Frontpage words - January 28, 2010
by Raymond Li
SCMP, page A1 and A4 January 28, 2010
1. No sooner has the dust settled on a claim by Henan authorities to have found the tomb of fabled ancient warlord Cao Cao than a new controversy has flared
- matter calmed down -
- legendary -
- broken out, erupted -
2. calling for excavation of a royal tomb
- the act of digging an archeological site -
3. ... which conquered a large swathe of present-day China
- part -
4. Liu, an idealistic, benevolent and humane ruler
- kind -
5. the petition ... revived a feud among historians
- conflict, disagreement -
6. ... who have been locked in a protracted battle over Liu's grave
- long-lasting -
7. ... who dismissed the finding as premature, citing a lack of evidence
- too hasty -
8. authorities in Anyang were reported to have earmarked 6 million yuan for excavation work
- set aside, allocated -
9. items stolen from the purported grave of Cao, and police also promised leniency for tomb thieves if they turn themselves in
- alleged, supposed -
- forgiveness - when you are lenient, you do not give harsh punishments -
10. petitioners apparently drew their inspiration from the media frenzy surrounding the excavation of the grave
- there is media frenzy when a news event gets excessive media coverage -