By Ajarn Helen Jandamit
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
University Tips is here to help you prepare for the English exams and tests that are coming your way. It gives you practise answering questions similar to those you may have at school and also on the University Entrance Examination.
Read the following story by Jeerawat Na Thalang from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Zom Ammara was once hailed as Thailand’s “Queen of Reggae.” With massive hits such as “Playgirl” and “Shake it Baby,” Zom epitomised the modern and carefree attitude that her song lyrics were famous for.
NEW LOOK
Six years have passed since her last studio project and Zom is back with a new vibe. She’s sporting a pixie-style haircut and wearing a long-sleeved shirt and black trousers. She’s just left a meeting with executives at Channel 5 — the Royal Thai Army’s TV station — and senior monks from Wat Borvoranives.
“It’s a strange day when a soldier, a monk and a singer meet to work together,” Zom said. “We were discussing a project to raise funds for charitable purposes.”
Her next album, Capital Muse, is based on the teachings of the late Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Yana Sangvorn, the former abbot of Borvoranives Temple. Many people may be unaware that Zom ordained as a Buddhist nun last year.
VOCAL BACKGROUND
Zom, whose real name is Siriruk Siripong, doesn’t play instruments and can’t read sheet music. She studied communication arts at Assumption University and always wanted to work in an advertising company. After graduating, she worked in the creative marketing department of a well-known department store and moonlighted as a singer.
In 2002 she released her first album Sweetless, which was an instant hit. The single “Playgirl” was about how girls should respect themselves. “The song does not encourage girls to be trashy,” Zom said. “Yes, they can go out to clubs if they like music, but at the end of the day, they must know what they are doing.”
I first met Zom two years ago when she was invited to speak to about 500 students. “Ask yourself what you can’t tell your parents,” she told the students at the time. “The things that you can’t tell your parents might be the things that you shouldn’t do.”
NOBLE NOTES
“In March last year, I went to Borvoranives Monastery to ask the acting abbot Somdej Phra Wannarat for permission to write songs based on the Supreme Patriarch’s teachings,” Zom said. Somdej Phra Wannarat agreed. She began working on the Capital Muse project in August and sent her first lyrics to the temple for approval in September last year.
She’s working on up to 30 songs for the project, in collaboration with 100 students from the four universities where she lectures on project management — Mahidol, Silpakorn, Rangsit and Burapha Universities.
Capital Muse will be performed in concert for the first time in September.
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Zom?
a. Zom plays many music instruments.
b. Zom studied at Bangkok University.
c. Zom ordained as a nun a year ago
2. What did Zom do besides singing?
a. She was in the army.
b. She worked at Channel 5.
c. She worked in the field of marketing.
3. What was her debut album called?
a. Sweetless
b. Playgirl.
c. Capital Muse.
4. When did the author first meet Zom?
a. Two years ago.
b. Last year.
c. In 2002.
5. Why was Zom in a meeting with Channel 5 executives and senior monks?
a. They were discussing a music project.
b. They were discussing a project to raise funds for charitable purposes.
c. They were attending a lecture on business management.
6. What is Channel 5 also known as?
a. An advertising company.
b. A comedy show.
c. The Royal Thai Army’s TV station.
7. What is Capital Muse?
a. It’s charity event.
b. It’s a concert tour across Asia.
c. It’s a music project.
8. Zom was previously called the _____________________.
a. Queen of Rock.
b. Queen of Reggae.
c. Queen of Pop.
Section 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions.
| ………. 9. lecture | a. agreement to, or permission for something, especially a plan or request |
| ………. 10. abbot | b. a talk that is given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject |
| ………. 11. charitable | c. connected with a charity |
| ………. 12. monastery | d. a man who is the head of a monastery |
| ………. 13. approval | e. a building in which monks live |
Section 3
Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the correct words from the choices given.
When …..14….. if the new album would receive …..15….. feedback, Zom replied, “I don’t know. I haven’t been …..16….. about that. But this is …..17…..we want to do.” She added that the band was …..18….. six songs ahead …..19….. the release.
14.
a. ask
b. asks
c. asked
15.
a. positive
b. possessive
c. passive
16.
a. thinking
b. thinks
c. thought
17.
a. who
b. what
c. which
18.
a. rehearsal
b. rehearsing
c. rehearsed
19.
a. off
b. of
c. on
Section 4
Find vocabulary words in the story that are synonyms of the following words.
20. previous ……………….
21. state of the art ……………….
22. started ……………….
23. debut ……………….
24. gathering ……………….
Vocabulary
- epitomise (v): to be a perfect example of something
vibe (n): a mood or an atmosphere produced by a particular person, thing or place
moonlight (v): to have a second job that you do secretly
trashy (adj): of poor quality or with no value
