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 Melalin Mahavongtrakul from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
British author John Hoskin is back with another book, An Illustrated History of Thailand, describing the history and culture of the Land of Smiles. On this occasion, he reaches back in time to the origin of the country — back when we weren’t yet Thai, and were known as the Siamese.
LOCAL LEGENDS
What are the things that define Thailand (and even Siam)? Hoskin highlights religion and monarchy — not an overstatement when it’s already clear to see in the white and blue of our flag. Brief tales of past royals are mentioned in the book. They include legends like King Ramkhamhaeng who created the Thai alphabet and handed it down to us through time, the heroine Queen Suriyothai who is believed to have sacrificed her life to protect her husband, and the heart of the nation, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
ENDLESS HISTORY
From the period before history was first recorded in writing to the Sukhothai era, from Ayutthaya to the Rattanakosin eras, our historical tales are endless. This book is not just about different governments and royal families that ruled our country. It tells stories of our nation, of how far we’ve come and how we came to be. The photographs and various images that were selected for the book also have their own stories. Our country has progressed and evolved over the years — both physically and emotionally — and this evolution can be seen when comparing images of ancient Khmer-influenced temples with those of the present high-rise skyline of Bangkok.
CURRENT EVENTS
But history is not the only thing the book is about. Current affairs are included towards the end of the book. Topics included are student demonstrations, Shinawatra governments and military regimes. There is nothing in the book that most Thais don’t already know, but it should offer readers a short version of our current situation should they ever need one.
TRAVEL TALES
Don’t treat this book as just another weekend read. Pack your things and get yourself on the road to these places. North, South, East and Northeast — an abundance of history awaits. The book can serve as a historical summary for anybody planning to go on an educational tour of Thailand’s past. While it may not offer touristy fare like where to find the best street food, Hoskin’s latest guide should please anybody looking for a more reserved and traditional journey in this region of Southeast Asia.
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What does An Illustrated History of Thailand include?
a. The history of the Land of Smiles.
b. The history and culture of the Land of Smiles.
c. The history and culture of the Land of Smiles plus its current affairs.
2. Who is the author of the book?
a. King Ramkhamhaeng.
b. John Hoskin.
c. Melalin Mahavongtrakul.
3. Is this a review of the first Thai Guide written by this author?
a. No.
b. Yes.
c. The book review does not say.
4. When in history does this book start?
a. October 14,1973
b. The Sukhothai era.
c. Before the Sukhothai era.
5. Who created the Thai alphabet?
a. King Ramkhamhaeng.
b. Queen Suriyothai.
c. Khmer-influenced teachers.
6. What does the author of the book highlight as things that define Thailand?
a. Brief tales of past royals.
b. Religion and monarchy.
c. Student demonstrations, previous governments and military regimes.
7. Why were the photographs and various images selected for the book?
a. They show how the country has progressed and evolved over the years.
b. They make a visual comparison between images of ancient temples with those of the present skyline of Bangkok
c. Both a and b are correct.
8. How does the writer of this book review summarise the book’s content?
a. Just another weekend read.
b. A guide to the best street food.
c. A guide that should please anybody looking for a reserved and traditional journey in this region of Southeast Asia.
Section 2
Specify whether each of the following statements is true or false.
9. John Hoskin is a British author.
…………………
10. The book offers readers a short version of the current situation in Thailand.
…………………
11. This book is a road map.
…………………
12. This guide is about Southeast Asia in general.
…………………
Section 3
Read each of the following sentences and underline the grammatically correct words in each from the choices given.
13. Stories include that of Queen Suriyothai, who/which/whom is believed to have sacrificed her life to protect her husband.
14. Thailand was formerly calling/call/called Siam.
15. The incident was recorded in/from/to writing.
Section 4
Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the correct words from the choices given.
Thailand has …..16….. very long history, dating …..17….. thousands of years to prehistoric times. Several dynasties have …..18….. the country, leaving behind remarkable landmarks and …..19….. monuments that …..20….. remain.
16.
a. a
b. the
c. such
17.
a. back
b. backward
c. forward
18.
a. ruling
b. ruled
c. ruler
19.
a. history
b. historically
c. historical
20.
a. then
b. still
c. previously
Section 5
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct synonyms from the choices given.
| 21. alphabet ……….. | a. exaggeration |
| 22. overstatement ……….. | b. present |
| 23. current ……….. | c. plenty |
| 24. abundance ……….. | d. letter |
Vocabulary
- overstatement (n): saying something in a way that makes it seem more important than it really is
progress (v): to improve or develop over a period of time
regime (n): a method or system of government, especially one that has not been elected
