A guest shows up at the front desk of a *****resort in Siem Reap. He has heard stories about Pchum Ben. He wants to have some more information on that.
Pchum Ben is a major religious festival in Cambodia that honors ancestors who have passed away. It usually takes place in September or October and lasts for 15 days. During this time, Cambodian people visit pagodas (Buddhist temples) to offer food, especially rice, to monks and the spirits of their ancestors. They believe that these offerings help the spirits of their loved ones who are in the afterlife.
The most important day is the 15th day, called „Pchum Ben.“ On this day, people gather at pagodas to perform special prayers and give food to the monks. This is done to show respect for their ancestors and to help them find peace in the spirit world. According to Cambodian belief, the spirits of the dead can visit the living during this time, and the offerings of food help nourish them.
Pchum Ben is a time for families to come together, show gratitude, and remember those who have passed away. It’s one of the most important holidays in Cambodia, deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions and the country’s culture.
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Vocabulary:
- to be revised – to be checked and changed if needed.
- front desk – the main desk in a hotel or office where people ask questions.
- a major festival – a very big holiday or celebration.
- to honor – to show respect.
- an ancestor – a person in your family who lived long ago.
- to pass away – to die.
- to take place – to happen.
- to last for 15 days – to continue for 15 days.
- to offer food – to give food.
- especially – more than usual, very important.
- a monk – a man who lives in a temple and follows Buddhist rules.
- the spirits (of ancestors) – the “souls” of family members who died.
- to gather – to come together.
- to perform prayers – to say prayers.
- to show respect – to be polite and honor someone.
- to find peace – to feel calm and happy.
- the spirit world – the place where dead people’s souls go.
- according to belief – as people believe.
- an offering of food – food given to gods, monks, or spirits.
- to nourish – to give food to make someone strong.
- to show gratitude – to say “thank you” in action or words.
- to be deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions – to come strongly from old Buddhist ways.
- a country – a land with people and a government, like Cambodia.
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Multiple choice, one answer correct:
- What does „to pass away“ mean?
a) to eat food
b) to die
c) to walk past someone - What is an ancestor?
a) a child in your family
b) a person in your family who lived long ago
c) a teacher at school - What is a front desk in a hotel?
a) the main desk where people ask questions
b) the kitchen
c) the room where people sleep - What does “to gather” mean?
a) to run fast
b) to come together
c) to eat rice - What is a monk?
a) a man who lives in a temple and follows Buddhist rules
b) a student in school
c) a person who sells food in the market - What does “a major festival” mean?
a) a sports game
b) a very big holiday or celebration
c) a small school party - What does „to last for 15 days“ mean?
a) to continue for 15 days
b) to start in the morning
c) to happen in one day - What does „to honor“ mean?
a) to forget someone
b) to show respect
c) to laugh at someone - What are the spirits of ancestors?
a) young children in the family
b) the “souls” of family members who died
c) people in the market - What does „to offer food“ mean?
a) to give food
b) to throw away food
c) to buy food in a shop - What does „to perform prayers“ mean?
a) to sing a song
b) to play a game
c) to say prayers - What does „to be revised“ mean?
a) to be checked and changed if needed
b) to be thrown away
c) to be finished forever - What does “especially” mean?
a) not important
b) very important, more than usual
c) sometimes - What does „to show respect“ mean?
a) to be polite and honor someone
b) to talk loudly
c) to ignore someone - What does „according to belief“ mean?
a) as people travel
b) as people believe
c) as people eat - What does “to find peace” mean?
a) to feel calm and happy
b) to be angry
c) to be tired - What is the spirit world?
a) the place where dead people’s souls go
b) the place where people sell things
c) the world of music - What does “to nourish” mean?
a) to clean a house
b) to give food to make someone strong
c) to take food away
————-end of audio——— - What does “to show gratitude” mean?
a) to say “thank you” in action or words
b) to hide something
c) to get angry - What does “an offering of food” mean?
a) food sold in a shop
b) food cooked at home
c) food given to gods, monks, or spirits - What does “to take place” mean?
