🎉Khmer New Year: three days of fun and water (A2, A2+, present simple, part 1/2)🎉

• Why Khmer New Year is the happiest and most exciting festival in Cambodia.

Khmer New Year is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia. It usually takes place in the middle of April. In 2026, it will be celebrated from April 14 to April 16. This festival marks the traditional New Year and the end of the rice harvest.

During Khmer New Year, many people travel back to their hometowns to spend time with their families. Before the holiday begins, people clean and decorate their homes. They want to start the new year in a clean and happy place.

Visiting temples is an important part of the celebration. Many families go to the temple to pray and bring food for the monks. They ask for good luck, good health, and success in the coming year. Some people also build small sand hills at the temple. This is a traditional religious activity.

Khmer New Year is also a time for fun. Young people play traditional games, dance together, and listen to music. There are many happy activities in villages and cities.

Another special tradition is pouring water on parents and grandparents. This shows respect and gives them good wishes for health and long life.

Khmer New Year is a joyful time when families and communities come together to celebrate and welcome a new beginning.

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Vocabulary:

• exciting – very fun and interesting.
• to take place – to happen.
• to celebrate – to do something special for a happy event.
• to mark the New Year – to show the start of the new year.
• harvest – the time when farmers collect crops from the field.
• a hometown – the town or city where a person grew up.
• to spend time with somebody – to be with someone for some time.
• to decorate – to make something look nice with colors or objects.
• good luck – good things happening to someone.
• success – doing something well and reaching a goal.
• health – how well your body feels and works.
• a sand hill – a small hill made of sand.
• an activity – something people do.
• a traditional game – a game people play for many years in a culture.
• to pour water on somebody – to put water on a person.
• to show respect – to be kind and polite to someone.
• to give good wishes – to say you hope good things happen to someone.
• joyful – very happy.
• a community – a group of people living in the same place.

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Vocabulary List

1. exciting
2. to take place
3. to celebrate
4. to mark the New Year
5. harvest
6. a hometown
7. to spend time with somebody
8. to decorate
9. good luck
10. success
11. health
12. a sand hill
13. an activity
14. a traditional game
15. to pour water on somebody
16. to show respect
17. to give good wishes
18. joyful
19. a community

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Match the words with the correct definitions:

A. a group of people living in the same place
B. something people do
C. to be with someone for some time
D. to do something special for a happy event
E. very fun and interesting
F. the town or city where a person grew up
G. to make something look nice with colors or objects
H. doing something well and reaching a goal
I. to put water on a person
J. very happy
K. a game people play for many years in a culture
L. a small hill made of sand
M. to be kind and polite to someone
N. good things happening to someone
O. to say you hope good things happen to someone
P. how well your body feels and works
Q. to show the start of the new year
R. the time when farmers collect crops from the field
S. to happen

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Answers:
1-E, 2-S, 3-D, 4-Q, 5-R, 6-F,
7-C, 8-G, 9-N, 10-H, 11-P,
12-L, 13-B, 14-K, 15-I,
16-M, 17-O, 18-J, 19-A
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Correct version:

exciting – very fun and interesting
to take place – to happen
to celebrate – to do something special for a happy event
to mark the New Year – to show the start of the new year
harvest – the time when farmers collect crops from the field
a hometown – the town or city where a person grew up
to spend time with somebody – to be with someone for some time
to decorate – to make something look nice with colors or objects
good luck – good things happening to someone
success – doing something well and reaching a goal
health – how well your body feels and works
a sand hill – a small hill made of sand
an activity – something people do
a traditional game – a game people play for many years in a culture
to pour water on somebody – to put water on a person
to show respect – to be kind and polite to someone
to give good wishes – to say you hope good things happen to someone
joyful – very happy
a community – a group of people living in the same place

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True or false:

1. A community is a group of people living in the same place.
2. To decorate means to make something look nice.
3. A sand hill is a big mountain of rock.
4. Good luck means bad things happen to someone.
5. A traditional game is a game people play for many years in a culture.
6. Harvest is the time when farmers collect crops from the field.
7. To show respect means to be rude to someone.
8. Joyful means very happy.
9. To pour water on somebody means to give someone a book.
10. An activity is something people do.
11. A hometown is the place where a person grew up.
12. Success means you fail to reach your goal.
13. Health means your body feels well and works well.
14. To celebrate means to sleep all day and do nothing.

