• Fatima tells Zayna about her experience at a cultural festival in Solok

Dear Zayna,

How are you? I want to tell you about the Festival 5 Danau, which I visited in Solok with my family last year . We had heard that it was an important cultural event in the area, so we decided to spend a day there. We left our house early because we wanted to arrive before the festival became too crowded.

When we arrived, the area was already full of people. Families had come from nearby villages, and some visitors had travelled from other parts of West Sumatra. There was a lively atmosphere, with music playing, people talking and groups of visitors moving around. We walked through the festival area and looked at the different activities before choosing what we wanted to see.

One of the first performances we watched was a traditional Minangkabau dance. The dancers wore colourful traditional clothes and moved to the music. After that, we watched a martial arts performance. The performers moved very quickly and showed a lot of skill and concentration. I found it particularly interesting because I had never seen this kind of performance at a local festival before.

Later, we explored the area around the five lakes. We enjoyed the beautiful views of the lakes, green hills and nearby villages. We also stopped at several small stalls where local people sold handicrafts, clothes and other products. I bought a small handmade item as a souvenir. While we were looking around, we spoke to some villagers, who told us about their traditions and everyday lives.

In the afternoon, we watched a cultural parade. Groups from different villages walked through the festival area wearing traditional clothes. Each group had its own style, and some carried objects that represented their village. I liked this part of the festival because it showed how much local people valued their traditions.

We stayed until the main events had finished and then returned to Solok. We were tired after such a busy day, but we were happy with our experience. The festival gave us the opportunity to learn more about Minangkabau culture and to meet people from the surrounding area.

I thought you would have enjoyed it too. If you visited Solok one day, I would definitely recommend going to the Festival 5 Danau.

Best wishes,

Fatima

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Verbs – regular, irregular

Infinitive	Past simple	A2 definition
be	was/were	to exist or be in a place or situation
want	wanted	to wish to have or do something
tell	told	to give someone information
visit	visited	to go to a place for a short time
have	had	to own, hold, or experience something
hear	heard	to get information by listening
decide	decided	to choose what to do
spend	spent	to use time doing something
leave	left	to go away from a place
arrive	arrived	to get to a place
become	became	to start to be something
come	came	to go to a place
travel	travelled	to go from one place to another
play	played	to make music with an instrument
talk	talked	to speak to someone
move	moved	to change position or place
walk	walked	to go somewhere on foot
look	looked	to use your eyes to see something
choose	chose	to decide which thing you want
watch	watched	to look at something for some time
wear	wore	to have clothes on your body
show	showed	to let someone see something
find	found	to discover or notice something
see	saw	to notice something with your eyes
explore	explored	to travel around a place to learn about it
enjoy	enjoyed	to like something and have a good time
stop	stopped	to finish moving or doing something
sell	sold	to give something to someone for money
buy	bought	to get something by paying money
speak	spoke	to talk to someone
carry	carried	to hold and take something somewhere
represent	represented	to show or stand for something
like	liked	to enjoy or think something is good
value	valued	to think something is important
finish	finished	to complete something
return	returned	to go back to a place
give	gave	to provide something for someone
meet	met	to see and spend time with someone
think	thought	to have an idea or opinion
recommend	recommended	to say that something is good to do

Word / phrase	A2 definition
an experience	something that happens to you and that you remember
to be crowded	to have many people in one place
a lively atmosphere	a place or situation that is full of energy and activity
a performance	an activity where people show something to an audience
traditional clothes	clothes that people wear as part of their culture
martial arts	sports or skills for fighting and protecting yourself
a performer	a person who acts, dances, sings, or does something for an audience
skill	the ability to do something well
to explore	to travel around a place and learn about it
to enjoy	to like something and have a good time
a stall	a small place where people sell things
handicraft	something made by hand, often using traditional methods
a parade	a group of people walking through a place as part of an event
an opportunity	a good chance to do something
definitely	without doubt; certainly

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Match the verbs with their definitions

1. want
2. tell
3. visit
4. have
5. hear
6. decide
7. spend
8. leave
9. arrive
10. become
11. come
12. travel
13. talk
14. move
15. walk
16. look
17. choose
18. watch
19. wear
20. show

