Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

SILVER CHASING

I Silver is among one of the first metals used by humans. In ancient times,
silver was first crudely hammered from a solid block into the desired shape.
From there, man progressed to using a variety of methods including
chasing, to produce elaborate designs on all kinds of objects made from
silver, from cutlery to necklaces and water vessels to coins. 5

II Silver chasing is a labour-intensive finishing technique that requires the

chaser to have a whole lot of patience, imagination and steady hands. The
technique makes use of the malleable properties of silver. Tools are used to
refine the design on the front of the work by sinking or moving the metal
around. A chasing hammer is used to strike the tools used to make 10
indentations in the silver, and none of the silver is removed in the process. It
is almost like making lines with a stick in the blob of modelling clay, where
the clay shifts, changes shape but no part of it is taken away as would happen
in wood carving, for example.

III The challenge of silver chasing is usually not related to physical strength. 15
This is because the tools are light and often even shorter and thinner than a
pencil. But each strike of the hammer has to be controlled so that the angle
and amount of force exerted has to be spot on. People might think that
chasing a straight line is easy but is not. A straight line is comprised of many
individual strokes from the tool and needs to appear continuous. That’s why 20
every chaser has to learn how to control and apply the right tools.

IV The tools using in chasing are usually made by the craftsperson. Typically,
they are made from bars of tool steel which are carbon and alloy steels that
are suitable to be made into tools because of their hardness and resistance
to scratches. According to Zabedah Hamzah, a craftsperson at Comyns, she 25
has accumulated around 200 tools after 19 years working at Comyns. Those
tools are all of different sizes, different lengths, different shapes and different
thickness. Moreover, a craftsperson never shares his or her tools with others
because it is something which is personal and they are customised according
to the craftsperson’s preferences and needs. 30
V Among the common designs that one can spot in silver chasing are animals
in the forms of puppies, kittens, pheasants and peacocks, buildings, goblets
and decorative items. However, it all depends on demands from customers.
Some prefer elaborate designs while others like for simple, traditional
designs. 35

VI After all, silver chasing is an art form. It is not easy and requires passion.
Merely passionate person who possesses high interest will make the way.
As such, this art should be preserved for the young generation to appreciate.

Adapted from The Star, May 6,

2012

QUESTION 1

Give the meaning of the words/ phrases in bold above:

a) ancient (N)

b) progressed (V)

c) refine (V)

d) continuous (Adj.)

e) resistance (N)

f) accumulated (V)

g) passionate (Adj.)

QUESTION 2

Give the reference of the underlined words/ phrases above:

a) all kinds of objects

b) technique

c) This ____________________________________
d) they

e) his

f) common designs

g) It