Fun farm

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 from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Already well known for combining local agricultural practises with a living showcase of the traditional arts and culture of the Northeast, the Jim Thompson Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima recently opened its gates to welcome tour parties and day-trippers for a three-week period.

Apart from the chance to see how animals and crops are raised and to buy fresh produce, the Issan-lifestyle aspect of the farm has been expanded with Korat Village, which comprises seven different types of Korat-style houses scattered across a 50-rai plot of land.

Phahonchai Premjai, the architect who designed the farm, noted that when it originally opened 14 years ago it was a small but sustainable project occupying only 10 rai of land.

Back then, the Issan Village, representing various types of domicile found in the northeastern region, was erected on the site, he said. It featured two structures meant for religious purposes and a few simple huts. Over time, some of the buildings have been modified to make them more durable, Phahonchai explained. After doing some research and consulting closely with experts, some materials were changed so that the structures would last longer, while still retaining their traditional Issan features.

Other sights at the farm include an exhibition on the techniques for making silk, a signature Jim Thompson product, plus demonstrations of manual rice-husking, the making of wooden toys, engraving on bai larn (thick paper hand-made from palm leaves) and other traditional crafts.

Section 1

Read the article. Then, answer the following multiple-choice questions.

1. What is the article about?

a. An exhibition of Issan food and herbs.
b. Experts in Issan products.
c. A showcase of Issan traditions, crafts and farming practises.
d. Issan music and lifestyle.

2. Where is the Jim Thompson Farm located?

a. Nakhon Nayok.
b. Nakhon Sawan.
c. Nakhon Phanom.
d. Nakhon Ratchasima.

3. When did Issan Village first open?

a. Two years ago.
b. Four years ago.
c. 14 years ago.
d. 24 years ago.

4. For how long was the showcase recently open to the public?

a. Three months.
b. Three weeks.
c. Thirteen days.
d. Three days.

Section 2

Read the following sentences. Then, choose the word or phrase from the choices given that best keeps the meaning of the underlined words in each sentence.

5. The Jim Thomson Farm opened its gates to welcome tourists.

a. stop
b. receive
c. wonderful
d. working

6. Korat Village comprises seven different types of Korat-style houses.

a. concludes
b. concedes
c. includes
d. concerns

7. Tourists can buy fresh produce at the farm.

a. purchase
b. sell
c. perform
d. import

8. Experts suggested changing some of the materials to make the structures last longer.

a. Scientists
b. Socialists
c. Soldiers
d. Specialists

Section 3

Read through the story again. Then, determine whether the following statements are true or false.

9. Phahonchai Premjai is the founder of Jim Thomson Farm.

......................................................................................

10. Korat Village has seventeen different types of Korat-style houses.

......................................................................................

11. Visitors could learn techniques for making silk at the showcase.

......................................................................................

12. The showcase also demonstrated traditional ways of making plastic toys.

......................................................................................

Section 4

Write down the verb forms of the following words used in the story.

13. Originally ...................................................................

14. Sustainable ..............................................................

15. Exhibition ..................................................................

16. Demonstrations ......................................................

Section 5

Find words in the story that are synonyms of the following words.

17. Changed .........................................................

18. Maintaining .....................................................

19. Built ...................................................................

20. Integrating .......................................................

Section 6

Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the correct words from the choices that follow.

The Jim Thompson Farm is .....21..... its doors for visitors to relish a charming experience of local Issan culture amid the beautiful nature of .....22..... plants and blooming flowers during the Jim Thompson Farm Tour, .....23..... runs until January 8, .....24..... 9 am to 5 pm.

21.

a. reopen
b. reopens
c. reopened
d. reopening

22.

a. colour
b. colours
c. colourful
d. colourfully

23.

a. who
b. that
c. which
d. where

24.

a. from
b. for
c. at
d. between