On the afternoon of November 26, 2025, a terrible fire started suddenly at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong. The fire spread fast through seven buildings because of green mesh(防护网) and scaffolding(脚手架) for repairs. Unluckily, the fire caused 128 deaths.
The Hong Kong government officers acted at once to set up places for homeless people to live for a short time. Also, a team of firemen came but faced great difficulties because of awful heat and heavy smoke. Even if it was very hard, they still managed to save 55 people.
Besides the local efforts, the Chinese mainland also took quick action. Guangdong Province sent a large number of things like medicine, water and food. The Red Cross Society of China raised 2 million yuan for Hong Kong. Mainland companies and organizations donated(捐赠) over HK 600 million in all. And 5 million yuan was from the All-China Women's Federation.
Also, many people from the mainland went to blood donation centres in Hong Kong to help. Some offered free online psychological counselling(心理咨询). A local person shared, “Social workers(社会福利工作者) came to check on my child.
It gives us a warm feeling.”
Heather Yin, a member of the Hong Kong Red Cross, said, “Although this disaster is a hard lesson in city safety, the great kindness from all sides is truly priceless. All the efforts between Hong Kong and the mainland show our deep
connection.”
(
D
) 1. What is the reason for the fire to spread fast according to the passage?
A. Not enough firemen at first.
B. The hot and windy weather.
C. A slow call for help by people.
D. The green mesh and scaffolding.
(
B
) 2. How did people help after the fire?
A. They only helped people in hospitals.
B. They provided different forms of help.
C. They just sent money, food and medicine.
D. They built new houses for the local people.
(
C
) 3. What does the underlined word “It” in paragraph 4 refer to?
A. Blood donation.
B. Psychological counselling.
C. Help from social workers.
D. The Hong Kong Red Cross.
(
A
) 4. Why does Heather Yin talk about “the great kindness from all sides”?
A. To show people helped each other.
B. To describe how the fire was put out.
C. To tell the importance of safety lessons.
D. To thank the firemen for their hard work.
(
C
) 5. What is the structure of this article?
