Night light biker

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

The weather is lovely. Night falls early and a number of Bangkok streets are now illuminated with decorative lights. Somehow, traffic after dusk tends to be lighter at this time of year.

Nice weather. No hot sun. The streets are more beautiful and less crowded. This is the perfect time to do some night rides in the capital city.

I usually start from Siam Square because it's easy for me to find a safe parking space for my van. For those who live near a BTS station, you can take your bicycle on the Skytrain to Siam or the National Stadium and begin the ride there if you like. One great thing about the BTS is that it doesn't charge an extra fee for carrying a bike on the train. The only requirement is that you take your bike on either the front or back ends of the Skytrain.

From Siam, if you ride eastwards along Rama I Road to the adjacent Ratchadamri and Ratchaprasong areas, you'll find some Christmas and New Year light decorations. But the real fun is waiting in the opposite direction. Head west and find your way to Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Between December and January it is decorated with festive lights, and so are the important sites it passes.

From Sanam Luang, you can see the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, both majestically lit. You can also reach many interesting places, such as the Giant Swing and Pak Khlong Talat (flower market) from Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

From Siam, there are many streets that can take you to Ratchadamnoen Avenue. You can choose. Some of the roads are one-way, but you can ride your bike on the footpath, which is also safer.

Another thing that varies from one cyclist to another is their choice of bicycle. But no matter which type of bike you use, make sure you have some bicycle lights so that other road users can see and not run over you. A helmet, of course, is also a must.

Section 1

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

1. What is the story about?

a. Riding bikes during the daytime in Chiang Mai.
b. Riding bikes at night in Bangkok.
c. Where to buy cheap bikes.
d. How to choose quality bikes.

2. What is the requirement for carrying a bike on the BTS?

a. You have to pay an extra charge.
b. Only folding bikes are allowed.
c. The bike owner must be wearing a helmet.
d. The bike must be placed on either the front of back ends of the train.

3. Where does the author advise you to ride if you have to go down a one-way street?

a. On the main road.
b. On the footpath.
c. On the flyover.
d. The story does not say.

4. When is Ratchadamnoen Avenue usually decorated with festive lights?

a. All year long.
b. In February.
c. Between October and November.
d. In December and January.

Section 2

Read the following sentences. Then, choose the sentence from the choices given that best keeps the meaning of the original sentence.

5. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is decorated with festive lights.

a. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is surrounded by traffic lights.
b. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is a light festival.
c. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is embellished with pretty lights.
d. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is full of lightening.

6. Many interesting places are located on the road.

a. A lot of interesting places are located on the island.
b. Very few interesting places are situated on the road.
c. Some fascinating sites no longer exist on the road.
d. Lots of fascinating sites are situated on the road.

7. It doesn't charge you an extra fee.

a. It doesn't provide you an extra seat.
b. You have to pay more money.
c. You don't have to pay an additional fee.
d. You don't have to pay an extra tax.

8. It is safer to ride your bike on the footpath.

a. It is safer not to ride your bike on the sidewalk.
b. Riding your bike on the pavement is safer.
a. Riding your bike on the footpath isn't safe.
d. It is recommended that you park your bike on the footpath.

Section 3

Read the following sentences. Then, choose the grammatically correct preposition from the choices given.

9. Head east and find your way ..................... the Grand Palace.

a. to
b. into
c. up
d. on

10. This is a great time to do some rides ..................... the city.

a. at
b. against
c. above
d. in

11. You don't have to pay any fee for carrying your bike ..................... the sky train.

a. along
b. across
c. besides
d. on

12. Rama I Road is adjacent ..................... Ratchadamri Road.

a. to
b. for
c. behind
d. towards

Section 4

Write down the past tense forms of the following verbs.

13. See ..................................................................

14. Choose ..........................................................

15. Ride ................................................................

16. Run .................................................................

Section 5

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

17. Condition ............................................................

18. Option ..................................................................

19. Additional ............................................................

20. Grandly ................................................................

Section 6

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

21. Westwards ........................................................

22. Boring .................................................................

23. Unimportant .......................................................

24. Before ..................................................................