenwhenweexperience negativesituationsinourlives,wemustnotlingeronthe thingswehavelostoronthethingswehavefailedtogain. Instead,wemustfocusonwhathappensnextandhowwecan healandmoveonfromthepast.Thisistheonlywaytoensure thatwearenotcapturedbyourownformof“phantompain”.
Humanbeingsarecomplexandwonderfulcreatures.We havetheabilitytomapoutstarsandbuildcitieswithnothing morethanthesheerstrengthofourcollectiveminds.Our dreamshavethepowertoshapereality.Ourthoughtshave thepowertoshapeouridentities.Withallthisinmind,itis nowonderthatwhenwechoosetofeedthepowerfulengine ofourmindswithnegativethoughts,webegintofeelquite lossesofthepast,wewilleventuallyconvinceourselvesthat wearestilllivingthroughthem.
ourpreciousenergyrecountingthepastthathasalready
THIStimeofyearisusuallyknownasthepeakseason forgraduations.Itcanbeanexcitingtime,butitcanalso bringasenseofworry.Manymaybegintoworryabout theirfutureandwhatliesahead,suchasjobreadiness andemployment.Ivividlyrememberthechallengesof transitioningintoacareeraftercompletingmystudies attheUniversityofGuyana.Youaretaughttheessenpractices,andvaluesthatunderpinyourprofessionor secondaryschool,youareseldomtaughthowtojoin theworkforceandhowtonavigatejobpreparationsuccessfully.Thiscanseemlonelyandevenoverwhelming. youngstudentsandgraduateswhoarenowpreparing fortheworldofwork.
Employersarenowdemandinginnovativeworkerswith uniqueskills.Thejobmarketisverycompetitive,andas such,youneedtobeontopofyourgame.Youneedtoset navigatetheprocessofgainingemployment.Oneofthe mostcriticalaspectsiscompilingaCurriculumVitae(CV). Whenmostemployersrequestapplications,theywillask gainingemploymentaftergraduating.Mybestadviceisto researchtemplatesforaCVoruseappssuchasMicrosoft WordorCanvatohelpyoucreateone.ACVisbestwritten whileyouarestillstudyingsoyoucancapturetheessence ofyouracademicactivities,suchasparticipationinstudent societiesorvolunteering.ACVshouldgiveaconcisepicture ofyoureducation,experiences,skills,titles,awards,andjobs youhaveheldinthepastorpresent.ACVmustalsonotbe jobandskillsrequired.
Inmostcases,aftertheapplicationprocess,aninterview isrequired.Ioftendescribejobinterviewsastheopportunity toseeifyou“walkthetalk.”ThefactthatyouwereshortlistedforaninterviewmeansyourapplicationandCVwere mostlikelyimpressivetotheinterviewer.Theinterviewis whereyouarequestionedaboutyourinterests,competency, andskills.It’sgoodtopractisewithmockinterviewswith trustedfriendsorassociates.Ensureyouresearchthecompanyororganisationyouareapplyingtoandhaveagood understandingoftheirmissionandvalues.Landingyour dreamjobisagreataccomplishment,butevenifyoudon’tgroupandtryagainwithotheropportunities.
Aftergraduating,IgotthejobIwanted,butIsoon realisedthatIstillneededtogrowprofessionallyand academically.Thatwasnottheendoftheroadforme, anditcertainlyshouldnotbetheendforyou,either.I urgeyoutocontinuebuildingprofessionalnetworks,seek developyourskillsandacademicpursuits,andalsomaintainaprofessionalsocialmediapresence.Currently,the demandsforemploymentarealsochanging,especiallyin Guyana.Certainskills,suchassocialmediamanagement, arehighlyvalued.Youcannowconsiderpart-timeemployment,remotework,andevenseasonalemployment. Therefore,itisessentialtounderstandthesedemandsand investinyourself.Theworldofworkcanseemintimidatingforsome,butwithresilienceandpersistence,youcan excel.Goodlucktoallthenewgraduatesof2024—Ihope thatthisarticlehelpsinyourpursuitofexcellence.
Building
FROMPAGEIVfor.“InSiparuta,peopleliveindependently.”Shefurtheradded,“In
Merindasayssheseesthe demandforoperatorsandis
Now,amotherofasix-year-oldson,alsonamedAndrew,Merindasharesthathersonnowhasaccesstomanyjorgenerationalchange.“ThingsIneverhadwhilegrowingup,mysongetsaccesstothemveryeasily,”shesaid. ThiscomingDecember,MerindawillbeoneofSiparuta’s severalfemalelicensedmachineoperators,something asteppingstoneandwillopenawiderangeofopportuniwherelicensedmachineoperatorswillbeinhighdemand, andMerindaplanstobeattheforefrontofthisshift.“I anddothat,”shesaid.
