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Read the following story by Melalin Mahavongtrakul from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Thailand’s oldest zoo, Dusit Zoo, will be moved from its present location in central Bangkok to Pathum Thani.
HISTORIC SITE
Also known as Khao Din, Dusit Zoo was originally built by King Chulalongkorn as a private garden adjacent to Dusit Palace. In 1938, the government asked King Rama VIII’s regency council to open the land to the public as a zoo. It then came under the operation of Bangkok City Municipality, before the Zoological Park Organisation (ZPO) took it over in 1954. However, the land still belongs to the Crown Property Bureau.
Today, the 118-rai site is home to over 1,600 animals and attracts an average of 2.5 million visitors per year.
A NEW HOME
The move to Pathum Thani is set to happen sometime in 2019. The ZPO has set up two committees to handle planning for the new zoo, as well as oversee the move of both the zoo itself and the ZPO headquarters.
The new Dusit Zoo will occupy a 300-rai space - land bestowed to the ZPO by HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn - allowing for a more modern zoo that will serve as an attraction for both leisure and learning for people of all ages.
ONE MORE TIME
The news of the move was met with an emotional response. This wasn’t just because the city was losing its oldest zoo. It was also because of the memories that so many associate with the place. The zoo’s popularity has endured over the years and it has acquired a nostalgic charm.
Last December, many people visited the zoo for what could be their last time. Patchapa Phetphum, a 35-year-old employee at a design company, has been a fan since she was young. She remembers going to see the animals with her parents as a child. So when word came that Dusit Zoo was moving, she didn’t hesitate to bring her own three sons to the see it in its original location before they wouldn’t be able to anymore.
“When I was a kid, my parents brought me here. We got a photo on a plate just like this time!” she said. “It’s a piece of memory I can put up at home. Even after the zoo moves, I’ll have something to remember it by.”
SO SAD TO SAY GOODBYE
Patchapa said that there isn’t really anywhere else in Bangkok like Dusit Zoo, where visitors can spend the day among the greenery and wild animals. However, she said she was open to the idea of the relocation if it meant improvements, such as more space and better treatment for the animals.
In contrast, office worker Chonlada Krachangsri, 43, isn’t sure about the move, feeling that going all the way to Pathum Thani may just be too far. She recently brought her 2-year-old niece to the zoo, saying the young girl is really fond of the place.
“It will be sad to see Dusit Zoo go,” Chonlada said.
Dusit Zoo is open daily from 8 am – 6 pm. For more information, visit www.dusit.zoothailand.org.
SECTION 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. How many animals live at Dusit Zoo?
a. About 118.
b. About 1,600.
c. About 2.5 million.
2. When is the zoo scheduled to be relocated?
a. Next year.
b. In two years.
c. In three years.
3. Patchapa says which of the following about the zoo?
a. There’s nowhere else in the city like it.
b. She’s looking forward to visiting the zoo in its new location.
c. She doesn’t think the move is a good idea.
4. How much does a child’s ticket at Dusit Zoo cost?
a. 20 baht.
b. 50 baht.
c. 100 baht.
5. Who currently operates the zoo?
a. The Crown Property Bureau.
b. The Zoological Park Organisation.
c. Bangkok City Municipality.
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. The area of land allocated for the new zoo is the same size as the original.
b. Patchapa Phetphum works for a government agency.
c. Chonlada Krachangsri thinks that the new location is too far away.
7. Which of the following statements is NOT true, according to the article?
a. The new zoo’s main aim will be to provide entertainment for children.
b. The zoo is next to Dusit Palace.
c. People were sad when they heard that the zoo is moving.
SECTION 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
| 8. adjacent | a. to be slow to speak or act because you feel uncertain or nervous |
| 9. hesitate | b. to make a connection between people or things in your mind |
| 10. bestow | c. to continue to exist for a long time |
| 11. greenery | d. next to or near something |
| 12. endure | e. attractive green leaves and plants |
| 13.associate | f. to give something to somebody, especially to show how much they are respected |
SECTION 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words form the choices given.
The …..14….. move won’t affect just visitors …..15….. the staff. Khoo Deeduaysakul, 70, a photographer at the photo shop …..16….. has been working at Dusit Zoo …..17….. over four decades, said the zoo is like a second home to him. He has been …..18….. generations of families that have come …..19….. the gates.
14.
a. eventually
b. eventual
c. eventuality
15.
a. including
b. together with
c. but also
16.
a. which
b. who
c. that
17.
a. for
b. from
c. in
18.
a. photograph
b. photographed
c. photographing
19.
a. on
b. out
c. through
SECTION 4
Specify whether each of the following words is used in the story as a verb, noun, adjective or adverb.
20. present
……………………
21. acquired
……………………
22. recently
……………………
23. leisure
……………………
24. handle
……………………
Answers
Section 1
1. b.
2. a.
3. a.
4. a.
5. b.
6. c.
7. a.
Section 2
8. d.
9. a.
10. f.
11. e.
12. c.
13. b.
Section 3
14. b.
15. c.
16. b.
17. a.
18. c.
19. c.
Section 4
20. Adjective.
21. Verb.
22. Adverb.
23. Noun.
24. Verb.
SCORE
21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!
