• Toraja, a must-see

Before starting the exercise make sure you are familiar
with past simple
(negation, question, short answer)!

Infinitive	Past	A1 definition
travel	travelled	to go to another place
be	was / were	to exist or to be in a place
have	had	to own or experience something
see	saw	to look at something
hold	held	to have an event
go	went	to move to another place
come	came	to move to a place
wear	wore	to have clothes on your body
lead	led	to guide people
say	said	to speak words
exchange	exchanged	to give something and get something back
pray	prayed	to speak to God
change	changed	to make something different
sit	sat	to be on a chair or seat
take	took	to get or carry something
watch	watched	to look at something for some time
look	looked	to use your eyes to see something
fill	filled	to make a place full
play	played	to make music with an instrument
dance	danced	to move your body to music
move	moved	to change your position
enjoy	enjoyed	to have a good time
walk	walked	to move on your feet
congratulate	congratulated	to say something nice after good news
wish	wished	to want something good for someone
ask	asked	to say something to get an answer
cook	cooked	to make food
prepare	prepared	to make something ready
give	gave	to hand something to someone
talk	talked	to speak with someone
eat	ate	to put food in your mouth
spend	spent	to use time doing something
learn	learned	to get new knowledge

In 2023, I _____ (travel) to Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. During my visit, I _____ (have) the chance to see a Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding. It _____ (be) a very special experience. The wedding _____ (have) two parts. First, the couple _____ (have) a Christian wedding ceremony in a church. After that, the family _____ (hold) a traditional Toraja wedding.

In the morning, the bride and groom _____ (go) to the church with their parents and other family members. Many friends and relatives also _____ (come). The bride _____ (wear) a beautiful white dress, and the groom _____ (wear) a dark suit. The pastor _____ (lead) the ceremony. The couple _____ (say) their wedding promises and _____ (exchange) rings. They also _____ (pray) with their families.

After the church ceremony, everyone _____ (go) to the village for the traditional wedding. The bride and groom _____ (change) into traditional Toraja clothes. Their clothes _____ (have) beautiful colours and special designs.

The traditional wedding _____ (take) place in the village square. Around the square, there _____ (be) open huts where local people _____ (sit) and _____ (watch) the celebration. The couple and their parents _____ (sit) on a kind of terrace above the square. From there, they _____ (can) look down at the people below.

Music _____ (fill) the village square. People _____ (play) traditional instruments, and groups of people _____ (dance). The dancers _____ (move) to the music while many people _____ (watch) them. Family members, friends and local people _____ (enjoy) the celebration together.

After the ceremony, the guests _____ (walk) up to the couple. We _____ (congratulate) the bride and groom and _____ (wish) them a happy life together. I _____ (be) the only European guest at the wedding. The family _____ (be) very happy to have me there. They _____ (be) interested in me and _____ (ask) me to take a photo with the couple. I _____ (be) very happy about this special moment.

In the background, many women _____ (be) busy preparing the food for the guests. They _____ (cook) and _____ (prepare) many dishes for the large group of people. Everyone _____ (have) an important job at the wedding.

I really _____ (enjoy) the wedding. It _____ (be) a wonderful way to see Toraja family life, music, dancing and traditions.

____________________________

Correct version:

In 2023, I >travelled< to Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. During my visit, I >had< the chance to see a Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding. It >was< a very special experience. The wedding >had< two parts. First, the couple >had< a Christian wedding ceremony in a church. After that, the family >held< a traditional Toraja wedding.

In the morning, the bride and groom >went< to the church with their parents and other family members. Many friends and relatives also >came<. The bride >wore< a beautiful white dress, and the groom >wore< a dark suit. The pastor >led< the ceremony. The couple >said< their wedding promises and >exchanged< rings. They also >prayed< with their families.

After the church ceremony, everyone >went< to the village for the traditional wedding. The bride and groom >changed< into traditional Toraja clothes. Their clothes >had< beautiful colours and special designs.

The traditional wedding >took< place in the village square. Around the square, there >were< open huts where local people >sat< and >watched< the celebration. The couple and their parents >sat< on a kind of terrace above the square. From there, they >could< look down at the people below.

