Sacred sight

By Ajarn Helen Jandamit

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.

Housed at the busy intersection of Phloenchit and Ratchadamri roads in the middle of this shoppers' paradise, the famous Erawan Shrine adjacent to the Erawan hotel is widely recognised as a spiritual oasis. The sacred place welcomes hundreds of visitors daily. They come to take a vows and receive blessings for love, good health and wealth.

Many people believe that the shrine carries unique spiritual powers. Internet message boards are packed with stories from those who say that their requests or wishes came true. Some believers praying to the shrine for either illness recovery or success in love said the shrine's blessings brought miracles to their lives.

At the shrine, the ideal offering is 12 sticks of incense, which are available from nearby street vendors who also sell candles, garlands and small religious statues. Visitors can make merit by freeing caged birds that are provided by merchants at the courtyard gates for a charge. Visitors may see Thai classical dancers chanting and dancing at the shrine. They receive donations in exchange for their live performance. As a way to fulfill believers' vows, they offer the shrine dance performances.

The shrine itself houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The shrine is made of plaster, as well as a mixture of gold, bronze and other precious metals.

The shrine dates back to 1956 when the Erawan hotel was being built. Many labourers died and the construction was delayed repeatedly. Some workers walked off the site, fearing bad spirits. The Erawan Shrine was then built to ward off bad spirits and to bring good luck.

Section 1

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

1. What is the story about?

a. A sacred shrine.
b. A shopping complex.
c. Erawan Hotel services.
d. A new intersection.

2. Where is the Erawan Shrine located?

a. On Ratchadamnoen road.
b. Next to the Erawan Hotel.
c. In Phloenchit Building.
d. In the middle of Erawan National Park.

3. What is considered to be the ideal offering at the shrine?

a. 12 candles.
b. 12 sticks of incense.
c. Precious metals.
d. Sacred statutes.

4. Why was the Erawan Shrine built?

a. To house gold and bronze incense holders.
b. To represent the Hindu god.
c. To get rid of bad spirits and bring good luck.
d. To treat people with illnesses.

Section 2

Complete the following sentences with the correct words or phrases from the choices that follow.

5. According to the story, visitors can make merit at the Erawan Shrine by ........................................

a. performing a classical dance.
b. praying for good health.
c. freeing caged birds.
d. donating precious metals.

6. The Erawan hotel was built in ........................................

a. 2010.
b. 1965.
c. 1956.
d. 1912.

7. The Erawan Shrine is made of ........................................

a. plaster.
b. plastic.
c. wood.
d. concrete.

8. The dancing group performs in exchange for ........................................

a. sticks of incense.
b. caged birds.
c. gold metals.
d. donations.

Section 3

Read the story, and consider whether the following statements are true or false.

9. The Erawan Hotel construction was finished quickly.

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

10. The Erawan Shrine houses a statute of the Hindu god Shiva.

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

11. Hundreds of people visit the Erawan Shrine each day.

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

12. Visitors can free caged birds free of charge.

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

Section 4

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

13. Invention .......................................................

14. Combination .................................................

15. Distinctive .....................................................

16. Oaths ..............................................................

Section 5

Write down the adjective forms of the following verbs used in the article.

17. Success ......................................................

18. Widely ..........................................................

19. Creation .......................................................

20. Daily ..............................................................

Section 6

One of Bangkok's top tourist attractions ......21...... the Erawan Shrine, which was built to ward off problems delaying the construction of an adjoining hotel. Crowds flock daily to the resident golden image of Brahma, the four-faced Hindu deity. Dancers dressed ......22...... ornate traditional garb are ......23...... by devotees to perform in thanks for the granting of ......24...... .

21.

a. is
b. am
c. are
d. be

22.

a. at
b. on
c. in
d. inside

23.

a. commission
b. commissions
c. commissioned
d. commissioners

24.

a. wish
b. wishes
c. wished
d. wishing