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Answers:
1-T, 2-T, 3-F, 4-F, 5-T, 6-T, 7-F,
8-T, 9-F, 10-T, 11-T, 12-F, 13-T, 14-F
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Correct answers:

1. A community is a group of people living in the same place.
2. To decorate means to make something look nice.
3. A sand hill is a big mountain of rock.
   True is: A sand hill is a small hill made of sand.
4. Good luck means bad things happen to someone.
   True is: Good luck means good things happen to someone.
5. A traditional game is a game people play for many years in a culture.
6. Harvest is the time when farmers collect crops from the field.
7. To show respect means to be rude to someone.
   True is: To show respect means to be kind and polite to someone.
8. Joyful means very happy.
9. To pour water on somebody means to give someone a book.
   True is: To pour water on somebody means to put water on a person.
10. An activity is something people do.
11. A hometown is the place where a person grew up.
12. Success means you fail to reach your goal.
    True is: Success means doing something well and reaching a goal.
13. Health means your body feels well and works well.
14. To celebrate means to sleep all day and do nothing.
    True is: To celebrate means to do something special for a happy event.

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True or false:

1. Khmer New Year is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia.
2. Khmer New Year usually takes place in the middle of January.
3. In 2026, Khmer New Year will be celebrated from April 14 to April 16.
4. The festival marks the traditional New Year and the end of the rice harvest.
5. During Khmer New Year, many people travel to other countries for work.
6. Before the holiday begins, people clean and decorate their homes.
7. People want to start the new year in a clean and happy place.
8. Families go to the temple to buy clothes.
9. People ask for good luck, good health, and success in the coming year.
10. People build small sand hills at the temple as a traditional religious activity.
11. Young people sit quietly at home and do nothing during the festival.
12. Pouring water on parents and grandparents shows respect.
13. Khmer New Year is a sad time when people stay alone.
14. Khmer New Year welcomes a new beginning.

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True: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14

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Correct version:

1. Khmer New Year is one of the most important festivals in Cambodia.
2. Khmer New Year usually takes place in the middle of January.
   True is: Khmer New Year usually takes place in the middle of April.
3. In 2026, Khmer New Year will be celebrated from April 14 to April 16.
4. The festival marks the traditional New Year and the end of the rice harvest.
5. During Khmer New Year, many people travel to other countries for work.
   True is: During Khmer New Year, many people travel back to their hometowns to spend time with their families.
6. Before the holiday begins, people clean and decorate their homes.
7. People want to start the new year in a clean and happy place.
8. Families go to the temple to buy clothes.
   True is: Families go to the temple to pray and bring food for the monks.
9. People ask for good luck, good health, and success in the coming year.
10. People build small sand hills at the temple as a traditional religious activity.
11. Young people sit quietly at home and do nothing during the festival.
    True is: Young people play traditional games, dance together, and listen to music.
12. Pouring water on parents and grandparents shows disrespect.
    True is: Pouring water on parents and grandparents shows respect.
13. Khmer New Year is a sad time when people stay alone.
    True is: Khmer New Year is a joyful time when families and communities come together to celebrate.
14. Khmer New Year welcomes a new beginning.

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Multiple choice, one answer correct:

1. When does Khmer New Year usually take place?
   a) April
   b) January
   c) In the middle of June
2. How long does the festival last?
   a) One day
   b) Three days
   c) A few days in April
3. Why do people travel back to their hometowns?
   a) To visit friends in another city
   b) To buy clothes
   c) To spend time with family
4. What do people do to their homes before the holiday?
   a) Clean and decorate
   b) Paint the walls
   c) Make the house ready for guests
5. Why do families visit the temple?
   a) To celebrate with everyone
   b) To buy souvenirs
   c) To pray and bring food
6. What do people ask for at the temple?
   a) Money
   b) Good luck and health
   c) Happiness and long life
7. What do young people do during Khmer New Year?
   a) Stay at home
   b) Play traditional games and dance
   c) Sing songs and listen to music
8. What is a sand hill used for?
   a) Playground
   b) Small hill at the temple
   c) Traditional activity
9. Pouring water on parents and grandparents means:
   a) Joke
   b) Respect
   c) Blessings
10. What kind of festival is Khmer New Year?
    a) Joyful
    b) Sad
    c) Quiet
11. What marks the New Year during the festival?
    a) Holidays
    b) Traditional celebration
    c) The harvest ends
12. Where is Khmer New Year mainly celebrated?
    a) Cambodia
    b) Thailand
    c) Vietnam
13. When do people usually start preparing for the festival?
    a) After the festival
    b) Before the holiday
    c) During school
14. What is one common activity for families?
    a) Staying at home
    b) Travel abroad
    c) Celebrate together

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Answers (one line)

1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a, 5-c, 6-b, 7-b, 8-c, 9-b, 10-a, 11-b, 12-a, 13-b, 14-c

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Correct answers:

