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 Kritini Upayokin from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Close your eyes when listening to Peerapat Thenwong’s rendition of a Marvin Gaye classic and you’ll find it hard to believe the singer was born in Si Racha. Peerapat, widely known as Be Peerapat, has a voice with a deep, husky tone, unusual for a Thai male singer.
The 42-year-old’s voice impresses fans, but hearing it on the radio or on records is nothing like seeing him live.
Be Peerapat’s recent concert featured guest stars who are among the country’s top musicians. They included producer Neung Jakkawal, Crescendo drummer Ekapong Cherdtham and singers Ben Chalatit and Kob Songsit.
Kob, who is Be Peerapat’s cousin, was proud to perform a duet and said in a TV interview that he knew from a young age that Be Peerapat was going to be in a class of his own.
“I always knew he could sing,” Kob said. “I was already a singer, but I didn’t push for him at all. He made it happen by himself.”
Be Perapat released two albums with his first band RRR&B. Critics loved them, but at the time, audiences did not seem to be ready for their sound. Later, Be Perapat joined Crescendo and recorded two hit albums with the band before parting ways after four years.
Be Perapat has won many awards including two consecutive Seesan song of the year awards in 2004 and 2005 for tracks from his two albums with Crescendo.
His song “Kwam Jing Nai Jai (Truth Inside Our Minds)” from the band’s debut album is played on radio to this day and has become a kind of anthem of forbidden love.
“I knew when we finished recording that song that it would be a hit,” he said.
Be Perapat continues to receive rave reviews as a solo artist. In 2010 he was granted the Golden Phra Pikanet award from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for “Naliga,” which was written by Prapas Chonsaranont. Be Peerapat was also named Thailand’s best male vocalist at the Seesan Awards in 2009 for his second solo album. Medium Rare.
Be Peerapat is scheduled to release his third solo album, Soulmade, later this year. This time he is going back to his roots of soul music.
“One of the greatest things about music is that it takes you back to the times and places you are attached to or hopeful about,” the singer said, adding that he wants his third album to be about nostalgia and inspiration.
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story. Then, answer the following multiple choice questions.
1. What is this feature about?
a. Famous songs and songwriters.
b. A popular singer and his music.
c. Record labels and music awards.
2. How many albums did Be Peerapat make with Crescendo?
a. One.
b. Two.
c. Three.
3. What was Be Peerapat’s first band called?
a. Crescendo.
b. RRR&B.
c. Naliga.
4. When did Be Peerapat receive the Seesan song of the year awards?
a. In 2010.
b. In 2009 and 2010.
c. In 2004 and 2005.
5. Who presented Be Peerapat with the Golden Phra Pikanet award in 2010?
a. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
b. Prapas Chonsaranont.
c. Neung Jakkawal.
6. What does Bee Perapat want his third solo album to be about?
a. Nostalgia and inspiration.
b. Truth inside our minds.
c. Forbidden love.
7. What relation is Be Peerapat to Kob Songsit?
a. Be Peerapat is Kob’s cousin.
b. Be Peerapat is Kob’s child.
c. Be Peerapat is Kob’s brother.
8. Who is Crescendo’s drummer?
a. Ben Chalatit.
b. Peerapat Thenwong.
c. Ekapong Cherdtham.
Section 2
Underline the correct word from the three choices given in each of the following sentences.
9. Be Peerapat’s third album is scheduled with/about/to be released this year.
10. The singer performed at several/much/plenty concerts last year.
11. Be Peerapat’s concert was postponed following/by/until December.
12. Be Peerapat’s voice impressive/impression/impresses his fans.
Section 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
“It indicates that there …..13….. people who listen to my music and like it a …..14….... ,” Be Peerapat said. “That means a lot …..15….. me.” Be Peerapat took a long pause …..16….. then smiled. “But whether I win awards or …..17……, I will never stop …..18…..,” he said.
13.
a. are
b. is
c. am
14.
a. lot
b. much
c. enough
15.
a. for
b. to
c. with
16.
a. during
b. plus
c. and
17.
a. none
b. neither
c. not
18.
a. sing
b. singing
c. sings
Section 4
Match each of the following words with the definitions that best suit how the words are used in the story.
19. roots
a. the part of a plant that grows under the ground
b. the ends of nerves that are closest to the centre of your body
c. the origins or background of something
20. husky
a. large dog used for pulling sledges over ice
b. a deep, quiet, rough and attractive sounding voice
c. describing a big, strong boy or man
21. band
a. a small group of musicians who play popular music together
b. a group of people who do something together or who have the same ideas
c. a small rubber ring
22. record
a. information about something that has happened
b. the best achievements in an activity, especially sport
c. a thin round piece of plastic on which music, etc. is recorded
23. vocalist
a. somebody who sings
b. somebody who makes speeches
c. somebody who writes songs
24. duet
a. two people who fight each other with swords
b. a singer who performs on their own
c. a piece of music for two singers or musicians
Vocabulary
- rendition (n): the performance of something, especially a song or piece of music
rave review (n): an article in a newspaper or magazine that is very enthusiastic about a particular film, book, performance, album, etc.
nostalgia (n): a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past
