• a culture vulture tourist on tour

Subject: my amazing trip to the Mekong Delta

Hi Indra,

I hope you are doing well! I want to tell you about my trip to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. I hired a private guide with a car for the day. It was a great experience, and I enjoyed every minute of it! I saw the real daily life of the local people from early morning until late evening.

My day started very early at 5:00 a.m. My guide and driver picked me up at my hotel in the car. The car was very comfortable. We drove to the riverbank and took a small wooden boat to the floating market. The sun came up, and the river was beautiful. I saw many boats full of fruits and vegetables. Vendors sold fresh pineapples, bananas, and watermelons from their boats. I bought a hot bowl of noodle soup and a hot coffee on the boat. It was delicious and very exciting to eat on the water!

After the market, my driver took me to small villages. I walked around and rode a bicycle on quiet paths. I saw green rice fields and big fruit trees. I stopped at small family houses. The local people showed me how they made coconut candy by hand and popped rice over open fires. They were very friendly to me and gave me sweet mangoes to eat.

In the evening, the driver took me to a small family house near the river. I stayed there for dinner with the family. We cooked a fish together over a wood fire. We ate fresh food, talked, and listened to the quiet river.

If you visit the Mekong Delta, I recommend a private guide with a car. You can see the real market, ride a bike in quiet villages, try local food, and meet friendly people. It was a truly amazing day!

I hope to see you soon!

Best,

Wolf

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Vocabulary:

Word / Expression	Easy A1 Definition
amazing	very good or very special; it makes you feel happy or surprised
an experience	something that happens to you and that you remember
to enjoy	to like something and have a good time
to pick somebody up	to go somewhere and take somebody with you in a car
a riverbank	the land next to a river
a vendor	a person who sells things
a bowl of soup	soup in a round, deep dish
delicious	very good to eat; it tastes very nice
to be exciting	to make you feel happy and interested because something special is happening
a quiet path	a small road or way with very little noise and traffic
to pop rice	to heat rice until it becomes light and crispy
to recommend	to tell someone that something is good and that they should try it
truly amazing	really very special and wonderful

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Match the words with their definitions

Words

1. amazing
2. an experience
3. to enjoy
4. to pick somebody up
5. a riverbank
6. a vendor
7. a bowl of soup
8. delicious
9. to be exciting
10. a quiet path
11. to pop rice
12. to recommend
13. truly amazing

Definitions

A. To heat rice until it becomes light and crispy.

B. Very good to eat; it tastes very nice.

C. To tell someone that something is good and that they should try it.

D. A small road or way with very little noise and traffic.

E. Something that happens to you and that you remember.

F. Soup in a round, deep dish.

G. To go somewhere and take somebody with you in a car.

H. A person who sells things.

I. Really very special and wonderful.

J. The land next to a river.

K. To like something and have a good time.

L. To make you feel happy and interested because something special is happening.

M. Very good or very special; it makes you feel happy or surprised.

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Answer key:
1M, 2E, 3K, 4G, 5J, 6H, 7F, 8B, 9L, 10D, 11A, 12C, 13I

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Match the definitions with the words

Words

1. a vendor
2. truly amazing
3. to pick somebody up
4. delicious
5. a quiet path
6. to recommend
7. amazing
8. to pop rice
9. a bowl of soup
10. to enjoy
11. a riverbank
12. to be exciting
13. an experience

Definitions

A. Something that happens to you and that you remember.

B. To heat rice until it becomes light and crispy.

C. The land next to a river.

D. Very good or very special; it makes you feel happy or surprised.

E. To like something and have a good time.

F. A person who sells things.

G. To make you feel happy and interested because something special is happening.

H. Really very special and wonderful.

I. Soup in a round, deep dish.

J. To tell someone that something is good and that they should try it.

K. To go somewhere and take somebody with you in a car.

L. Very good to eat; it tastes very nice.

M. A small road or way with very little noise and traffic.

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Answer key:
1F, 2H, 3K, 4L, 5M, 6J, 7D, 8B, 9I, 10E, 11C, 12G, 13A

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True or false

1. The writer visited the Mekong Delta in Thailand.
2. The writer hired a private guide and a car for the day.
3. The guide picked the writer up at 6:00 a.m.
4. The writer travelled to the floating market in a small wooden boat.
5. The market was full of boats selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
6. The writer bought a cold drink and a sandwich at the market.
7. The writer enjoyed eating noodle soup and drinking hot coffee on the boat.
8. The writer visited some small villages after the market.
9. The writer travelled through the villages by bus.
10. The writer saw green rice fields and large fruit trees.
11. The local people showed the writer how to make coconut candy by hand.
12. The writer received some sweet mangoes from the local people.
13. The local people made rice in large modern machines.
14. The writer had dinner with a family in their house near the river.
15. The family cooked chicken over an open fire.
16. The writer and the family ate fresh food and talked together.
17. The writer spent the evening in a busy city restaurant.
18. The writer recommends hiring a private guide with a car.
19. The writer thinks that the Mekong Delta is only interesting because of its floating market.
20. The writer had a wonderful day and enjoyed the whole experience.