A. to go from one place to another
B. to decide which thing you want
C. to get to a place
D. to have clothes on your body
E. to go away from a place
F. to give someone information
G. to wish to have or do something
H. to use time doing something
I. to go to a place for a short time
J. to start to be something
K. to go to a place
L. to speak to someone
M. to notice or understand something by listening
N. to change position or place
O. to go somewhere on foot
P. to use your eyes to see something
Q. to make a choice about what to do
R. to look at something for some time
S. to let someone see something
T. to own, hold, or experience something

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Answer key:
1-G, 2-F, 3-I, 4-T, 5-M, 6-Q, 7-H,
8-E, 9-C, 10-J, 11-K, 12-A, 13-L, 14-N,
15-O, 16-P, 17-B, 18-R, 19-D, 20-S

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Match the words / phrases with their definitions

1. an experience
2. to be crowded
3. a lively atmosphere
4. a performance
5. traditional clothes
6. martial arts
7. a performer
8. skill
9. to explore
10. to enjoy
11. a stall
12. handicraft
13. a parade
14. an opportunity
15. definitely

A. a small place where people sell things
B. the ability to do something well
C. a good chance to do something
D. something made by hand, often using traditional methods
E. without doubt; certainly
F. a person who acts, dances, sings, or does something for an audience
G. to have many people in one place
H. clothes that people wear as part of their culture
I. a group of people walking through a place as part of an event
J. to like something and have a good time
K. an activity where people show something to an audience
L. sports or skills for fighting and protecting yourself
M. something that happens to you and that you remember
N. a place or situation that is full of energy and activity
O. to travel around a place and learn about it

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Answer key:
1-M, 2-G, 3-N, 4-K, 5-H, 6-L,
7-F, 8-B, 9-O, 10-J, 11-A, 12-D,
13-I, 14-C, 15-E
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Multiple choice — understanding the text

1. Why did Fatima and her family leave their house early?
   • A. They wanted to visit a village before the festival.
   • B. They had a long journey to Solok.
   • C. They wanted to watch the first dance.
   • D. They wanted to arrive before the festival became too crowded.
2. What made the festival area feel lively?
   • A. People were dancing everywhere.
   • B. The visitors were preparing for a parade.
   • C. Music, conversations and groups of visitors filled the area.
   • D. There were many shops and restaurants.
3. Why did Fatima find the martial arts performance particularly interesting?
   • A. It was the main event of the festival.
   • B. She had never seen this type of performance at a local festival.
   • C. The performers were from her village.
   • D. She had practised martial arts herself.
4. What did Fatima learn from speaking to the villagers?
   • A. More about the five lakes.
   • B. How to make traditional clothes.
   • C. How to organise the festival.
   • D. More about their traditions and everyday lives.
5. What did the objects carried by the groups in the parade represent?
   • A. Their performances.
   • B. Their families.
   • C. Their villages.
   • D. Their traditional clothes.
6. Why did Fatima’s family stop at the small stalls?
   • A. They wanted to buy local products.
   • B. They needed something to eat.
   • C. They wanted to meet the performers.
   • D. They wanted to find the festival entrance.
7. What did Fatima buy during the visit?
   • A. Some traditional clothes.
   • B. A small handmade souvenir.
   • C. A musical instrument.
   • D. A book about Solok.
8. What was special about the groups in the cultural parade?
   • A. They all came from the same village.
   • B. They all performed martial arts.
   • C. They all carried the same objects.
   • D. Each group had its own style.
9. Why did Fatima like the cultural parade?
   • A. It showed that local people valued their traditions.
   • B. It was the longest event of the day.
   • C. It included her favourite type of music.
   • D. It gave her a chance to buy more souvenirs.
10. How did Fatima feel after the festival?

• A. She was disappointed but interested.
• B. She was tired but happy.
• C. She was surprised and worried.
• D. She was bored but relaxed.

11. What did the festival give Fatima and her family the opportunity to do?

• A. Learn more about Minangkabau culture and meet local people.
• B. Visit every village around the five lakes.
• C. Watch performances from all parts of Indonesia.
• D. Spend several days travelling around West Sumatra.

12. Why did Fatima recommend the festival to Zayna?

• A. Zayna had already visited Solok.
• B. Zayna was interested in buying handicrafts.
• C. Fatima thought Zayna would enjoy the experience.
• D. Fatima wanted Zayna to meet her family.

