©REUTERS/Napat Wesshasartar
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What images or ideas come to mind when you hear the words “farming” or “agriculture”?
- How do you think farming relates to the arts?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- diverse /dih-VURS/
- agriculture /AG-ri-kuhl-cher/
- appeal /uh-PEEL/
- contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot /
- aspect /AS-pekt/
[adjective] – varied or different
The restaurant offered a diverse menu, featuring dishes from various cuisines around the world.
[noun] – the practice or work of farming
Sustainable agriculture aims to balance food production with environmental stewardship.
[noun] – power to attract, please, or stimulate the mind of someone
The novel’s universal themes give it a broad appeal to readers of all ages.
[verb] – to be one of the reasons why something happens
Volunteering can contribute to personal growth and community development.
[noun] – a particular part or feature of something, especially one that is essential or characteristic
We discussed every aspect of the project to ensure a comprehensive understanding among the team.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In the picturesque rice fields of Ban Khon Sung, Thailand, a resourceful farmer named Tanyapong Jaikham has transformed his paddies into lively artworks, featuring cartoon cats crafted from rainbow-colored seedlings. Collaborating with a skilled team, Tanyapong strategically planted the seedlings in diverse locations, creating charming scenes such as a slumbering cat embracing a fish. The project, with precise GPS coordination and an initial artist’s sketch, anticipates tens of thousands of tourists and cat enthusiasts visiting the rice fields in the northern province of Chiang Rai. As the seedlings grow, they transform into a vibrant portrait of Cooper, the modeled cat, during the final harvest. Viewing towers are being built to enhance the visitor experience, providing a panoramic view of the captivating artwork. This initiative not only celebrates creativity but also promotes tourism and agriculture, challenging the traditional view of rice solely as a food source.
In addition to its appeal to tourists, Tanyapong envisions an educational opportunity, especially for young individuals intrigued by the intersection of art and technology. This innovative approach underscores the evolving role of rice fields, turning them into canvases that contribute to the cultural and economic aspects of the community. As Thailand, the world’s second-largest rice exporter, aims to ship 8.5 million metric tons this year, this creative fusion of agriculture and art showcases how ingenuity can weave together to enhance the local economy.
In addition to its appeal to tourists, Tanyapong envisions an educational opportunity, especially for young individuals intrigued by the intersection of art and technology. This innovative approach underscores the evolving role of rice fields, turning them into canvases that contribute to the cultural and economic aspects of the community. As Thailand, the world’s second-largest rice exporter, aims to ship 8.5 million metric tons this year, this creative fusion of agriculture and art showcases how ingenuity can weave together to enhance the local economy.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the farmer’s name who transformed his rice fields into artwork?
- How did Tanyapong strategically plant the seedlings, and what did he create with them?
- What is the purpose of building viewing towers in the rice fields?
- Apart from attracting tourists, what does Tanyapong hope to achieve with his initiative?
- According to the article, what does the creative fusion of agriculture and art showcase in terms of the local economy?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a place where art was used to celebrate the local culture, like the rice fields in Ban Khon Sung, Thailand? If yes, what was your experience like? If not, would you be interested in exploring such artistic expressions during your travels?
- Do you know someone who has combined creativity with agriculture, similar to Tanyapong turning rice fields into artwork? If yes, can you share their story? If not, can you think of other ways in which creativity and agriculture could be merged for a positive impact on a community?
- Do you think Tanyapong’s project of turning rice fields into artwork is a creative way to promote tourism and agriculture?
- How might the intersection of art and agriculture, as seen in Tanyapong’s project, challenge traditional perspectives about the purpose of certain landscapes, such as rice fields?
- In what ways do you think initiatives like Tanyapong’s, which combine creativity with agriculture, can have long-term impacts on a community’s economy and cultural identity?