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 ______________ 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 _______________ 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 ______________ 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 __________________, 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 _______________, and remember those who have passed away. It’s one of the most important holidays in Cambodia, deeply rooted in Buddhist _______________ and the country’s culture.
FILL IN: gratitude – prayers – ancestors – spirits – traditions – belief
____________________________________________
Some vocabulary:
– **Ancestor**: A person from your family who lived long ago, like a great-grandparent.
– **Pass away**: To die.
– **Spirits**: Ghosts or the souls of people who have died.
– **Gather**: To come together in one place.
– **Offerings**: Gifts, usually food or other items, given during religious or special events.
– **Nourish**: To give food or something needed to grow and stay healthy.
– **Gratitude**: Feeling thankful or happy for something someone has done for you.
– **To be rooted**: To come from or be connected to something, like a tradition or culture.
____________________________________________
Ten questions based on the text
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?
____________________________________________
Here are 10 multiple-choice questions based on the Pchum Ben text, where more than one answer may be correct:
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
____________________________________________
Which words in the text are we looking for?
The final word is……….
