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.
In the foreword to Crafty Dolls by author Jane Bull, readers are immediately greeted by colourful pages full of ideas and pictures of dolls. Knitting and stitching may seem mind-boggling for somebody who wants to do arts and crafts projects, however the instructions provided in this book will get beginners going right from the first page. The book is priced at 695 baht.
Making a doll in somebody’s likeness sounds quite difficult for those who don’t know how. This is where Jane’s book comes in. There are simple templates and directions for basic dolls, as well as stitching patterns and knitting instructions for everybody to follow.
You can make a variety of dolls from the primary template given in this book. Jane’s ideas range from dolls that look like her three children to fantasy figures like a mermaid, a princess, a pirate and a superhero.
If you make a doll, you will need to do many things — stitch up the doll, stuff it with something soft like kapok, and knit a jumper as well as skirts, purses and shoes for the doll.
You can turn an old pair of gloves into a lovable figure for decoration or maybe a gift for somebody. For something even simpler, a sewing kit, a coloured pen, a few pieces of fabric and a handful of soft-toy filling are all you need to make different shaped cushions with your own personalised designs on them.
This book is good for passing time creatively, and you might get a cute-looking doll in the end as well.
Exercises
Section 1
Read the story. Then, answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. Who wrote Crafty Dolls?
a. Melalin Mahavongtrakul.
b. Jane Bull.
c. Helen Jandamit.
2. What is the book about?
a. How to paint cushions.
b. Making handmade dolls.
c. Basic knitting.
3. Which of the following does the book NOT contain?
a. Pictures of dolls.
b. Knitting instructions.
c. An old pair of gloves.
4. What does “a doll in somebody’s likeness” mean?
a. A doll that looks just like you or somebody you know.
b. A lovable figure for decoration.
c. Your own personalised design.
5. How much does the book cost?
a. 659 baht.
b. 695 baht.
c. 569 baht.
Section 2
Specify whether each of the following words is used in the story as a noun, adverb or adjective.
6. quite …………………..
7. mind-boggling …………………..
8. handful …………………..
9. immediately …………………..
10. beginners …………………..
Section 3
Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the grammatically correct words from the choices given.
In 1979, Jane worked in publishing for Mitchell Beazley. She …..11….. went on to join Dorling Kindersley in 1982. …..12….. then, Jane has been involved in an enormous …..13….. of books for adults and children. Her latest …..14….. is published by DK and takes activity books to a new level. Jane lives in London and …..15….. three children of her own to practice out her crafty ideas on.
11.
a. there
b. then
c. so
12.
a. From
b. Since
c. Ever
13.
a. rank
b. range
c. ranch
14.
a. collect
b. collectable
c. collection
15.
a. have
b. had
c. has
Section 4
Find words used in the story that are synonyms of the following words.
16. suddenly ……………………
17. confusing ……………………
18. newcomers ……………………
19. adorable ……………………
20. directions ……………………
Section 5
Find words used in the story that are antonyms of the following words.
21. similar ……………………
22. advanced ……………………
23. final ……………………
24. hard ……………………
Vocabulary
- forward (n): a short introduction at the beginning of a book
template (n): a shape cut out of hard material, used as a model for producing exactly the same shape many times in other material
kapok (n): a soft white material used for filling cushions, soft toys, etc.
fabric (n): material made by weaving wool, cotton, silk, etc. used for making clothes, curtains, etc.
personalise (v): to design or change something so that it is suitable got the needs of a particular person
