20 minutes both exercises

disheartened

Clinging to life
Bangkok Post, SUNTHORN PONGPAO
Pim Khongsomthob, 58, the motorcycle taxi driver
who was stabbed in the back by a 14-year-old thief,
is recuperating from the 20-centimetre-deep wound that the thief inflicted upon him.
The otherwise ordinary robbery in Phachi district, Ayutthaya, became news because the poor, old
man put up such a fight. To protect his only property, the old man fought off the teenage thief and
drove home even after he was deeply wounded.
If I had died, everyone in my family would have been in great distress. If he had killed me, it
would have been like killing every single member of my family too.
Pim is one of those people who has endured poverty and misery throughout his life. Born into a
poor family, Pim was forced from home at the age of six because his mother died and he could
not get along with his stepmother. He earned a living by collecting empty milk cans to sell.
According to his wife, Pim has done all kinds of hard work to find money to support his family.
He once worked as a garbage collector for the Sukhaphibarn. He was hit by cars so many times
that there probably isn't a bone left in his body that hasn't been broken. But he has never been
discouraged. He never complains. After every injury, he would rush back to work even if his
injuries had not yet healed.

1. Define the word recuperating

2. What wound did the thief inflict on him?
3. Why did the robbery become News?
4. How old was Pim when his mother died?
5. Why would you assume he stopped being a garbage collector?

Boy pays tuition by collecting trash

Bangkok Post, CHAIWAT SADYAM
Garbage may be worthless to most people on
vacation in this seaside tourist town in Prachuap
Khiri Khan, but its invaluable to a local 11-year-old
boy who pays for his schooling with daily scavenging.
At 7am, towing a makeshift cart, Manop Chandee whose
nickname is Max leaves his ramshackle house for school.
Immediately after classes, he wanders the tourist town alone
until 2 or 3pm collecting garbage.
Afterwards, he returns home to sort the scrap and then sells it.
His friends accompany him occasionally but normally they're glued to chairs in computer-game
shops in Hua Hin, the boy said.
Max is the fourth child in a family of five children. His parents are construction workers who can
barely afford to raise their children so he must collect garbage to pay his way through school.
He has done this for three years, earning 30-40 baht a day.
Amornrat Owart, Max's teacher at the Hua Hin municipal school, said the boy was diligent, helpful
and appeared happy. He often helped out at school, for example, taking out the garbage.
Sunanta Taekchor, another teacher, said Maxs family was poor so the school gave him free
lunches.
The boy goes to school in a threadbare uniform and riding on his small, old bicycle.
Both teachers were stunned to learn that Max collects scrap to pay for his education.
He will start his fifth primary school grade this semester. Max says his dream is to become a
motor mechanic one day.
1. Define the word ramshackle
2. How does Manop pay for his schooling?
3. Why do his friends not help him in the afternoon?
4. How much does Manop earn per day?
5. What do you think is the responsible social answer to helping kids like this?
(50 words)