Spark Study Buddy (Explorer): Hong Kong helpers’ enjoy day at Disneyland
This page has an easy read with questions to test your understanding and work on your English skills.
The Li Ka Shing Foundation treated 4,200 Hong Kong domestic helpers to a day at Disneyland, aiming to create happy memories and show appreciation for their hard work. Photo: HandoutContent provided by British Council
[1] The Li Ka Shing Foundation gave 4,200 domestic helpers in Hong Kong a free trip to the Disneyland Resort last month. The aim was to thank them for their help to local families. The workers each got a one-day ticket, HK$80 (US$10) on their Octopus cards and meals worth HK$365. The project cost the foundation HK$1.86 million, not including the ticket prices.
[2] According to the Disneyland website, a one-day ticket costs HK$669. This means the total value of the tickets was about HK$2.8 million. The theme park and the foundation worked together on the project. The charity was set up by well-known businessman Li Ka-shing.
[3] The foundation said it wanted to “create unforgettable happy memories for those domestic workers who are working hard in Hong Kong and far away from home”. The number of helpers who received the benefit is up by 5 per cent this year from the 4,000 in 2024.
[4] The news about the event generated more than 700 comments from helpers within three hours on a social media page run by the SCMP. Most of the posts from the helpers asked for information on how to obtain the free tickets. A spokeswoman for the foundation said it did not have information about whether another round of free trips would be organised beyond January 26.
[5] “This is the second time the Li Ka Shing Foundation has worked with Hong Kong Disneyland. We are grateful for Disney’s support and pleased that the foreign domestic workers really enjoy it,” she said. “We look forward to continuing this meaningful initiative with Disney.”
[6] Facebook user Jhulie Marie Balmores wrote: “Thank you for the free ticket, lunch, dinner, popcorn and free Octopus card with HK$30 inside.” Another user, Anne Hurga Calaunan, thanked the foundation for “spoiling helpers”. “It was the most wonderful moment in which I was able to participate and share with my friends,” she said.
[7] Rhei Gidal, another user, said: “How to avail ticket pls, I have not experienced going to Disneyland.” Meanwhile, Margarette Danao wrote: “What a generous guy! Long live Mr Billionaire,” referring to Li Ka Shing.
[8] The initiative is supported by five non-profit organisations that work closely with domestic helpers. These include Help for Domestic Workers, Splash, Enrich, Pathfinders and Mission for Migrant Workers.
Source: South China Morning Post, January 17
Questions
1. What did each domestic helper receive according to paragraph 1?
A. HK$365 worth of meals
B. HK$80 transport allowance
C. a one-day Disneyland ticket
D. all of the above
2. What is the name of the charity mentioned in paragraph 2?
3. In paragraph 3, how many domestic workers received free tickets to Disneyland last year?
4. What did most people who commented on the social media page want to know?
5. … domestic workers thanked the Li Ka Shing Foundation for the generous programme.
A. Much
B. Little
C. Many
D. Few
6. Write the plural form of the following items. (3 marks)
(i) ticket
(ii) lunch
(iii) popcorn
Answers
1. D
2.the Li Ka Shing Foundation
3. 4,000
4. how to get the free Disneyland tickets
5. C
6. (i) tickets; (ii) lunches; (iii) popcorn