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Answer key:

1 F, 2 T, 3 F, 4 T, 5 T, 6 F, 7 T, 8 T, 9 F, 10 T, 11
T, 12 T, 13 F, 14 T, 15 F, 16 T, 17 F, 18 T, 19 F, 20 T

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Multiple choice

1. Where did the writer spend the day?

• A. In northern Thailand
• B. In the Mekong Delta
• C. In southern Laos

2. Who travelled with the writer?

• A. A group of tourists
• B. A local family
• C. A private guide and driver

3. When did the guide collect the writer?

• A. At five o’clock in the morning
• B. At seven o’clock
• C. At nine o’clock

4. How did the writer reach the floating market?

• A. By bus
• B. By bicycle
• C. By wooden boat

5. Which products could people buy from the boats?

• A. Fruit and vegetables
• B. Clothes and shoes
• C. Books and toys

6. What did the writer drink at the market?

• A. Cold water
• B. Hot coffee
• C. Fresh orange juice

7. Why was the market visit exciting?

• A. The writer met old friends.
• B. The writer bought many gifts.
• C. The writer saw the busy market on the river.

8. Where did the writer go after the market?

• A. To a large shopping centre
• B. To small villages
• C. To another hotel

9. How did the writer explore the quiet village paths?

• A. By bicycle
• B. By motorbike
• C. By bus

10. What could the writer see in the countryside?

• A. Snowy mountains
• B. Tall office buildings
• C. Rice fields and fruit trees

11. Who showed the writer how to make coconut candy?

• A. Hotel workers
• B. Local people
• C. The tour guide

12. How did the local people make coconut candy?

• A. With big machines
• B. In a large shop
• C. By hand

13. What did the people pop over open fires?

• A. Corn
• B. Potatoes
• C. Rice

14. What did the local people give the writer?

• A. Sweet mangoes
• B. Fresh fish
• C. Cold drinks

15. Where did the writer have dinner?

• A. At the hotel
• B. At a family house
• C. At a city restaurant

16. Who helped cook the fish?

• A. The writer and the family
• B. The driver alone
• C. The guide alone

17. How did they cook the fish?

• A. In an oven
• B. In a large pot
• C. Over a wood fire

18. What did they do during dinner?

• A. Watched television
• B. Talked and listened to the river
• C. Played loud music

19. Which type of trip does the writer recommend?

• A. A trip with a private guide and car
• B. A trip by public bus
• C. A trip without a guide

20. How does the writer describe the day?

• A. Quite boring
• B. Very difficult
• C. Truly amazing

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Answer key:
1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 C, 5 A, 6 B, 7 C, 8 B,
9 A, 10 C, 11 B, 12 C, 13 C, 14 A, 15 B,
16 A, 17 C, 18 B, 19 A, 20 C
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Cause and effect – match the causes with the correct effects

Causes

1. The writer hired a private guide and a car.
2. The writer started the day at 5:00 a.m.
3. The writer travelled to the market by wooden boat.
4. The sun came up over the river.
5. Many boats carried fresh fruit and vegetables.
6. The writer bought noodle soup and hot coffee.
7. The writer visited small villages.
8. The writer rode a bicycle on quiet paths.
9. The writer stopped at family houses.
10. The local people made coconut candy by hand.
11. The people popped rice over open fires.
12. The local people gave the writer sweet mangoes.
13. The writer stayed for dinner with a family.
14. The writer and the family cooked fish over a wood fire.

Effects

A. The writer could see the beautiful morning on the water.

B. The writer had a chance to meet local people.

C. The writer enjoyed a hot meal and drink on the river.

D. The writer could travel comfortably during the day.

E. The writer saw how people prepared a local product.

F. The writer could see the countryside at an early hour.

G. The writer had fresh fruit to eat.

H. The writer could explore the villages on two wheels.

I. The writer saw a local way of making food.

J. The writer spent the evening with local people.

K. The writer could buy fruit and vegetables on the river.

L. The writer enjoyed a meal prepared together with the family.

M. The writer saw the river in the morning light.

N. The writer could learn about daily life in the villages.

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Answer key:
1D, 2F, 3A, 4M, 5K, 6C, 7N, 8H, 9B, 10E, 11I, 12G, 13J, 14L

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Match the sentence halves

Sentence beginnings

1. The writer hired a private guide
2. The day started very early
3. The guide picked the writer up
4. The writer took a wooden boat
5. Many boats at the market
6. The writer bought noodle soup
7. After visiting the market,
8. The writer rode a bicycle
9. The local people showed the writer
10. The people popped rice
11. The local people gave the writer
12. In the evening, the writer went
13. The writer and the family cooked
14. The writer recommends hiring a private guide