FROMPAGEV
thebackboneofthevillage formanyyears,whichmay bewhyOrealla'syoung peoplearelessinterested villagecouncilisworking toreignitetheirpassion forfarmingbyintroducing newprojectstokeepthe "Presently,theyoungpeople
arelookingatagriculture wehavechangedthatway agriculture,ourfarms,into business,"saidtheDeputy growing,passionfruit,and othercropsthatareinhigh
However,farmingisnot
theonlyareathevillage isaimingtodevelop,with plansinmotiontoadvance everythingfromdrainage andirrigationtotourism andinfrastructure.Theseateaself-sustainingcommunitythathonoursits indigenousheritagewhile embracingmodernopportunities.
ALTHOUGHallmammalshaveteeth,mostdonot
paredsugarsolutionstomeals plussnacksandfoundthatcarbohydrate-richfoodsthattend toclingtotheteethweremorelikelytocausetoothdecay thansugarsolutions.Thesefoodsarenotnecessarilythose fromthemouthmorequicklythansomestarch-containing foods.
Themajoremphasisonsugarandsugar-containingfoods asbeingimplicatedintoothdecayhasshifted.Itisnow knownthatmanycarbohydrate-containingfoodstraditionally believedtobetooth-friendly,suchasbread,havethepotential tocontributetotoothdecay.Forexample,starchyfoodslike breadleadtotheproductionofacidbyplaquebacteria,and allfruithasthepotentialtocausetoothdecay,yetweshould continuetoeatthesefoodsforpleasureandbecauseoftheir
theimportanceofdietintoothdecay.However,incountriesquentintakeofcarbohydrate-containingfoodsremainsan essentialfactorintoothdecay.
factorsinpreventingtoothdecay.Thefollowingtipsprovide adviceforhelpingtokeepteethcaries-free.
Begindentalcareearly;startbrushingteethassoon
Ayoung lawyer’s journey to....
truethat‘thelawisajealous mistress,’itdependsonwhat youvalueandwhereyour determinationliesasaperson.Aslongasyouaremotivated andlovewhatyouaredoing,itwillnotbehard,andyou tobeoverlyexhausting.Overtime,itbecomessomething youdoratherthansomethingyouhavetodo,”saidSufeena.
TheBerbicianlawyerhasalreadystartedaprivate isalreadyhalfwayontheroadtogainingexperience, thatshewillneverneglectthataspectofpractice,asshe
Fallingtreesand changing...
I’mmorecarefulwitheverythingIdo.I’velearnedalot fromthoseearlydays.”
Thecurrenttrainingin Siparutaisjustoneofvarious initiativesslatedfortheregion.Machineoperationwas ofparticularimportanceto Sunil.Overtheyears,hehas seenverylittlechangeinthe waylogginghasbeendonein thecommunity.Theaddition ofnewskillsmeansnotonly theexpansionoftheexisting loggingsectorbutcouldlead toentirelynewsectors.“I’m happywiththetrainingwe’re doingnow.It’simportantfor mebecauseIwanttopass thetestsoIcangetabetter jobinthefuture.Thework
wedo,especiallylogging,is verytough.You’reoutthere allday,drinkingyourwater, dealingwiththeheatfromthe sun,andthenyouhavetoget upanddoitallagainthenext day.Butwiththistraining,it’s helpingusalot.It’smaking thingssimplerandmoremanageable,”hesaid.
operatorstakeatestandthesetestsandgetthesenew -
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcomedearreadingfriend.Anotherway tohelpyouunderstanda textistobeaskedtouse itsinformationtocomplete anothertext.Canyou, fromagiventext,predict
possibilities,extractrelevantpoints, andrelatetheinformationgivenin thetexttothatofanothertext?All right.Whynottryreadingagiven letterandthenwritingaletterin answertoit?Thisactivityisnatural foranygoodreadertoparticipatein successfully.Bewise.
Loveyou.
READINGTHEPASSSAGE
A..Readingcomprehension Readthepassageandthenrespondtoallthequestionsbelowit.
Veryoftenpeoplearekilled,or propertyisdestroyedbynaturaldihurricanes.Ofallnaturaldisasters, hurricanesareprobably,exceptfor earthquakes,themostdestructive.
Hurricanesusuallystartinthe tropicsovertheoceananddevelop betweentheperiodJunetoOctober. Theyconsistofstrongwindsand rain.Asthehurricanedevelopsthe windsspinaroundwithgreaterand greaterforce.Tobeconsidereda hurricanethewindsmustexceed 120kilometresanhour.