________________________

Answer key:
1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-D, 5-C, 6-A,
7-B, 8-D, 9-A, 10-B, 11-A, 12-C

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True or false — think carefully

1. Fatima visited the festival alone.
2. The festival attracted people from outside the immediate area.
3. Fatima’s family watched several activities before deciding what to see.
4. The dancers performed in modern clothes.
5. The martial arts performers demonstrated speed and ability.
6. Fatima had visited a similar local festival before.
7. The family bought several expensive souvenirs.
8. Fatima spoke with local people about their way of life.
9. The different parade groups all looked exactly the same.
10. Fatima thought the festival was a good way to learn about local culture.
11. Fatima and her family stayed at the festival until the main events had finished.
12. Some visitors came from other parts of West Sumatra.
13. The family went directly home after watching the martial arts performance.
14. Fatima saw both a traditional dance and a martial arts performance.
15. The family bought handicrafts from several different stalls.
16. The villagers only talked about the history of the festival.
17. The parade included groups from different villages.
18. Every parade group used the same style of clothing.
19. Fatima felt that the busy day had been worthwhile.
20. Fatima told Zayna that she would not recommend the festival.

_________________________

Answer key:
1-False, 2-True, 3-False, 4-False, 5-True, 6-False, 7-False, 8-True, 9-False, 10-True, 11-True, 12-True, 13-False, 14-True, 15-False, 16-False, 17-True, 18-False, 19-True, 20-False

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Find evidence in the text

1. The festival was already very busy when Fatima arrived.
   
   EVIDENCE IN TEXT:
   “the area was already full of people”
   
2. People came from places outside the local area.
3. The performers were highly skilled.
4. Fatima was interested in the performance because it was new to her.
5. The family saw more than just the festival itself.
6. Local people were willing to talk about their lives.
7. The villages represented themselves in different ways.
8. Fatima’s family stayed for a long time.
9. The day was tiring but positive.
10. Fatima believed Zayna would probably like the festival.
11. The festival included activities connected with Minangkabau culture.
12. The family bought something to remember the visit.
13. The parade showed that local traditions were important to the people.
14. The family did not leave immediately after the main festival activities.

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Correct answers:

1. The festival was already very busy when Fatima arrived. – “the area was already full of people”
2. People came from places outside the local area. – “some visitors had travelled from other parts of West Sumatra”
3. The performers were highly skilled. – “showed a lot of skill and concentration”
4. Fatima was interested in the performance because it was new to her. – “I had never seen this kind of performance at a local festival before”
5. The family saw more than just the festival itself. – “we explored the area around the five lakes”
6. Local people were willing to talk about their lives. – “who told us about their traditions and everyday lives”
7. The villages represented themselves in different ways. – “Each group had its own style”
8. Fatima’s family stayed for a long time. – “We stayed until the main events had finished”
9. The day was tiring but positive. – “We were tired after such a busy day, but we were happy with our experience”
10. Fatima believed Zayna would probably like the festival. – “I thought you would have enjoyed it too”
11. The festival included activities connected with Minangkabau culture. – “a traditional Minangkabau dance”
12. The family bought something to remember the visit. – “I bought a small handmade item as a souvenir”
13. The parade showed that local traditions were important to the people. – “it showed how much local people valued their traditions”
14. The family did not leave immediately after the main festival activities. – “We stayed until the main events had finished and then returned to Solok”

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Why? — Give a reason – answer in one or two sentences.

1. Why did Fatima’s family decide to spend a day at the festival?
2. Why did the family arrive early?
3. Why was the festival area already busy when they arrived?
4. Why did Fatima find the martial arts performance interesting?
5. Why did Fatima buy a handmade item?
6. Why did Fatima like the cultural parade?
7. Why were Fatima and her family tired at the end of the day?
8. Why did Fatima recommend the festival to Zayna?
9. Why did the family explore the area around the five lakes?
10. Why did Fatima speak to some villagers?
11. Why did the family stop at several small stalls?
12. Why did Fatima think the festival was a valuable experience?

