Section B Directions: Read the following passage carefully and
then explain in your own English the exact meaning of the numbered and
underlined parts. Put your answers in the ANSWER SHEET.
(31)A couple of months ago, Singaporean officials
unintentionally made cinematic history. They slapped an NC-17 rating on a
film, which means children under 17 cannot see it, not because of sex or
violence or profanity, but because of bad grammar. Despite its apparently
naughty title. Talking Cock, the movie is actually an innocuous comedy
comprising four skits about the lives of ordinary Singaporeans. The censors also
banned a 15-second TV spot promoting the flick. (32) All this is because of
what the authorities deemed "excessive use of Singlish."
(33) Given the tough crackdown, you would expect Singlish to be a
harmful substance that might corrupt our youth, like heroin or pornography.
But it’s one of Singapore’s best-loved quirks, used daily by everyone from
cabbies to CEOs. (34) Singlish is simply Singaporean slang, whereby English
follows Chinese grammar and is liberally sprinkled with words from the local
Chinese. Malay and Indian dialects. I like to talk cock, and
I like to speak Singlish. It’s inventive, witty and colorful. (35) Singlish
is especially fashionable these days among the younger generation, in part
because it gives uptight Singapore a chance to laugh at itself. But the
government is not amused. It doesn’t like Singlish because it thinks it is bad
language and bad for Singapore’s image as a commercial and financial
center.