By Ajarn Helen Jandamit
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post and Post Today
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 Duangkamol Panya from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
In the early ’90s, simply saying the word Nuvo made girls swoon. The sensational pop-rock band dominated the Thai music scene with their swagger, pretty hairdos, model-like physiques and countless love songs.
But while 25 years have passed since “Pen Yang Nee Tang Tae Kerd (Been Like This Since I was Born)” went to the top of the charts, Nuvo has continued to ride its wave of success.
Since the six-man group’s last concerts two years ago, guitarist and vocalist Saharat
Sangkapreecha (Kong) has been busy as a coach on The Voice Thailand, while lead vocalist John Rattanaveroj says he still loves music.
When they took to the stage recently for two sold-out shows at Impact Arena, in their minds it was another big concert for their fans, not a comeback.
Now in their late forties, John and Kong have improved with age and experience.
“I personally like my voice and the way I’m able to sing now more than 20 years ago,” John said.
Nuvo also includes band leader, guitarist and vocalist Jirayut “Joe” Wattanasin, keyboard player Peter Hammond, bassist Surachai “Su” Soonthorntadakul and drummer Chayoot “Mai” Burakamkovit.
All six original members met in high school and formed the band in 1985. A few years after graduation they landed a record deal with GMM Grammy, and their combination of youthful looks and talent led to quick success. Their first album was a monster hit, selling more than a million copies. They dominated radio and the charts in the early 1990s with singles like “Leum Pai Mai Rak Kan (Sorry, I Forgot You Didn’t Love Me)” and “Ni Yarm Rak (Definition of Love).”
“When I was in junior high school, there was a general belief that if you didn’t play sport, you had to play music,” Kong said. “I thought I was just going to do music for fun, but two decades have passed and I still can’t quit it.”
John said that he was reluctant to join the band at first, thinking it would affect his studies.
“When Joe and Kong came along, I was in two minds between pursuing a career in a scientific field and being a singer,” John said. “But when I started to play with the band, I thought, screw physics, I’m gonna sing!”
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. Why wasn’t Nuvo’s latest performance called a comeback?
a. Because they hadn’t been to that venue before.
b. Because they had never performed together before.
c. Because they hadn’t stopped performing together
2. Who has the nickname “Su”?
a. Jirayut Wattanasin.
b. Chayoot Burakamkovit.
c. Surachai Soonthorntadakul.
3. Who, when he was at school, wanted a career in a scientific field?
a. Jirayut Wattanasin.
b. John Rattanaveroj.
c. Peter Hammond.
4. Did John choose to work in physics or in music?
a. He chose to become a musician.
b. He chose to become a physicist.
c. The story does not say.
5. Which instrument does Peter Hammond play?
a. Keyboard.
b. Guitar.
c. Drums.
6. Where were Nuvo’s two recent shows held?
a. Impact Arena.
b. On TV as part of The Voice Thailand.
c. Siam Paragon.
7. How many members did Nuvo originally have?
a. Eight.
b. Seven.
c. Six.
8. When did Nuvo first dominate the charts?
a. In the forties.
b. In the early ’90s.
c. When they were in junior high school.
Section 2
Read the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
9. John has been a coach on The Voice Thailand.
………………………
10. Kong said that he likes his voice now more than the way it was 20 years ago.
………………………
11. John and Kong are in their forties.
………………………
12. Nuvo formed in 1985.
………………………
13. Joe is Nuvo’s drummer.
………………………
Section 3
Read the following sentences and underline the grammatically correct word in each from the choices given.
14. I like the way I’m able to/too/two sing now.
15. The six-man/six-men/six-mans group’s last project took place a year ago.
16. Three decades have passed and the still/yet/even love music.
17. He has been busy play/plays/playing guitar for the band.
Section 4
Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the correct words from the choices given.
Nuvo’s performance now, I believe, …..18….. far better than when …..19….. released our first album. Music is not so much …..20….. physical qualities such as age. You’ve only got to …..21….. at the Rolling Stones — they’re in their seventies but still out …..22….. performing and enjoying it. Eric Clapton, too, is in …..23..... seventies and still .....24….. on world tours.
18.
a. am
b. are
c. is
19.
a. they
b. we
c. you
20.
a. in
b. about
c. for
21.
a. look
b. listen
c. watch
22.
a. they’re
b. there
c. their
23.
a. him
b. he
c. his
24.
a. gone
b. go
c. going
Vocabulary
- dominate (v): to control or have a lot of influence over somebody or something
countless (adj): very many; too many to be counted
