TEST YOURSELF: Nature breaks

Go smell the flowers at these winter gardens

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Read the following story by Suthivas Tanphaibul from the Bangkok Post’s Guru Magazine. Then, answer the questions that follow.

A cool breeze in the morning (you may not feel it yet in Bangkok) means the beginnings of winter. And as the temperature drops, floral parks across the country spring up and are in full bloom. Here are some seasonal gardens you could check out while they last.


I Love Flower Farm
Chiang Mai, Dec 24 to Apr 30, 2022

Every inch of the fields offers different moods and tones for IG moments. The entrance fee is B90 per person for the flower landscape, though they are only open from Dec 24 until Apr 30. The farm has teamed up with Tethering Balloon Thailand to take your flower field tour to new heights for B900 for adults and B500 for children. The hot air balloon ride service will be available from Dec 25 to Jan 9, 2022.

Manesorn Sunflower Field
Nakhon Ratchasima, until Jan

The farm catches eyes with its vast fields of gold measuring around 500 rai. Visiting Manesorn Sunflower Field is like entering a maze where you find landmarks and art installations hidden along each footpath. A wooden swing, windmills and cartoon sculptures, to name a few, await you to rediscover, or should I say, take selfies with. We recommend you visit the farm from 10am onwards when the sunflowers stand at attention, fully bloomed.

The Secret Garden at Kirimaya Khao Yai
Nakhon Ratchasima, until Jan 29

A gigantic bamboo dome with a zigzagging hallway set as a footbridge leads to a land of beauty. It will be lit up with thousands of light bulbs at night for the "Forest Of Illumination". You can also enjoy the tranquil atmosphere at the Stone Garden, stone art installations or the dock by the lake. The fair also whips up various dishes like moo krata and barbecue sets with a salad bar buffet.

Phu Lom Lo
Loei, from December to February
Phu Lom Lo is hailed as a "Thai sakura mountain", where the cascading valleys will be made appealing once a year by blooming wild Himalayan cherry trees. In season for only three months, December to February is when you can enjoy Thai sakura viewing.

Bua Tong Field at Doi Mae-U-Kho
Mae Hong Son, until January
This flowery hill is worth getting carsick from a ride that passes through almost 2,000 turns from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. From mid-November to the end of December, the valleys of Doi Mae-U-Kho are covered with blooming Mexican sunflowers or dok bua tong, a sign that a new beginning is close at hand.


Section 1: Write the correct answer in the space provided.
1. Which garden is open the longest? …………….
2. Which garden is reached by a twisting car ride? …………….
3. Which gardens have art installations? …………….
4. What time do sunflowers look the best? …………….
5. Which garden uses many lights?…………..
6. Which flowers have a special meaning? …………….

Section 2: Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
As winter breezes …7… through Mae Fah Luang in Chiang Rai, visitors can enjoy the …8… walking street in Thailand. The …9… winter festival "The Colour Of Doi Tung" …10… for its eighth year.
7. __A. sweep             __B. swept                __C. sweeps
8. __A. high                 __B. higher              __C. highest
9. __A. annual            __B. year              __C. month
10. __A. return            __B. returns                __C. returned
       
Section 3: Find words that match the following definitions.
11. changing according to the time of year ……………
12. a puzzle where you try to find a path from the entrance to the exit ……………
13. a large rounded roof that is shaped like half of a ball ……………
14. peaceful …………

Answers: 1. I Love Flower Farm. 2. Bua Tong Field. 3. Manesorn Sunflower Field, The Secret Garden. 4. 10am. 5. The Secret Garden. 6. dok bua tong. 7. a. 8. c. 9. a. 10. b. 11. seasonal. 12. maze. 13. dome. 14. tranquil.