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1. When does Khmer New Year usually take place? – April
2. How long does the festival last? – Three days
3. Why do people travel back to their hometowns? – To spend time with family
4. What do people do to their homes before the holiday? – Clean and decorate
5. Why do families visit the temple? – To pray and bring food
6. What do people ask for at the temple? – Good luck and health
7. What do young people do during Khmer New Year? – Play traditional games and dance
8. What is a sand hill used for? – Traditional activity
9. Pouring water on parents and grandparents means: – Respect
10. What kind of festival is Khmer New Year? – Joyful
11. What marks the New Year during the festival? – Traditional celebration
12. Where is Khmer New Year mainly celebrated? – Cambodia
13. When do people usually start preparing for the festival? – Before the holiday
14. What is one common activity for families? – Celebrate together

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Fill in, words below:

success – traditional – takes – clean – marks –
monks – respect – decorate – joyful –
lasts – sand hills – hometowns –
celebration – together

1. Khmer New Year usually __________ place in the middle of April.
2. Families go to the temple to pray and bring food for __________.
3. People travel to their __________ to spend time with family.
4. The festival __________ the traditional New Year and the end of the rice harvest.
5. People clean and __________ their homes before the holiday begins.
6. Pouring water on parents and grandparents shows _________ and gives blessings.
7. People ask for good luck, good health, and __________ at the temple.
8. The festival is __________ and brings families together.
9. Some people build small __________ at the temple as a traditional activity.
10. Families come __________ to celebrate and welcome a new beginning.
11. The festival usually __________ three days.
12. During the holiday, young people play __________ games and dance.
13. Visiting temples is an important part of the __________.
14. People want to start the new year in a __________ and happy place.

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Correct version:

1. Khmer New Year usually takes place in the middle of April.
2. Families go to the temple to pray and bring food for monks.
3. People travel to their hometowns to spend time with family.
4. The festival marks the traditional New Year and the end of the rice harvest.
5. People clean and decorate their homes before the holiday begins.
6. Pouring water on parents and grandparents shows respect and gives blessings.
7. People ask for good luck, good health, and success at the temple.
8. The festival is joyful and brings families together.
9. Some people build small sand hills at the temple as a traditional activity.
10. Families come together to celebrate and welcome a new beginning.
11. The festival usually lasts three days.
12. During the holiday, young people play traditional games and dance.
13. Visiting temples is an important part of the celebration.
14. People want to start the new year in a clean and happy place.

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Interview on Khmer New Year

1. What is Khmer New Year?

• Khmer New Year is a festival to celebrate the traditional New Year.

2. When does Khmer New Year take place?

• It takes place in the middle of April.

3. How long does the festival last?

• The festival lasts three days.

4. Why do people travel to their hometowns?

• People travel to their hometowns to spend time with their families.

5. What do people do to their homes before the festival?

• They clean and decorate their homes.

6. Where do families go to pray?

• Families go to the temple to pray.

7. What do people bring to the temple?

• They bring food for the monks.

8. What do people ask for at the temple?

• They ask for good luck, good health, and success.

9. Who plays traditional games during the festival?

• Young people play traditional games during the festival.

10. How do people show respect to parents and grandparents?

• They pour water on their parents and grandparents.

11. What do some people build at the temple?

• Some people build small sand hills at the temple.

12. Why do people clean their homes before the New Year?

• They want to start the new year in a clean and happy place.

13. How do families celebrate together?

• Families celebrate together by visiting temples and playing games.

14. What makes Khmer New Year joyful?

• Khmer New Year is joyful because families and communities come together.

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Put these 6 events in the correct order:

1. People clean and decorate their homes.
2. Families travel back to their hometowns.
3. Families visit the temple to pray and bring food.
4. Young people play traditional games and dance.
5. Some people build small sand hills at the temple.
6. People pour water on parents and grandparents to show respect.

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Answer key: 2, 1, 3, 5, 4, 6

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Corrrect sequence:

1. Families travel back to their hometowns.
2. People clean and decorate their homes.
3. Families visit the temple to pray and bring food.
4. Some people build small sand hills at the temple.
5. Young people play traditional games and dance.
6. People pour water on parents and grandparents to show respect.

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Khmer New Year – Fill in the table

Activity	Who does it?	Why / Purpose
Travel back to hometowns
Clean and decorate homes
Visit the temple
Build small sand hills
Play traditional games and dance
Pour water on parents and grandparents

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Correct version:

Activity	Who does it?	Why / Purpose
Travel back to hometowns	Families / people	To spend time with family
Clean and decorate homes	Families / people	To start the new year in a clean and happy place
Visit the temple	Families / people	To pray and bring food for monks
Build small sand hills	Some people	Traditional religious activity
Play traditional games and dance	Young people	Fun and celebration
Pour water on parents and grandparents	People / families	To show respect and give blessings

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