a) to happen
b) to eat together
c) to find something - What does “to be deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions” mean?
a) to come strongly from old Buddhist ways
b) to be part of modern fashion
c) to be only for children - What is a country?
a) a small village
b) a land with people and a government, like Cambodia
c) a temple
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Answers:
1-b, 2-b, 3-a, 4-b, 5-a, 6-b, 7-a, 8-b, 9-b, 10-a, 11-c, 12-a, 13-b, 14-a, 15-b, 16-a, 17-a, 18-b, 19-a, 20-c, 21-a, 22-a, 23-b
_____________________
- What does „to pass away“ mean? – b: to die
- What is an ancestor? – b: a person in your family who lived long ago
- What is a front desk in a hotel? – a: the main desk where people ask questions
- What does “to gather” mean? – b: to come together
- What is a monk? – a: a man who lives in a temple and follows Buddhist rules
- What does “a major festival” mean? – b: a very big holiday or celebration
- What does „to last for 15 days“ mean? – a: to continue for 15 days
- What does „to honor“ mean? – b: to show respect
- What are the spirits of ancestors? – b: the “souls” of family members who died
- What does „to offer food“ mean? – a: to give food
- What does „to perform prayers“ mean? – c: to say prayers
- What does „to be revised“ mean? – a: to be checked and changed if needed
- What does “especially” mean? – b: very important, more than usual
- What does „to show respect“ mean? – a: to be polite and honor someone
- What does „according to belief“ mean? – b: as people believe
- What does “to find peace” mean? – a: to feel calm and happy
- What is the spirit world? – a: the place where dead people’s souls go
- What does “to nourish” mean? – b: to give food to make someone strong
- What does “to show gratitude” mean? – a: to say “thank you” in action or words
- What does “an offering of food” mean? – c: food given to gods, monks, or spirits
- What does “to take place” mean? – a: to happen
- What does “to be deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions” mean? – a: to come strongly from old Buddhist ways
- What is a country? – b: a land with people and a government, like Cambodia
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Gap fill exercise:
- Pchum Ben is a major religious festival in Cambodia that honors __________.
a) animals
b) ancestors
c) friends - The festival usually __________ in September or October.
a) starts
b) takes place
c) ends - Pchum Ben lasts for __________ days.
a) 10
b) 15
c) 20 - During the festival, people visit __________ to offer food.
a) pagodas
b) schools
c) markets - The most important day is called __________.
a) Pchum Ben
b) Wat Phnom
c) Khmer New Year - On this day, people perform special __________.
a) dances
b) prayers
c) games - They offer food to monks and the __________ of their ancestors.
a) spirits
b) children
c) friends - The offerings are believed to help the spirits __________.
a) travel
b) find peace
c) work - Pchum Ben is a time for families to __________.
a) gather
b) shop
c) travel - People show __________ to their ancestors during this festival.
a) respect
b) anger
c) fear - The festival is deeply rooted in Buddhist __________.
a) traditions
b) fashion
c) food - According to Cambodian __________, spirits can visit the living at this time.
a) school
b) government
c) belief - Offerings of food are meant to __________ the spirits.
a) nourish
b) scare
c) confuse - Families come together to remember those who have __________.
a) moved
b) passed away
c) traveled - The festival teaches people to show __________.
a) curiosity
b) laziness
c) gratitude - Pchum Ben helps maintain the connection between the living and the __________.
a) animals
b) mountains
c) spirit world
Answers:
1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-a, 5-a, 6-b,
7-a, 8-b, 9-a, 10-a, 11-a,
12-c, 13-a, 14-b, 15-c, 16-c
___________________
Correct version:
- Pchum Ben is a major religious festival in Cambodia that honors ancestors.
- The festival usually takes place in September or October.
- Pchum Ben lasts for 15 days.
- During the festival, people visit pagodas to offer food.
- The most important day is called Pchum Ben.
- On this day, people perform special prayers.
- They offer food to monks and the spirits of their ancestors.
- The offerings are believed to help the spirits find peace.