Music >filled< the village square. People >played< traditional instruments, and groups of people >danced<. The dancers >moved< to the music while many people >watched< them. Family members, friends and local people >enjoyed< the celebration together.

After the ceremony, the guests >walked< up to the couple. We >congratulated< the bride and groom and >wished< them a happy life together. I >was< the only European guest at the wedding. The family >was< very happy to have me there. They >were< interested in me and >asked< me to take a photo with the couple. I >was< very happy about this special moment.

In the background, many women >were< busy preparing the food for the guests. They >cooked< and >prepared< many dishes for the large group of people. Everyone >had< an important job at the wedding.

I really >enjoyed< the wedding. It >was< a wonderful way to see Toraja family life, music, dancing and traditions.

___________________________

Vocabulary:

• a funeral – a time when people come together after someone dies
• a wedding – a day when two people get married
• an experience – something that happens to you
• a bride – a woman who is getting married
• a groom – a man who is getting married
• a family member – a person in your family
• a relative – a person in your family
• a suit – a set of clothes, usually a jacket and trousers
• a pastor – a Christian person who leads church services
• a wedding promise – words that a couple says at a wedding
• a special design – a special way something is made or looks
• a village square – an open place in the middle of a village
• an open hut – a simple building with a roof and open sides
• a celebration – a happy event for a special day
• a terrace – a flat area outside or above the ground
• in the background – behind the main person or thing in a picture
• a dish – food served on a plate or in a bowl

###################

Answer each question with ONE word from the text:

1. Where did the writer travel in 2023?
   
   >>>YOU WRITE:
   >>>Tana
   
2. Where did the Christian wedding ceremony take place?
3. Who led the ceremony?
4. What did the bride wear?
5. What did the groom wear?
6. What did the couple exchange?
7. Where did the traditional wedding take place?
8. What did the couple wear at the traditional wedding?
9. What had beautiful colours and special designs?
10. What was around the village square?
11. Who sat in the open huts?
12. Who sat on the terrace?
13. What filled the village square?
14. What did people play?
15. What did groups of people do?
16. Who congratulated the bride and groom?
17. Who was the only European guest?
18. What did the family ask the writer to take?
19. What did the women prepare?
20. What did everyone have at the wedding?

_________________________

Correct answers:

1. Where did the writer travel in 2023?
   Tana
2. Where did the Christian wedding ceremony take place?
   church
3. Who led the ceremony?
   pastor
4. What did the bride wear?
   dress
5. What did the groom wear?
   suit
6. What did the couple exchange?
   rings
7. Where did the traditional wedding take place?
   square
8. What did the couple wear at the traditional wedding?
   clothes
9. What had beautiful colours and special designs?
   clothes
10. What was around the village square?
    huts
11. Who sat in the open huts?
    people
12. Who sat on the terrace?
    couple
13. What filled the village square?
    Music
14. What did people play?
    instruments
15. What did groups of people do?
    danced
16. Who congratulated the bride and groom?
    We
17. Who was the only European guest?
    writer
18. What did the family ask the writer to take?
    photo
19. What did the women prepare?
    food
20. What did everyone have at the wedding?
    job

###################

Find the information in the text and complete the sentences:

1. The writer travelled to __________ __________ in 2023.
2. Tana Toraja is in __________ __________.
3. The writer saw a Toraja funeral and a Toraja __________.
4. The wedding had __________ parts.
5. The couple had a Christian wedding ceremony in a __________.
6. The bride wore a beautiful __________ dress.
7. The groom wore a dark __________.
8. The couple exchanged __________.
9. The traditional wedding took place in the village __________.
10. The couple changed into traditional Toraja __________.
11. Around the square, there were open __________.
12. The couple and their parents sat on a kind of __________.
13. People played traditional __________.
14. Groups of people __________.
15. The writer was the only __________ guest.
16. The family asked the writer to take a __________ with the couple.
17. Many women were busy preparing the __________.
18. The women __________ and prepared many dishes.
19. Everyone had an important __________ at the wedding.
20. The writer really __________ the wedding.