Ahurricaneconsistsoftwo parts.Theouterpartofthehurricaneconsistsofstrongwinds whichmaycoveranarea80to800 kilometreswide.Thestrongwinds surroundtheeyeofthehurricane. Theeyeisarelativelycalmareaat thecentreofthehurricane.Theeye isabout20kilometresindiameter andhasfewwindsorclouds.
Althoughthestrongwindsof ahurricanemayexceed120kilometresanhour,thehurricaneitself movesforwardslowlyandmay moveatanaveragespeedof20 kilometresanhour.Asahurricane leavestheoceanandmovesover land,itbeginstoweakenandgraduallydies.
1.Anaturaldisasteriscausedby (A)man’snegligence.(B) tornadoes.(C)nature.(D)earthquakes.
2.Inyourownwords,howdo hurricanesusuallydevelop?
3.Inordertobeconsidered ahurricanethespeedofthewind mustexceed (A)800kilometresanhour. (B)30kilometresanhour. (C)500kilometresanhour. (D)120kilometresanhour.
4.Thewidthofahurricanemay rangefrom (A)80to800kilometres.(B) 500to800kilometres. (C)240to800kilometres. (D)120kilometres.
5.Howmanypartsdoesahurricanehave?
6.Whenthecentreofahurricanepassesoveranarea (A)somepeoplemaybelieve thehurricaneisover.
(B)mostofthepeoplegoto
safety. (C)mostpeopledie.(D)themostdamage occurs.
helpedyoutochooseananswerforquestion6?
8.Whichofthefollowingstatementsistrue? (A)Ahurricanemovesforwardwhenitswinds stopspinningaround.
(B)Thewindsinahurricanedonotspinaround. (C)Thewindsinahurricanespinaroundand moveforwardatthesametime.
(D)HurricanesoccuronlyinJuneandOctober. 9.Whyistheeyeofahurricanedescribedasa ‘relativelycalmarea’?
10.Abouthowlongdoesthehurricaneseasonlast?
11.Whydoyouthinkthehurricaneweakenswhen itleavestheoceanandtravelsoverland?
(A)Thewindsmovetooslowly.(B)Ithasgone (C)Thestrongwindsmeettoomanybuildings. (D)Itreceivesnomoreenergyfromthesea.
12.Thepassagegivesinformationmainlyon (A)tornadosandhurricanes.(B)thepartsof ahurricane.
(C)thecharacteristicsofahurricane.(D)how ahurricanedevelops.
B..Readingcomprehension
Readthepassagebelowcarefullyandthenanswer allthequestionsthatfollow.
“Myturnnow,”saidBobby,andtheothersranto hideashestartedtocount.Celiawashuntingfora goodhiding-placeamongthetreestothefencewhen sheheardalowhiss.Shelookedkeenly,butthough hereyeswereusedtothedarkness,shecouldseeno one.Thehisscameagain–surelyfromverynear?
Celiaturnedthiswayandthat,tryingtoseewith herwholebody,topiercethedarkness.Asthesound cameagain,sherushedstraighttowardsitandthen outstretchedhands.
Thensherealisedwhatthescampsweredoing. moonlessdarkofthenight,theirbrownskinswould maketheminvisible.Theirpants,beingadullkhaki, werequitesafefromdetection.Shewantedtolaugh out,butBobbywouldbesuretohear.Infact,hewas alreadycomingintheirdirection.Celiawashastily pushedbehindJiggsandcautionedtostayabsolutely still.AsBobbyapproached,itgaveherastrangefeelingtoknowthathewaslookingstraightatthemand couldnotseethem.Shefeltasthoughshewasreally invisible,asifsheneededhisseeingtomakeherreally exist.Shefeltlikeinsubstantial,aghost.Bobbycame searchingearnestly.
Andso,timepassed–daysofschoolworkand afternoonsofplay,Mrs.Wilsonhadgreattrouble tryingtogetthechildrentosettledowntoserious homeworkduringtheevenings.DingoandJiggshated anyformofregimentationandcouldnotseewhythey shoulddomoreworkathomethantheydidatschool. ThisofcoursemadeCeliareluctanttodoherworktoo. Onedaymatterscametoahead.
(AdaptedfromJayMoore,“TheCousins”)
1.Whatgameswerethechildrenplaying?
2.WhydidDingoandJiggsremovetheirshirts whileplaying?
3.WhatdidtheboysdotomakeCeliacallthem ‘scamps’?
4.Identifytwophrases,oneinparagraph1andone inparagraph3whichindicatethatthechildrentookthe gameseriously.
5.Quotetheevidencefromparagraph3that suggeststhatCeliawasuncomfortablewithnotbeing seen.