Text 1 for questions number 64 - 66.

   The dragon, the only mythical creature among the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, is regarded as a symbol of might and intelligence. In ancient China, the dragon was associated with the emperor. Boys born in the year of the dragon, especially, are said to be destined to be successful and wealthy. The next year of the dragon begins on 23 January, on the first day of the Chinese New Year, and lots of dragon babies are set to make an entrance.

    In previous dragon years, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and countries such as Singapore with a strong Chinese diaspora have experienced baby booms. In 2000, Hongkong saw a more than 5% rise in the number of births, according to official data. Last month, state news agency Xinhua reported that China was anticipating a 5% increase in the number of babies this year.

    Makers of baby products and companies offering pre-natal and infant care service are fired up by the business prospects. A Bloomberg report, citing Euromonitor International, estimated that sales of nappies in China will grow about 17% to 28,4 billion yuan ($4,5bn, £2,9bn) this year.

    Paying for nappies, however, is not the biggest worry for parents of dragon babies. "It might affect this birth cohort when they get into school, go to the labour market because more people means more competition," said Dr. Tong Yuying, assistant professor, department of sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Schools may increase their capacity, but it still means more children battling it out in national exams to get into top schools. "It was a blessing, and not so, at the same time," said Alicia Leo, whose son Timothy, born in Singapore, was the fou rth dragon in the Malaysian Chinese family.

    Timothy has to sit for the national Primary School Leaving Examinations ( PSLE) in Singapore this year. His results will determine which secondary school he attends. "He is not stressed at all, being his usual d ragon self," said the dance teacher and mother of three. "But I am worried about secondary school."

    The race for school among bumper dragon cohorts is similar in Taiwan, if not more pronounced. "Competition is definitely more intense for kids born this year," said Dr Chen Shee Uan, director of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the National Taiwan University Hospital. He believes there will be an increase of 20 to 30% this year in the number of babies delivered at the hospital. He is also expecting the same spike for in vitro fertilization treatments at his clinic. In fact, he added, this has already started happening in the last three months, as couples tried to get a head start in the process. "The dragon is really a special year," he said.

What is the synonym of the word 'cohort' (par. 3)?