- Pchum Ben is a time for families to gather.
- People show respect to their ancestors during this festival.
- The festival is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions.
- According to Cambodian belief, spirits can visit the living at this time.
- Offerings of food are meant to nourish the spirits.
- Families come together to remember those who have passed away.
- The festival teaches people to show gratitude.
- Pchum Ben helps maintain the connection between the living and the spirit world.
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Match words with definitions:
Words:
- ancestor
- monk
- front desk
- to pass away
- to honor
- spirit world
- to gather
- to show respect
- to offer food
- to nourish
- gratitude
- to take place
- a major festival
- to perform prayers
- to be revised
Definitions :
a) the main desk in a hotel or office where people ask questions
b) to come together
c) food given to make someone strong
d) a very big holiday or celebration
e) a person in your family who lived long ago
f) to die
g) to say prayers
h) a man who lives in a temple and follows Buddhist rules
i) to be checked and changed if needed
j) to give food
k) to show respect
l) the place where dead people’s souls go
m) to show respect or admiration for someone
n) to say “thank you” in action or words
o) to happen
Answers:
1-e, 2-h, 3-a, 4-f, 5-m, 6-l,
7-b, 8-k, 9-j, 10-c, 11-n,
12-o, 13-d, 14-g, 15-i
_______________________
Answers:
- ancestor: a person in your family who lived long ago
- monk: a man who lives in a temple and follows Buddhist rules
- front desk: the main desk in a hotel or office where people ask questions
- to pass away: to die
- to honor: to show respect or admiration for someone
- spirit world: the place where dead people’s souls go
- to gather: to come together
- to show respect: to show respect
- to offer food: to give food
- to nourish: food given to make someone strong
- gratitude: to say “thank you” in action or words
- to take place: to happen
- a major festival: a very big holiday or celebration
- to perform prayers: to say prayers
- to be revised: to be checked and changed if needed
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Ten questions based on the text – try to answer, write answers down
1. What is Pchum Ben?
2. How long does the Pchum Ben festival last?
3. When does Pchum Ben usually take place?
4. What do people offer during Pchum Ben?5. Why do Cambodians bring food to pagodas during this festival?
6. What is the most important day of the Pchum Ben festival called?
7. Where do people gather on the 15th day of Pchum Ben?
8. What do people believe the offerings help the spirits do?
9. How does Pchum Ben bring families together?
10. What is the cultural or religious background of the Pchum Ben festival?
_______________________
Possible answers:
- What is Pchum Ben?
Pchum Ben is a festival to honor ancestors. - How long does the Pchum Ben festival last?
The festival lasts 15 days. - When does Pchum Ben usually take place?
Pchum Ben usually takes place in September or October. - What do people offer during Pchum Ben?
People offer food, especially rice. - Why do Cambodians bring food to pagodas during this festival?
They bring food to help the spirits and show respect. - What is the most important day of the Pchum Ben festival called?
The most important day is called Pchum Ben. - Where do people gather on the 15th day of Pchum Ben?
People gather at pagodas. - What do people believe the offerings help the spirits do?
The offerings help the spirits find peace and be nourished. - How does Pchum Ben bring families together?
Pchum Ben brings families together to remember ancestors. - What is the cultural or religious background of the Pchum Ben festival?
The festival is rooted in Buddhism and Cambodian culture.
