ANCIENT ANGKOR

In the regions of Southeast Asia dwell the remains of an era that far exceeded its time in developments and industrialization. This ancient city, which was mysteriously deserted in the 15th century, is known as Angkor. Located in Cambodia, Angkor was established in 802 CE as the seat of the Khmer Empire. Khmer was the largest continuous empire in 5 Southeast Asia. Its main city of Angkor grew and developed until it was abandoned in the year 1431. Many historians theorize as to why it was abandoned, but the mystery remains.

Angkor was a city of power, industry, architecture, and cultural unity, which is why speculation surrounds its decline. The ancient Khmer city stretched over an area of nearly 120 square miles, comparable to present-day Los Angeles. Each successive ruler to the 10 throne brought significant additions that diversified the territory. One ruler is known for constructing a baray, a massive water reservoir. Another built the imposing Angkor Wat, a temple of great proportions that survived the city’s demise and exists today as a Buddhist temple. Along with over seventy other temples in the region, Angkor was home to an expansive waterworks of marked ingenuity when nothing of its kind existed in the world. The civilization was structured around the Mekong River. Intricate and sophisticated irrigation systems were fashioned to transport water to people and fields in all parts of the city, including those removed from the central water source. For this, the city became known as the “Hydraulic City.” The people of Angkor were led by an extensive court system, made up of religious and secular nobles as well as artisans, fishermen, rice farmers, soldiers, and elephant keepers. The civilization was guarded by an army transported by elephants and ruled by shrewd and powerful kings. Yet after 600 years of existence, an abandoned shell was all that remained.

The land, buildings, and architecture were reclaimed by the surrounding forest regions until the 19” century, when French archaeologists discovered the remains and began restoring sites in the great city of Angkor. Since then, theories have evolved over time relating to the death of Angkor’s civilization. The first theory states that the city fell because of war. The last two centuries of Angkor’s existence showed a decline in the Khmer Empire’s population and power. Ongoing wars with neighboring Thailand had devastated the nation. In 1431, attackers from Thai nations invaded and looted Angkor, leaving it desolate and vacant. Continuous war with Thailand culminating in a final attack on the city could have weakened the empire and led to the city’s demise.

Another theory states that a change in religion led to the country’s downfall. The Khmer Empire had predominately been a Hindu nation, and the people were unified in their religion. Jayavarman VII, acclaimed as the greatest of Angkor’s kings, took title throne in 1181 CE. He instituted a change in religion from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism. This action subsequently could have destroyed the unity of the people and the overall foundation of the empire.

Natural disaster is another feasible possibility for the scattering of people from the Angkor region. Historians say earthquakes, floods, and drastic climate changes would have been capable of stripping Angkor of its people. These natural catastrophes would have likely resulted in destroyed buildings, ruined crops, and a decreased water supply that would have forced citizens to leave. One researcher hypothesized that the city suffered from a lack of water due to the transition from the medieval warm period to the little ice age. Others dismiss this idea.

      However, a recently developed theory built on the work of French archaeologist Bemard- Philippe Groslier may have shed the most light on Angkor’s demise. The theory suggests that the Angkorian civilization was “defined, sustained, and ultimately overwhelmed by over-exploitation and the environmental impacts of a complex water-management network.” Its vast waterworks proved too great for the city to manage. Also, supplying such a massive empire with water had adverse effects on the environment. Ecological problems included deforestation, topsoil degradation, and erosion due in part to clearing vegetation for cropland. Thus, the city inadvertently brought about its own environmental collapse.

With the use of aerial photography and high-resolution, ground-sensing radar, researchers were able to support Groslier’s theory with images that complete existing topographical maps. The radar detected surface structures as well as subtle variances in surface vegetation and soil moisture. This proved that environmental erosion had occurred. The combined images and ground-based investigations further revealed that Angkor was a victim of its own industrial ingenuity, a city ahead of its time and vulnerable to its own power.

43.  The author mentions the Khmer Empire in paragraph 1 in order to …………..

A.     establish the size and importance of the civilization

B.     explain the downfall of the main city in the empire

C.  compare the nation’s size to a present-day location   

D.  demonstrate why people were not loyal to the city

44.  The word “speculation” in line 8 is closest in meaning to…………..

A.    evidence              B. mystery        C. question         D. growth

45.  According to paragraph 2, which of the following is true about the waterworks built within Angkor?

A.     They transported drinking water to Angkor Wat.

B.     They were a ,money-making venture for the city.

C.     They were built to extend the water supply.

D.     They irrigated fields along the sides of the river.

46.  All of the following are true about the city of Angkor EXCEPT …………..

A. It was built around a water source.       B. It had an advanced road system,

C. It surpassed other cities of its time.       D. It is home to a Buddhist shrine.

47.  The word “its” in line 14 refers to       …………. .

A. Angkor’s              B. baray’s          C. waterworks’  D. home’s

48.  The word “sophisticated” in line 15 is closest in meaning to …………..

A. advanced             B. fantastic        C. educated        D. thorough

49.  Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect choices may change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