Sentence endings

A. on quiet paths through the villages.

B. with a car to visit the Mekong Delta.

C. at five o’clock in the morning.

D. carried fresh fruit and vegetables.

E. to a family house near the river.

F. how to make coconut candy by hand.

G. sweet mangoes to eat.

H. and a car for the day.

I. over open fires.

J. fish together over a wood fire.

K. to the floating market.

L. at the hotel.

M. and hot coffee on the boat.

N. the driver took the writer to small villages.

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Answer key:
1H, 2C, 3L, 4K, 5D, 6M, 7N, 8A, 9F, 10I, 11G, 12E, 13J, 14B

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Odd one out – find the word that does NOT belong in each group

1. pineapple – banana – carrot – watermelon
2. riverbank – boat – mountain – river
3. hungry – delicious – tasty – wonderful
4. driver – passenger – vendor – guide
5. bicycle – bedroom – wooden boat – car
6. coconut candy – noodle soup – mango – coffee
7. village – shopping centre – countryside – rice field
8. expensive – friendly – kind – helpful
9. vegetable – morning – evening – afternoon
10. cook – listen – sell – buy

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Answer key:
1 carrot, 2 mountain, 3 hungry, 4 passenger, 5 bedroom,
6 coffee, 7 shopping centre, 8 expensive, 9 vegetable, 10 listen

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Interview with Wolf – match questions with answers

Questions

1. Why did you hire a private guide with a car?
2. When did your guide pick you up at the hotel?
3. Which things caught your attention during the boat trip?
4. How did the vendors offer their fruit and vegetables?
5. Which food and drink did you choose at the market?
6. What happened after the visit to the market?
7. What new skills did the villagers teach you?
8. How did the local people treat you?
9. What could you discover during the village visits?
10. Where did you go in the evening?
11. How did you and the family make the evening meal?
12. Why do you remember the evening so well?
13. What advice would you give someone visiting the Mekong Delta?

Answers

A. They welcomed me warmly and gave me sweet mangoes to eat.

B. My driver took me to small villages, where I walked along quiet paths and rode a bicycle.

C. I recommend a private guide with a car. Visitors can enjoy the floating market, explore quiet villages, ride a bicycle and meet friendly local people.

D. I bought a hot bowl of noodle soup and a hot coffee. Both tasted delicious.

E. I noticed many boats full of fresh fruit and vegetables. The sun rose over the beautiful river.

F. I spent the evening at a small family house near the river, where I ate dinner with the family.

G. I wanted to discover the daily life of local people and visit small villages.

H. We prepared a fish together over a wood fire.

I. They displayed fresh pineapples, bananas and watermelons on their boats.

J. I enjoyed the green rice fields, big fruit trees and small family houses. I also learned about local life.

K. He arrived at five o’clock in the morning because we wanted an early start.

L. They showed me how to make coconut candy by hand and how to pop rice over open fires.

M. The fresh food, our talks and the quiet river made the evening very special.

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Answer key:
1 G, 2 K, 3 E, 4 I, 5 D, 6 B, 7 L, 8 A, 9 J, 10 F, 11 H, 12 M, 13 C

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Correct version:

1. Why did you hire a private guide with a car?
I wanted to discover the daily life of local people and visit small villages.

2. When did your guide pick you up at the hotel?
He arrived at five o’clock in the morning because we wanted an early start.

3. Which things caught your attention during the boat trip?
I noticed many boats full of fresh fruit and vegetables. The sun rose over the beautiful river.

4. How did the vendors offer their fruit and vegetables?
They displayed fresh pineapples, bananas and watermelons on their boats.

5. Which food and drink did you choose at the market?
I bought a hot bowl of noodle soup and a hot coffee. Both tasted delicious.

6. What happened after the visit to the market?
My driver took me to small villages, where I walked along quiet paths and rode a bicycle.

7. What new skills did the villagers teach you?
They showed me how to make coconut candy by hand and how to pop rice over open fires.

8. How did the local people treat you?
They welcomed me warmly and gave me sweet mangoes to eat.

9. What could you discover during the village visits?
I enjoyed the green rice fields, big fruit trees and small family houses. I also learned about local life.

10. Where did you go in the evening?
I spent the evening at a small family house near the river, where I ate dinner with the family.

11. How did you and the family make the evening meal?
We prepared a fish together over a wood fire.

12. Why do you remember the evening so well?
The fresh food, our talks and the quiet river made the evening very special.

13. What advice would you give someone visiting the Mekong Delta?
I recommend a private guide with a car. Visitors can enjoy the floating market, explore quiet villages, ride a bicycle and meet friendly local people.

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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………………

SMFrockZ@gmx.a