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queues - lines
of people waiting for something are queues waited
patiently - if you wait calmly and quietly you wait patiently snaking
round entire blocks - this expression describes how the queues were very long
and twisty, like a snake eager
- if you are keen and enthusiastic you are eager a
slice of - a piece or a part of
privatised utility - a company providing a public service which is owned
by private investors is a privatised utility
In the event - what actually happened was.... went
home empty-handed - were unsuccessful in their attempt to buy shares | 