A.     Archaeologists built a replica of what Angkor looked like.

B.     Archaeologists uncovered the overgrown city and rebuilt its sites.

C. Finding the city, workers cleared the forest and studied the architecture.

D. The city’s architecture was inspired by the forest regions nearby.

50.  What can be inferred from paragraph 4 about the people who inhabited Angkor?

A.    They worshipped ruler Jayavarman VII.

B.     Hinduism was central to their way of life,

C.     Religion led to more violence among them.

D. They were unified regardless of national religion.

51.  The word “inadvertently” in line 52 is closest in meaning to ………….

A. purposely              B. freely          c. sadly             D. accidentally

52. According to paragraph 7 (lines 53-59), which of the following did researchers prove about Groslier’s theory with the use of aerial photography and advanced radar?

A.  The surface soil showed evidence of dừt washing away.

B.  The waterworks were filled with topsoil.

C. Vegetation was thriving where soil was deeper.

D. Soil damage was stable throughout the changes.

`COMPARISION OF ADJECTIVES

 Rewrite the following sentences beginning as shown or do as directed in brackets:

No city in Viet Nam is more populous than Ho Chi Minh city

              Ho Chi Minh city is   ______________________________________________________

2.  Ho chi Minh city is more populous than Da Nang city.

       Da Nang city isn’t _______________________________________________________

3. No city in Viet Nam is more historic than Ha Noi city

      Ha Noi city is   ___________________________________________________________

4. The teacher says that no student in the school is noisier than I am!

      My teacher says that I’m ____________________________________________________

5. Nam is younger than Ba.

      Ba _____________________________________________________________________

6. I think there is no city in Viet Nam more liveable than Da Nang city

________________________________ most _________________________________

7. My brother isn’t as tall as me.

      My brother is ____________________________________ me.

8. This exercise is easier than the last one.

      This exercise is ____________________________________________ as the last one.

       This exercise _____________________________________________ than the last one.

9. There are more boys than girl in our class. (AS)

      There are __________________________________ as boys in our class.

10. No chair in the room is more comfortable than this one.

      This chair  _______________________________________________

11. No student in my class as clever as Hilary.

      Hilary is _____________________________________

12. Mr. Nam is more careful than Mr. Lam.

Mr. Lam ____________________________________________________________________

Mr. Lam ____________________________________________________________________

13.  Nobody in my class is taller than John.

John _______________________________________________________________________

14. Ba is more intelligent than any students in his class.

No ________________________________________________________________________

No ________________________________________________________________________

15.Lan is the best student in my class

No ________________________________________________________________________

No ________________________________________________________________________

15. She is better at English than me

I ____________________________

16. This camera is cheaper than that camera

That camera is not ___________________________

17. Quang is lazier than Ha.

Ha is ______________________________________

Ha is not ___________________________________

18. A city is noisier than a village.

A village __________________________________

19. Ha Noi is large. Bangkok is larger and Tokyo is the largest.

Tokyo ____________________________ the three cities

20. The painting is bigger than the photograph (as…as)

         __________________________________________________

21. Quang is lazier than Ha.

Ha ________________________________________

22. A city is noisier than a village.

A village _______________________________________

A village _________________________________________

1. In summer, Da Nang is hot, but Vinh is hotter

Vinh _________________________________________

23. Hoi An isn’t as modern as Da Nang.

Da Nang ___________________________________

24. Kiet is the best at English in his class.

No student ______________________________________

25. No city in Viet Nam is more liveable than Da Nang city.

Da Nang _______________________________________

26. Nobody is older than my grandfather in my famiy.

My grandfather __________________________________

 27. Da Nang isn’t as polluted as Ho Chi Minh city.

       Ho Chi Minh city _________________________________

 28. Da Nang is noisier than Hoi An

       Hoi An _________________________________________

       Hoi An isn’t ________________________________________

29. This car is cheaper than that one.

      That car is ___________________________________________

      That car isn’t ________________________________________

30. My sister is more beautiful than me.

     I ___________________________________________________

     I ___________________________________________________

1. I’ll make ________________ for the meeting tonight. (arrange)

2. There was still no _________________on what to do next. (agree)

3. Ho Chi Minh City is an important ___________________ center. (commerce)

 4. Michael Faraday is a great………………………….. (invent)

 5. We’re thinking of ________________ to Australia. (emigrate)

 6. There was an ___________________ of painting at the Art Gallery. (exhibit)

7. Your order is ready for ___________________ (deliver)

 8. This old man is ___________________ in one ear. (deafen)

9. Thomas Watson was Bell’s ______________________(assist)

 10. He was ___________________in demonstrating his invention. (success)

 11. Trung and his brother like____________ movies very much.  (act)

 12. Bell experimented with ways of transmitting ___________ a long distance.  (speak)

13. That little girl can dance________________ (beauty)

14. ______________, the barber cut my hair too short. ( luck )

