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 Usnisa Sukhsvasti from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
The abandoned Hopewell mass transit project in Bangkok is a sad reminder of past government policies that failed. The massive 20-year-old concrete pillars are known locally as Bangkok’s Stonehenge. They are expected to be demolished soon to make way for the red line electric railway.
An interactive electric light art performance called Reinvent Bangkok, which used the pillars as the setting, was recently organised by Smirnoff, who wanted to show that hope can spring from hopelessness.
Many creative and artistic minds took part in the event, including Suharit Siamwalla, one of the most inspiring leaders of the group, whose campaign for the position of Bangkok governor using social media and no posters endeared him to modern urbanites. Thai electronic music maker DJ Nakadia also took part in the event, as did unique lighting artist Jiro Endo and revolutionary visual artist Duck Unit. Street artists Rukkit, P7, Chin7 and Never also took part.
The event was held in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art. The venue offered DJ stations where Suharit, DJ Nakadia and others took turns spinning their favourite beats for the crowd. The sound synched with spectacular light performances that transformed the bleak stone structures into works of art. Even a passing train became part of the installation.
“I’ve spent most of my time with Generation Y, and I’ve seen their incredible creativity, but it’s a pity that such potential is limited to computer screens and mobile phones,” Suharit said. “I feel the need to encourage them and make them believe that their creativity can change the world.”
DJ Nakadia said that he wanted to encourage young people to not be afraid to express themselves.
“We should not let fear hinder our opportunities because when fear conquers us, we become frightened to make a change,” he said.
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story. Then, answer the following multiple choice questions.
1. Where was the Reinvent Bangkok event held?
a. Near the remains of Stonehenge.
b. In front of the Smirnoff headquarters.
c. In front of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
2. Which of the following best describes the event?
a. It was an event held to educate people about failed government projects.
b. It was an advertisement for the red line electric railway.
c. It was an interactive art and music performance.
3. For how long have the concrete pillars abandoned?
a. Two years.
b. About 20 years.
c. More than 40 years.
4. What does Jiro Endo do, according to the story?
a. He is a lighting artist.
b. He is an electronic DJ.
c. He is a street artist.
5. Who organised the event?
a. A government agency.
b. A public school.
c. A private company.
6. What area of work is Nakadia involved with?
a. Event organising for Smirnoff.
b. Visual art and lighting design.
c. DJ music and sound production.
7. What is going to replace the Hopewell Project pillars?
a. A railway line.
b. A post office.
c. A museum.
8. Where was the article originally published?
a. Post Today.
b. Bangkok Post.
c. Student Weekly.
Section 2
Read through the story again. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
9. Suharit said that he had spent most of his time with Generation X.
………………………..
10. Smirnoff built the Hopewell project.
………………………..
11. The organiser held the event to show that hope can spring from hopelessness.
………………………..
12. The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Chiang Mai.
………………………..
13. Duck Unit will soon build the red line electric railway.
………………………..
Section 3
For each of the following sentences, choose another sentence from the choices given that has the same meaning.
14. The pillars are expected to be demolished soon to make way for the red line electric railway.
a. People expect the pillars to be pulled down soon so that the red line electric railway can run though there.
b. The pillars will be destroyed to make way for condominium construction.
c. The red line electric railway is expected to be demolished soon.
15. We should not let fear hinder our opportunities.
a. When fear hinders opportunities, we should let it.
b. When opportunities come, people should feel afraid.
c. People shouldn’t be afraid to take advantage of opportunities.
16. The project is a sad reminder of past government policies that failed.
a. The project represents the success of past governments.
b. The project sadly reminds people of the past failures of government policy.
c. The government reminded people not to feel sad about failure.
Section 4
Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the correct words from the choices given.
If they have a passion for something, they …..17….. go for it with all …..18….. creativity. Even if they fail, they will have …..19….. something and can improve before trying it again. People can …..20….. the world with …..21….. power.
17.
a. shall
b. should
c. shouldn’t
18.
a. their
b. our
c. his
19.
a. learns
b. learning
c. learned
20.
a. changing
b. change
c. changes
21.
a. my
b. their
c. her
Section 5
Specify whether each of the following words is used in the story as a noun, adjective or verb.
22. young ……………
23. spring ……………
24. spectacular ……………
Vocabulary
- endear (v): to make somebody or yourself popular
urbanite (n): a person who lives in a large, modern city or town
bleak (adj): bare, empty or with no pleasant features
hinder (v): to make it difficult for somebody to do something or something to happen
conquer (v): to defeat somebody or something
