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.
Sirinud “Bo” Kitikan, 33, carefully put a green bicycle frame on a stand. She then started installing a seat and two wheels with professional ease. After some tinkering, she carried the freshly-assembled bicycle outside Bo Velo Bangkok Bike Shop for a quick spin.
After 10 years of working at an embassy, Sirinud decided to quit her job as an office lady. She wanted to work with bicycles.
“It took very little time to make the decision," Sirinud said. "I didn’t even think much about it. I wanted to do something of my own." Sirinud added that her family asked if she had thought it through.
“But they didn’t stop me from doing anything," she said. "They said I could make my own decision.”
Her shop, Bo Velo, is in a good location on Vibhavadi Road. Sirinud has a customer base of bike lovers after less than two years in the business. Since she lives above the shop, she doesn’t have to deal with traffic anymore.
“I didn’t think I would ever reach this point," she said. "I already had a stable career, but I didn’t regret the change. If you're willing to put an effort into what you’re passionate about, you can do it, too.
Sirinud grew up in Kanchanaburi province. She has been travelling on two wheels since primary school. It took about 10 years for Sirinud to return to her childhood love. Her interest in bicycles was rekindled after she saw her friend’s bike. She soon got her own.
Sirinud has been cycling for the past five years. She cycles everywhere within a kilometre-radius of the shop, and once a month, gathers a group of friends for a city cycling tour at night.
Some customers were skeptical about seeing Sirinud around the shop, believing that a woman wouldn't know much about mechanical things. She shows that she knows what she’s talking about to gain their trust.
Still, Sirinud admits that some tasks that require more strength are better left to men. When it comes to repairing, she hands it to the shop’s mechanic. Her main task is to help customers choose their bicycles or pair different accessories and parts.
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What is Sirinud Kitikan’s nickname?
a. Velo.
b. Two wheels.
c. Bo.
2. Where did she grow up?
a. In Kanchanaburi province.
b. In a good location on Vibhavadi Road.
c. Bangkok.
3. How long did Sirinud work at the embassy?
a. For one and a half years.
b. For ten years.
c. For five years.
4. What made Sirinud interested in bicycles again?
a. She saw her friend’s bike.
b. She took part in a cycling tour.
c. She started selling bike accessories.
5. Why doesn’t Sirinud have to deal with traffic anymore?
a. Because she wanted to work with bicycles.
b. Because she lives above her shop.
c. Because she quit her job as an office lady.
6. How often does Sirinud take part in nighttime city cycling tours?
a. Once a month.
b. Every five years.
c. The feature does not say.
7. How does Sirinud deal with customers who do not expect a woman to run a bicycle shop?
a. She carries a freshly-assembled bicycle outside the shop for a quick spin.
b. She shows them that she knows what she’s talking about.
c. She introduces them to the shop’s mechanic.
8. What is her main task in the shop?
a. Repairing bicycles.
b. Helping customers choose their bicycles and accessories.
c. Dealing with traffic.
Section 2
Specify whether each of the following words is used in the story as an adjective or adverb.
9. own
……….
10. anymore
……….
11. willing
……….
12. already
……….
Section 3
Read each of the following sentences and underline the grammatically correct words in each from the choices given.
13. She has been cycling for/from/with five years.
14. We don’t have to/need/must buy a bike because we already have a car.
15. The shop assistant started installs/installed/installing the bike parts.
Section 4
Read the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
16. Sirinud is in her 30s. …………..
17. Her shop is located on Phahonyothin Road. ………….
18. Sirinud never worked for an embassy. …………..
19. Sirinud thinks that her previous job was a stable career. …………..
20. Sirinud regrets quitting the previous job. …………..
Section 5
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
Sirinud enjoys …..21….. bicycle parts and putting their different colours together. As she sells bicycle …..22….., she has learned to assemble and tinker with …..23….. small vehicles. Her friend taught her the …..24….. of bike mechanics.
21.
a. customise
b. customised
c. customising
22.
a. parts
b. partial
c. parted
23.
a. the
b. this
c. that
24.
a. base
b. basics
d. based
Vocabulary
- stable (adj): not likely to move, change or fail
passionate (adj): having or showing strong feelings of enthusiasm for something
rekindle (v): to make something become active again