15.__________________,  He was ill on the day  of the Pop festival. (fortunate)

16.There were a lot of…………………living in the USA.(emigrate)

17.He demonstrated his inventions………………………. (success)

18.Bell demonstrated his ________________ at a lot of exhibitions. (inventor)

19.He was asked to _______________ how to connect with the Internet.(demonstration)

20.We have to make careful _______ for our trip to Malaysia. (arrange)

VIII. Rewrite.

1. Lan isn’t as good at Mathematics as Mai.

Mai is___________________________________________________________________.

2. No other city in Viet Nam is as large as Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City is the_____________________________________________________.

3. Nowadays thing are not as cheap as they were.

Nowadays things are more___________________________________________________.

4. Have you got a cheaper school bag than this?

Is this the________________________________________________________________?

5. This exercise is not as difficult as that one.

That exercise_____________________________________________________________.

6. Minh is 25 years old. Nam only 13 years old.

Nam is__________________________________________________________________.

7. Mai is not as intelligent as Hoa.

Hoa is__________________________________________________________________.

8. His birthday is on Sunday.

He is___________________________________________________________________.

9. The CD is 20,000 dong, the cassette is 12,000 dong. (expensive)

The CD​

10. The church is built in 1878 and the library in 1925. (old)

The church​

11. Andrew hasn’t many friends. Clare has lots of friends. (popular)

Clare​

12. The film lasts two and a half hours, but the videotape is only two hours long. (long)

The film​

13. It takes four hours to go by car and five hours to go by train. (slow) .

Going by train​

14. Laure’s room has a lot of pictures and flowers. Mark’s room doesn’t have any pictures. (interesting)

Laura's room​

15. Daneil can lift 9O kilos, but Matthew can lift 120 kilos. (strong)

Matthew​

16. There are a lot of vehicles on the streets in the city. There are a few vehicles on the streets in the countryside. (crowded)

The streets in the city​

17. The buses run every 30 minutes. The trains run very hour. (frequent)

The buses​

18. Yesterday the temperature was six degrees. Today it's only three degrees. (cold)

It ​

19. Richard is younger than he looks (old)

Richard isn‘t​

20. This hotel is more comfortable than all the others. (most)

This hotel​

21. The table and the desk are the same size. (big)

The table​

22. I‘m not as fit as my brother. (am)

My brother is​

23. The dress is cheaper than the skirt. (expensive)

The skirt​

24. The living-room isn’t as big as the kitchen. (than)

The kitchen​

25. I’ve never read a more interesting story. (most)

It’s​

26. No one in my class is as clever as‘ John. (the)

John​

27. “Turn off all the lights when you go out,” Jane said to Tim.

Jane​

28. ‘You should take more exercises, Mr Roberts,’ the doctor said.

The doctor​

29. No one in the group is younger than Jane.

Jane is​

30. It’s nearly two years since we saw Joanna.

We haven’t​

31. My sister dances very well.

My sister is​

32. The last time I saw him was in 1985.

I haven’t​

33. When did you begin to learn English?

How long​

34. Are you and Jane the same age?

Are you as​

35. I expected my friends to arrive at 4 o'clock. but they arrived at 2.30.

My friends​

36. “Don't walk on the grass,” the gardener said to us.

The gardener​

II give correct form of the word

11 Ho Chi Minh City is a busy ...........................center in viet nam ( commerce )

`12 of Vietnam's many ..................................., Buddhism is the most poular ( religious)

13 Vietnamese women now are ........................of wearing the ao dai as their ..............................dress ( pride - tradition )

14 She often listens to music for ............................( relax)

15 Children living in inner-city areas may be ..............................disadvantaged ( educate)

IV. Use the correct form of the word given in each sentence.

1. I’ll make an _____________________ for the meeting tonight. (ARRANGE)                 2. Ho Chi Minh City is an important ____________________ center. (COMMERCE)          

3. A. G. Bell was ___________________ in demonstrating his invention.   (SUCCESS)    

4. Your order is ready for ______________________.          (DELIVER)

5. They were very__________________ to pass the exem (LUCK)                                        

6. Thomas Watson was Bell’s ___________________.              (ASSIST)                                  

7. What is the _________ between the Moon and the Earth?      (DISTANT)

8. There was a wave of________________ from Europe to America in the 19th century.     (EMIGRATE)

9. Alexander G. Bell was among the greatest _________ of all times.              (INVENT)

10. This program is a live ___________ from the Olympic Games.             (TRANSMIT)