________________________

Answers:

1. Why did Fatima’s family decide to spend a day at the festival? – They had heard that it was an important cultural event in the area.
2. Why did the family arrive early? – They wanted to arrive before the festival became too crowded.
3. Why was the festival area already busy when they arrived? – Families had come from nearby villages, and some visitors had travelled from other parts of West Sumatra.
4. Why did Fatima find the martial arts performance interesting? – She had never seen this kind of performance at a local festival before.
5. Why did Fatima buy a handmade item? – She wanted a small souvenir of the visit.
6. Why did Fatima like the cultural parade? – It showed how much local people valued their traditions.
7. Why were Fatima and her family tired at the end of the day? – They had spent the day taking part in many activities and exploring the area.
8. Why did Fatima recommend the festival to Zayna? – She thought Zayna would have enjoyed the experience too.
9. Why did the family explore the area around the five lakes? – They wanted to enjoy the beautiful views of the lakes, hills and villages.
10. Why did Fatima speak to some villagers? – She wanted to learn about their traditions and everyday lives.
11. Why did the family stop at several small stalls? – Local people were selling handicrafts, clothes and other products there.
12. Why did Fatima think the festival was a valuable experience? – It gave her the opportunity to learn more about Minangkabau culture and meet local people.

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What does the word or phrase between – _____ – refer to?

“…we decided to spend a day -there-.”

“…before -the festival- became too crowded.”

“After -that-, we watched a martial arts performance.”

“I found -it- particularly interesting…”

“We also stopped at several small stalls -where- local people sold handicrafts…”

“…villagers, -who- told us about their traditions and everyday lives.”

“Each group had its own style, and -some- carried objects that represented their village.”

“I liked -this part of the festival- because it showed how much local people valued their traditions.”

“-There- was a lively atmosphere, with music playing…”

“Families had come from nearby villages, and -some visitors- had travelled from other parts of West Sumatra.”

“…before choosing -what we wanted to see-.”

“The performers moved very quickly and showed a lot of skill and concentration. I found -it- particularly interesting…”

“We also stopped at several small stalls -where- local people sold handicrafts, clothes and other products.”

“-While we were looking around-, we spoke to some villagers…”

“…some carried objects that represented -their village-.”

“We were tired after such a busy day, but we were happy with -our experience-.”

________________________

Correct answers:

“…we decided to spend a day -there-.” – the Festival 5 Danau in Solok

“…before -the festival- became too crowded.” – the Festival 5 Danau

“After -that-, we watched a martial arts performance.” – the traditional Minangkabau dance

“I found -it- particularly interesting…” – the martial arts performance

“We also stopped at several small stalls -where- local people sold handicrafts…” – the small stalls

“…villagers, -who- told us about their traditions and everyday lives.” – the villagers

“Each group had its own style, and -some- carried objects that represented their village.” – some of the groups

“I liked -this part of the festival- because it showed how much local people valued their traditions.” – the cultural parade

“-There- was a lively atmosphere, with music playing…” – the festival area

“Families had come from nearby villages, and -some visitors- had travelled from other parts of West Sumatra.” – some of the visitors

“…before choosing -what we wanted to see-.” – the activities they wanted to see

“The performers moved very quickly and showed a lot of skill and concentration. I found -it- particularly interesting…” – the martial arts performance

“We also stopped at several small stalls -where- local people sold handicrafts, clothes and other products.” – the small stalls

“-While we were looking around-, we spoke to some villagers…” – while we were looking around the stalls

“…some carried objects that represented -their village-.” – the village of each group

“We were tired after such a busy day, but we were happy with -our experience-.” – their visit to the festival

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What happened first?

(A) Fatima spoke with some villagers.
(B) The family watched a martial arts performance.
(C) The family returned to Solok.
(D) Fatima bought a handmade souvenir.
(E) The family watched a traditional dance.
(F) The family arrived at the festival.
(G) The family watched a cultural parade.
(H) The family explored the area around the five lakes.
_________________________

Correct order

1. (F) The family arrived at the festival.
2. (E) The family watched a traditional dance.
3. (B) The family watched a martial arts performance.
4. (H) The family explored the area around the five lakes.
5. (D) Fatima bought a handmade souvenir.
6. (A) Fatima spoke with some villagers.
7. (G) The family watched a cultural parade.
8. (C) The family returned to Solok.

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Give correct form of verb in past simple:

Fatima ______ (go) to the Festival 5 Danau in Solok with her family last year. They ______ (leave) home early and ______ (come) to the festival before it became too crowded. When they ______ (get) there, many families and visitors had already ______ (come) from nearby villages and other parts of West Sumatra.

They ______ (see) a traditional Minangkabau dance, where the performers ______ (wear) colourful clothes and ______ (move) to the music. They also ______ (see) a martial arts performance and ______ (find) it very interesting because Fatima had never ______ (see) one before.