—————————————

Correct version:

1. The writer travelled to Tana Toraja in 2023.
2. Tana Toraja is in South Sulawesi.
3. The writer saw a Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding.
4. The wedding had two parts.
5. The couple had a Christian wedding ceremony in a church.
6. The bride wore a beautiful white dress.
7. The groom wore a dark suit.
8. The couple exchanged rings.
9. The traditional wedding took place in the village square.
10. The couple changed into traditional Toraja clothes.
11. Around the square, there were open huts.
12. The couple and their parents sat on a kind of terrace.
13. People played traditional instruments.
14. Groups of people danced.
15. The writer was the only European guest.
16. The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.
17. Many women were busy preparing the food.
18. The women cooked and prepared many dishes.
19. Everyone had an important job at the wedding.
20. The writer really enjoyed the wedding.

##################

True or false:

1. The traditional wedding took place in the village square.
2. The writer travelled to Tana Toraja during the rainy season.
3. The bride and groom went to the church alone.
4. The pastor led the Christian ceremony.
5. The couple prayed with their families.
6. The couple and their parents sat below the people in the square.
7. Many women were preparing food in the background.
8. The writer was one of several European guests at the wedding.
9. The bride wore a beautiful red dress.
10. The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.
11. The writer saw both a Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding.
12. The wedding had three parts.
13. The dancers moved to the traditional music.
14. The couple exchanged flowers during the church ceremony.
15. The traditional wedding took place after the church ceremony.
16. The writer travelled to Tana Toraja in 2025.
17. The family was very happy to have the writer there.
18. The women prepared food only for the bride and groom.
19. The groom wore a white shirt and jeans.
20. The wedding gave the writer a chance to see Toraja family life and traditions.

________________________

True: 1,4,5,7,10,11,13,15,17,20

________________________

Correct version:

1. The traditional wedding took place in the village square.
2. The writer travelled to Tana Toraja during the rainy season.
   True is: The writer travelled to Tana Toraja in 2023.
3. The bride and groom went to the church alone.
   True is: The bride and groom went to the church with their parents and other family members.
4. The pastor led the Christian ceremony.
5. The couple prayed with their families.
6. The couple and their parents sat below the people in the square.
   True is: The couple and their parents sat on a kind of terrace above the square.
7. Many women were preparing food in the background.
8. The writer was one of several European guests at the wedding.
   True is: The writer was the only European guest at the wedding.
9. The bride wore a beautiful red dress.
   True is: The bride wore a beautiful white dress.
10. The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.
11. The writer saw both a Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding.
12. The wedding had three parts.
    True is: The wedding had two parts.
13. The dancers moved to the traditional music.
14. The couple exchanged flowers during the church ceremony.
    True is: The couple exchanged rings during the church ceremony.
15. The traditional wedding took place after the church ceremony.
16. The writer travelled to Tana Toraja in 2025.
    True is: The writer travelled to Tana Toraja in 2023.
17. The family was very happy to have the writer there.
18. The women prepared food only for the bride and groom.
    True is: The women prepared many dishes for the large group of guests.
19. The groom wore a white shirt and jeans.
    True is: The groom wore a dark suit.
20. The wedding gave the writer a chance to see Toraja family life and traditions.

###################

Match the people (1–10) with the correct actions (a–j):

1. The pastor
2. The bride
3. The groom
4. The couple
5. The dancers
6. Local people
7. The guests
8. The family
9. The writer
10. The women

a. prepared many dishes
b. wore a beautiful white dress
c. led the church ceremony
d. moved to the music
e. wore a dark suit
f. asked the writer to take a photo
g. played traditional instruments
h. exchanged rings
i. congratulated the bride and groom
j. enjoyed the special moment

____________________________

Answer key:
1 c, 2 b, 3 e, 4 h, 5 d, 6 g, 7 i, 8 f, 9 j, 10 a

____________________________

Full version:

The pastor led the church ceremony.

The bride wore a beautiful white dress.

The groom wore a dark suit.

The couple exchanged rings.

The dancers moved to the music.

Local people played traditional instruments.

The guests congratulated the bride and groom.

The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.

The writer was very happy about the special moment.

The women prepared many dishes for the guests.