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Multiple-choice questions :
1. **What is Pchum Ben?**
– a) A religious festival in Cambodia
– b) A celebration of new year
– c) A festival to honor ancestors
– d) A festival for children
2. **How long does Pchum Ben last?**
– a) 7 days
– b) 10 days
– c) 15 days
– d) 20 days
3. **When does Pchum Ben usually take place?**
– a) In September
– b) In October
– c) In December
– d) In August
4. **What do people offer during Pchum Ben?**
– a) Flowers
– b) Food, especially rice
– c) Money
– d) Water
5. **Why do people offer food to the monks?**
– a) To show respect for the monks
– b) To feed the spirits of their ancestors
– c) To celebrate the end of the year
– d) To help their ancestors find peace
6. **What is the most important day of Pchum Ben called?**
– a) New Year’s Day
– b) Buddha Day
– c) Pchum Ben Day
– d) Pagoda Day
7. **Where do people gather on the 15th day of Pchum Ben?**
– a) At the market
– b) At their homes
– c) At pagodas
– d) In the countryside
8. **What do Cambodians believe the offerings help the spirits do?**
– a) To find peace
– b) To become rich
– c) To visit the living
– d) To gain wisdom
9. **How does Pchum Ben bring families together?**
– a) By praying together
– b) By cooking meals for the spirits
– c) By exchanging gifts
– d) By visiting pagodas together
10. **What cultural or religious traditions is Pchum Ben rooted in?**
– a) Christianity
– b) Buddhism
– c) Cambodian culture
– d) Hinduism
________________________
Correct answers:
- What is Pchum Ben? – c) A festival to honor ancestors
- How long does Pchum Ben last? – c) 15 days
- When does Pchum Ben usually take place? – a) In September (it can also be late September to October, but September is correct here)
- What do people offer during Pchum Ben? – b) Food, especially rice
- Why do people offer food to the monks? – b) To feed the spirits of their ancestors (and show respect)
- What is the most important day of Pchum Ben called? – c) Pchum Ben Day
- Where do people gather on the 15th day of Pchum Ben? – c) At pagodas
- What do Cambodians believe the offerings help the spirits do? – a) To find peace
- How does Pchum Ben bring families together? – d) By visiting pagodas together
- What cultural or religious traditions is Pchum Ben rooted in? – b) Buddhism
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Interview with a monk, fill in, words below:
important – usually – join – spirits –
ancestors –
rice – honor – peace –
rooted – called – visit – brings
1. Q: Hello, can you tell me what Pchum Ben is?
A: Yes. Pchum Ben is a festival to __________ ancestors.
2. Q: How long does the festival last?
A: It lasts 15 days.
3. Q: When does Pchum Ben usually take place?
A: It __________ takes place in September or October.
4. Q: What do people bring to the pagoda?
A: People bring food, especially __________.
5. Q: Why do they bring food?
A: They bring food to help the ___________ and show respect.
6. Q: What is the most important day of Pchum Ben _________?
A: It is called Pchum Ben Day.
7. Q: Where do people gather on the most __________ day?
A: People gather at the pagodas.
8. Q: What do the offerings do for the spirits?
A: The offerings help the spirits find __________ and be nourished.
9. Q: How does Pchum Ben bring families together?
A: Families come together to __________ pagodas and remember _________.
10. Q: Is Pchum Ben connected to religion?
A: Yes. It is __________ in Buddhism.
11. Q: Do children also __________ the festival?
A: Yes. Children come with their families.
12. Q: Why is Pchum Ben important for Cambodia?
A: It is important because it honors ancestors and __________ families together.
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Full version:
1. Q: Hello, can you tell me what Pchum Ben is?
A: Yes. Pchum Ben is a festival to honor ancestors
2. Q: How long does the festival last?
A: It lasts 15 days.
3. Q: When does Pchum Ben usually take place?
A: It usually takes place in September or October.
4. Q: What do people bring to the pagoda?
A: People bring food, especially rice.
5. Q: Why do they bring food?
A: They bring food to help the spirits and show respect.
6. Q: What is the most important day of Pchum Ben called?
A: It is called Pchum Ben Day.
7. Q: Where do people gather on the most important day?
A: People gather at the pagodas.
8. Q: What do the offerings do for the spirits?
A: The offerings help the spirits find peace and be nourished.
9. Q: How does Pchum Ben bring families together?
A: Families come together to visit pagodas and remember ancestors.
10. Q: Is Pchum Ben connected to religion?
A: Yes. It is rooted in Buddhism.
11. Q: Do children also join the festival?
A: Yes. Children come with their families.
12. Q: Why is Pchum Ben important for Cambodia?
A: It is important because it honors ancestors and brings families together.
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Which words in the text are we looking for?
The final word is?