Later, they ______ (go) around the five lakes and ______ (see) beautiful views of the lakes, hills and villages. They ______ (meet) local people, ______ (speak) to villagers and ______ (buy) a small handmade souvenir. In the afternoon, they ______ (watch) a cultural parade. Different groups ______ (wear) traditional clothes and ______ (bring) objects from their villages.

They ______ (stay) until the main events had ______ (finish), then ______ (go) back to Solok. Fatima ______ (feel) tired but ______ (think) the festival was a wonderful cultural experience.

—————————————

Correct version:

Fatima went to the Festival 5 Danau in Solok with her family last year. They left home early and came to the festival before it became too crowded. When they got there, many families and visitors had already come from nearby villages and other parts of West Sumatra.

They saw a traditional Minangkabau dance, where the performers wore colourful clothes and moved to the music. They also saw a martial arts performance and found it very interesting because Fatima had never seen one before.

Later, they went around the five lakes and saw beautiful views of the lakes, hills and villages. They met local people, spoke to villagers and bought a small handmade souvenir. In the afternoon, they watched a cultural parade. Different groups wore traditional clothes and brought objects from their villages.

They stayed until the main events had finished, then went back to Solok. Fatima felt tired but thought the festival was a wonderful cultural experience.

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Matching exercise, question and answer:

– Interview with Fatima

Questions

1. Where did you spend the day last year?
2. Why did you start your journey early?
3. Who had already arrived when you got there?
4. What kind of dance did you watch?
5. How did the martial arts performers impress you?
6. What did you discover around the five lakes?
7. What did you purchase [buy] at one of the stalls?
8. Who did you talk to while you were looking around?
9. What did the villagers explain to you?
10. What did the groups show during the afternoon parade?
11. How did you feel when you returned to Solok?
12. Why would you recommend the festival to Zayna?

Answers

A. They showed their village traditions through their clothes and the objects they carried.
B. I bought a small handmade item as a souvenir.
C. I felt tired, but I was happy with the experience.
D. I found it very interesting because they moved very quickly and showed great skill and concentration.
E. Families from nearby villages and visitors from other parts of West Sumatra had already come.
F. I spent the day at the Festival 5 Danau in Solok with my family.
G. I met some villagers while we were looking around the stalls.
H. I saw a traditional Minangkabau dance.
I. They told us about their traditions and everyday lives.
J. I saw beautiful views of the lakes, green hills and nearby villages.
K. We left early because we wanted to arrive before the festival became too crowded.
L. I would definitely suggest it because visitors can learn about Minangkabau culture and meet local people.

_______________________

Answer key:
1-F, 2-K, 3-E, 4-H, 5-D, 6-J, 7-B,
8-G, 9-I, 10-A, 11-C, 12-L

_______________________

Correct version:

Interview with Fatima

Interviewer: Where did you spend the day last year?
Fatima: I went to the Festival 5 Danau in Solok with my family, and we stayed there for the day.

Interviewer: Why did you start your journey early?
Fatima: We left our house early because we wanted to arrive before the festival became too crowded.

Interviewer: Who had already arrived when you got there?
Fatima: Many families from nearby villages and visitors from other parts of West Sumatra had already come.

Interviewer: What kind of dance did you watch?
Fatima: We saw a traditional Minangkabau dance with colourful clothes and music.

Interviewer: How did the martial arts performers impress you?
Fatima: I found their performance very interesting because they moved quickly and showed great skill and concentration.

Interviewer: What did you discover around the five lakes?
Fatima: We saw beautiful views of the lakes, green hills and nearby villages.

Interviewer: What did you purchase at one of the stalls?
Fatima: I bought a small handmade item as a souvenir.

Interviewer: Who did you talk to while you were looking around?
Fatima: We met some villagers while we were looking at the stalls.

Interviewer: What did the villagers explain to you?
Fatima: They told us about their traditions and everyday lives.

Interviewer: What did the groups show during the afternoon parade?
Fatima: They showed their village traditions through their clothes and the objects they carried.

Interviewer: How did you feel when you returned to Solok?
Fatima: I felt tired, but I was very happy with our experience.

Interviewer: Why would you recommend the festival to Zayna?
Fatima: I would definitely suggest it because visitors can learn about Minangkabau culture and meet people from the surrounding area.

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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……………

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