####################

Number the events from 1–10 in the correct order:

1. The bride and groom changed into traditional Toraja clothes.
2. The couple exchanged rings in the church.
3. The guests congratulated the bride and groom.
4. The bride and groom went to the church with their families.
5. The women prepared food for the guests.
6. The family held the traditional Toraja wedding.
7. People played traditional instruments and danced.
8. The couple and their parents sat on a terrace above the square.
9. The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.
10. The pastor led the church ceremony.

_________________________

Answer key: 4, 3, 8, 1, 10, 6, 7, 5, 9, 2
_________________________

Correct version:

The bride and groom went to the church with their families.

The pastor led the church ceremony.

The couple exchanged rings in the church.

The bride and groom changed into traditional Toraja clothes.

The family held the traditional Toraja wedding.

The couple and their parents sat on a terrace above the square.

People played traditional instruments and danced.

The guests congratulated the bride and groom.

The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.

The women prepared food for the guests.

##################

What Happened? – Match the Two Halves

1. In the morning, the bride and groom went to the church
2. The pastor
3. The couple said their wedding promises
4. After the church ceremony, everyone went to the village
5. The bride and groom changed
6. The traditional wedding took place
7. The couple and their parents sat
8. People played traditional instruments
9. The dancers moved to the music
10. After the ceremony, the guests walked up
11. We congratulated the bride and groom
12. The family asked the writer
13. Many women were busy preparing the food
14. The women cooked and prepared many dishes
    

a. and wished them a happy life together.
b. to take a photo with the couple.
c. in the village square.
d. with their parents and other family members.
e. to traditional Toraja clothes.
f. to the couple.
g. and groups of people danced.
h. and prepared many dishes for the large group of people.
i. led the ceremony.
j. while many people watched them.
k. on a kind of terrace above the square.
l. for the traditional wedding.
m. for the guests.
n. and exchanged rings.

________________________

Answer key:
1 d, 2 i, 3 n, 4 l, 5 e, 6 c, 7 k, 8 g,
9 j, 10 f, 11 a, 12 b, 13 m, 14 h
________________________

Full version:

1. In the morning, the bride and groom went to the church with their parents and other family members.
2. The pastor led the ceremony.
3. The couple said their wedding promises and exchanged rings.
4. After the church ceremony, everyone went to the village for the traditional wedding.
5. The bride and groom changed into traditional Toraja clothes.
6. The traditional wedding took place in the village square.
7. The couple and their parents sat on a kind of terrace above the square.
8. People played traditional instruments and groups of people danced.
9. The dancers moved to the music while many people watched them.
10. After the ceremony, the guests walked up to the couple.
11. We congratulated the bride and groom and wished them a happy life together.
12. The family asked the writer to take a photo with the couple.
13. Many women were busy preparing the food for the guests.
14. The women cooked and prepared many dishes for the large group of people.

##################

Interview – match the questions and answers

Questions

1. Where did you travel in 2023?
2. What did you see during your visit?
3. How many parts did the wedding have?
4. Where was the Christian ceremony?
5. Who led the ceremony?
6. What did the couple exchange?
7. What clothes did the bride and groom wear?
8. Where did the traditional wedding take place?
9. What did people do during the celebration?
10. Who congratulated the bride and groom?
11. Why did the family ask you to take a photo?
12. How did you feel about the wedding?

Answers

a. The village square was the place for the traditional wedding.
b. The guests gave their congratulations to the bride and groom.
c. I was very happy about this special moment.
d. Traditional Toraja clothes were their clothes for the second ceremony.
e. The pastor was the leader of the ceremony.
f. There were two parts to the wedding.
g. Traditional music and dancing were part of the celebration.
h. A Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding were part of my visit.
i. The family was interested in me and wanted a photo with the couple.
j. The Christian ceremony took place in a church.
k. The couple exchanged rings.
l. My destination was Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

_________________________

Answer key:
1 l, 2 h, 3 f, 4 j, 5 e, 6 k, 7 d,
8 a, 9 g, 10 b, 11 i, 12 c
________________________

Correct version:

1. Interviewer: Where did you travel in 2023?
   Writer: My destination was Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
2. Interviewer: What did you see during your visit?
   Writer: A Toraja funeral and a Toraja wedding were part of my visit.
3. Interviewer: How many parts did the wedding have?
   Writer: There were two parts to the wedding.
4. Interviewer: Where was the Christian ceremony?
   Writer: The Christian ceremony took place in a church.
5. Interviewer: Who led the ceremony?
   Writer: The pastor was the leader of the ceremony.
6. Interviewer: What did the couple exchange?
   Writer: The couple exchanged rings.
7. Interviewer: What clothes did the bride and groom wear?
   Writer: Traditional Toraja clothes were their clothes for the second ceremony.
8. Interviewer: Where did the traditional wedding take place?
   Writer: The village square was the place for the traditional wedding.
9. Interviewer: What did people do during the celebration?
   Writer: Traditional music and dancing were part of the celebration.
10. Interviewer: Who congratulated the bride and groom?
    Writer: The guests gave their congratulations to the bride and groom.
11. Interviewer: Why did the family ask you to take a photo?
    Writer: The family was interested in me and wanted a photo with the couple.
12. Interviewer: How did you feel about the wedding?
    Writer: I was very happy about this special moment.

##################

Fill in, words below:

travelled · wedding · two · church · led · exchanged ·
village · clothes · square · danced ·
terrace · congratulated ·
photo · food

1. In 2023, I __________ to Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
2. During my visit, I had the chance to see a Toraja funeral and a Toraja __________.
3. The wedding had __________ parts.
4. The couple had a Christian wedding ceremony in a __________.
5. The pastor __________ the ceremony.
6. The couple said their wedding promises and __________ rings.
7. After the church ceremony, everyone went to the __________ for the traditional wedding.
8. The bride and groom changed into traditional Toraja __________.
9. The traditional wedding took place in the village __________.
10. People played traditional instruments, and groups of people __________.
11. The couple and their parents sat on a kind of __________ above the square.
12. The guests walked up to the couple and __________ them.
13. The family asked me to take a __________ with the couple.
14. Many women were busy preparing the __________ for the guests.

——————————————

Correct version:

1. In 2023, I –travelled– to Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
2. During my visit, I had the chance to see a Toraja funeral and a Toraja –wedding-.
3. The wedding had –two– parts.
4. The couple had a Christian wedding ceremony in a –church-.
5. The pastor –led– the ceremony.
6. The couple said their wedding promises and –exchanged– rings.
7. After the church ceremony, everyone went to the –village– for the traditional wedding.
8. The bride and groom changed into traditional Toraja –clothes-.
9. The traditional wedding took place in the village –square-.
10. People played traditional instruments, and groups of people –danced-.
11. The couple and their parents sat on a kind of –terrace– above the square.
12. The guests walked up to the couple and –congratulated– them.
13. The family asked me to take a –photo– with the couple.
14. Many women were busy preparing the –food– for the guests.

##################

##################

Summary in B2:

A Toraja Wedding

In 2023, I travelled to Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where I had the opportunity to experience both a Toraja funeral and a traditional wedding. The wedding was particularly memorable because it brought together Christian traditions and important elements of Toraja culture.

The day began with a Christian ceremony in a local church. The bride wore an elegant white dress, while the groom was dressed in a dark suit. Their parents, relatives, and friends attended the ceremony. The pastor led the service, during which the couple exchanged rings, made their wedding promises, and prayed together with their families.

After the church ceremony, the celebrations continued in the village. The bride and groom changed into colourful traditional Toraja clothes featuring distinctive designs. The main celebration took place in the village square, which was surrounded by open huts where local people gathered to watch. The couple and their parents sat on a raised terrace overlooking the square.

Traditional music and dancing created a lively atmosphere as family members, friends, and villagers celebrated together. Afterwards, guests approached the couple to offer their congratulations and good wishes.

As the only European guest, I attracted considerable interest from the family. They invited me to have a photograph taken with the newlyweds, which became one of the most memorable moments of my visit. Meanwhile, women prepared a variety of dishes for the guests.

The wedding gave me a fascinating insight into Toraja family life, traditions, and community spirit.

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Remember how babies
learn a language:

Babies learn a language by listening.
They use their ears to hear sounds.
Their brain remembers these sounds.
Babies connect sounds with people and things.
They listen to their parents.
Then they copy the sounds they hear. They imitate words.
Slowly, babies learn to speak.

So,
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN………………