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Read the following story by Melalin Mahavongtrakul from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Nguyen Huong Giang beamed with happiness as she accepted the crown to become Miss International Queen 2018, one of the world’s most prestigious transgender beauty pageants.
FIRST CROWN
The pageant took place at Miss Tiffany’s Show Theatre in Pattaya, which has been home to the competition since its beginning in 2004. The 27-year-old Nguyen - a singer and celebrity in her country - is the first ever Vietnamese entrant to win the competition.
After the show, the newly crowned beauty was swarmed by fans and media. She shared a laugh with her fellow contestants and runners-up. Then, a picture-perfect moment came when the beauty queen embraced her parents. Her mother kissed her on the cheek while her father raised the golden trophy high.
FROM THE HEART
Nguyen was born and raised in Hanoi. She realised early on who she was, but it took some time for others to come around to the idea.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve never thought of myself as a boy. I used to dream that I was wearing a fishtail dress. My hand was holding a microphone. After I woke up, I realised I wanted to grow up to become a girl - a good, beautiful girl,” Nguyen said.
At first, this wasn’t something her parents were ready for.
“They didn’t accept me,” said Nguyen. “I eventually had to come to Thailand alone to get a sex-change operation. It was dangerous and painful. I wondered why a family wouldn’t be with their child when she needed them most.”
CULTURAL BARRIERS
The disapproval and general challenges didn’t stop Nguyen from pursuing her dream. She participated in TV shows such as Vietnam Idol and Dancing With the Stars. She also won The Amazing Race Vietnam Season 3 in 2014. In her country, she’s a singer, celebrity and idol to many. Her Facebook account has over 529,000 followers.
“My parents later apologised when they realised that I could still be successful and be a good person regardless of my gender. They’ve supported me ever since,” said Nguyen.
Upon winning Miss International Queen 2018, Nguyen stated that she hopes this can become a platform to raise the visibility of transgender people around the globe, especially in her own country.
“I want everybody to give transgender people a chance so they can be stronger and go to work and school like normal people. Transgender people want to be happy in life the same way that everybody else does.”
LEGAL POINTS
The transgender rights situation in Vietnam has seen a steady improvement in recent years. In the past, sex reassignment surgery was illegal. Many Vietnamese transgender people sought operations abroad, with Thailand among the most commonly chosen destinations.
In November 2015, the Vietnamese National Assembly finally lifted the ban on sex reassignment surgery and allowed those who have undergone surgery to register under their preferred gender. The law went into effect in January last year.
Section 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What is the article about?
a. Sex reassignment surgery.
b. A transgender’s story.
c. Vietnamese law.
2. Where did Miss International Queen 2018 take place?
a. In Hanoi.
b. In Pattaya.
c. In Pattani.
3. When was the competition held for the first time?
a. In 2004.
b. In 2010.
c. In 2014.
4. How old is Nguyen?
a. 23 years old.
b. 25 years old.
c. 27 years old.
5. Where was Nguyen raised?
a. In Hanoi.
b. In Pattaya.
c. In Pattani.
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. Nguyen’s Facebook account has more than 5 million followers.
b. Nguyen won Vietnam Idol.
c. Nguyen is a popular performer in her country.
7. Which of the following statements is NOT true, according to the article?
a. Nguyen is the first Vietnamese to win Miss International Queen.
b. Nguyen’s parents didn’t accept her.
c. Nguyen underwent a sex-change operation in Vietnam.
Section 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
| 8. prestigious | a. to remove or end restrictions |
| 9. steady | b. developing or growing gradually and in an even and regular way |
| 10. lift | c. to have a big happy smile on your face |
| 11. beam | d. a feeling that you do not like an idea, an action or somebody’s behaviour |
| 12.disapproval |
e. respected and admired as very important or of very high quality |
Section 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
Unlike …..13….. her fellow contestants, Nguyen said she had no background …..14….. beauty pageants, as this is not something Vietnam is really accepting of. “I’m not Miss Transgender in my country. I’m just a singer. But I came here with my dreams, …..15….. that transgender people can …..16….. better jobs and lives.” She said she wishes there were more …..17….. competitions such as this in Vietnam, or more activities …..18….. transgender people to join in order for them to gain a …..19….. sense of community.
13.
a. some
b. many
c. many of
14.
a. in
b. of
c. under
15.
a. hoped
b. hope
c. hoping
16.
a. having
b. have
c. had
17.
a. professionally
b. profession
c. professional
18.
a. from
b. for
c. with
19.
a. real
b. really
c. reality
Section 4
Write down the simple present tense of the following verbs used in the story.
20. undergone
……………………
21. chosen
……………………
22. won
……………………
23. sought
……………………
24. thought
……………………
Answers
Section 1
1. b.
2. b.
3. a.
4. c.
5. a.
6. c.
7. c.
Section 2
8. e.
9. b.
10. a.
11. c.
12. d.
Section 3
13. c.
14. a.
15. c.
16. b.
17. c.
18. b.
19. a.
Section 4
20. Undergo.
21. Choose.
22. Win.
23. Seek.
24. Think.
SCORE
21-24: Excellent!
17-20: Good.
13-16: Fair.
12 or fewer: You'll do better next time!
