Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What is a discovery that you have heard of recently?
- What do archaeologists look for when they make discoveries?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- discovery /dih-SKUKHV-uh-ree/
- temple /TEM-puhl/
- fragment /FRAG-muhnt/
- expert /EK-spurt/
- tourism /TOOR-iz-uhm/
[noun] – the act of finding something new or the thing that was found
Scientists made a discovery about a new type of plant.
[noun] – a building used for religious ceremonies or worship
The ancient temple was built thousands of years ago.
[noun] – a small part or piece of something that is broken
I found a fragment of pottery in the ground.
[noun] – a person who has a lot of knowledge or skill in a particular area
He is an expert in ancient history.
[noun] – the business of providing services for people who travel for pleasure
Tourism brings a lot of money to the local economy.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A recent discovery at the Angkor temple complex in Cambodia has attracted significant attention. Archaeologists uncovered the torso of a Buddha statue at the Ta Prohm temple. This find is remarkable because it is believed to match a Buddha head discovered in 1927. The torso, standing 1.16 meters tall, is thought to date back to the 12th or 13th century and features the Bayon art style, associated with the Bayon temple. The archaeologists, including Neth Simon, found 29 other fragments near the torso, which were likely part of the same statue. Experts say the left-hand gesture of the statue is unique in Khmer art, making the discovery even more significant. The Buddha’s head is currently housed in Cambodia’s National Museum in Phnom Penh, and modern scanning technology has confirmed the connection between the torso and the head.
This discovery opens the possibility of reconstructing the statue, with the only missing part being the right hand. Neth Simon stated that the team would seek approval from the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts to reassemble the statue and display it to the public. The Angkor site, spanning 400 square kilometers, is a key archaeological location in Southeast Asia, attracting nearly a million visitors each year. Experts emphasize that preserving such artifacts is important for both historical understanding and tourism, a key part of Cambodia’s economy.
This discovery opens the possibility of reconstructing the statue, with the only missing part being the right hand. Neth Simon stated that the team would seek approval from the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts to reassemble the statue and display it to the public. The Angkor site, spanning 400 square kilometers, is a key archaeological location in Southeast Asia, attracting nearly a million visitors each year. Experts emphasize that preserving such artifacts is important for both historical understanding and tourism, a key part of Cambodia’s economy.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What was discovered at the Angkor temple complex?
- Where was the torso of the Buddha statue found?
- How tall is the torso of the Buddha statue?
- When is the Buddha statue believed to date back to?
- What style is the Buddha statue associated with?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been to a temple? If so, what was the most memorable thing you saw? If not, would you like to visit a temple in the future? Why or why not?
- Have you ever made a discovery in your life, like finding something important? If so, what was it, and how did you feel when you found it? If not, how would you feel if you made an important discovery?
- Do you agree that preserving historical artifacts is important for future generations?
- Why do you think archaeologists work so hard to preserve the past?
- In your opinion, should all discoveries be shared with the public, or should some remain private?