It celebrates the end of the rainy season and the natural „reversal“ of the Tonle Sap River, which changes its flow direction.
This year, the Floating Market and Boat-Riding Event will be held from 4 to 6 November 2025. It will take place around the Royal Residence Garden and along the Siem Reap River.
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You work at the front desk of a ***** hotel in Siem Reap. A guest comes to you and asks you what Bon Om Touk is, and if being celebrated in November
Bon Om Touk, also called the Cambodian Water Festival, is a lively and important festival in Cambodia. It celebrates the end of the rainy season and the natural „reversal“ of the Tonle Sap River, which changes its flow direction. This event is special because the Tonle Sap River is one of the few rivers in the world that flows both ways, and this reversal brings lots of fish to the region. Bon Om Touk is celebrated over three days in November, especially in the capital, Phnom Penh.
During the festival, people gather to watch colorful boat races along the Tonle Sap River. Long boats, powered by teams of rowers, compete against each other, and thousands of people cheer them on. The races are the main highlight of Bon Om Touk and attract participants from all over Cambodia.
At night, there are beautiful light displays, music, fireworks, and ceremonies. People light lanterns and float small boats with candles on the river to bring good luck. Bon Om Touk is not only a celebration of nature but also a way for Cambodians to honor their water, which is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life.
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Vocabulary:
- to celebrate – to be happy about an event and do something special
- a reversal – a change to the opposite direction or way
- a lively festival – a happy and active party with many people
- to change direction – to go a different way
- to gather – to come together in a group
- a boat race – a competition where people row boats to see who is fastest
- to compete against each other – to try to win against other people
- to cheer somebody on – to shout and show support for someone
- a highlight – the most important or exciting part of something
- to attract – to make people want to come or see
- a participant – a person who takes part in an activity or event
- at night – in the dark time after the sun goes down
- a light display – a show with lights to look at
- a firework – an object that makes bright lights and loud sounds in the sky for celebrations
- a ceremony – an event with special actions or traditions
- to light lanterns – to put light inside small lamps or decorations
- to float boats with candles – to put small boats with candles on the water so they move on it
- good luck – success or happiness that happens by chance
- to honor something – to show respect or importance for something
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Multiple choice, one answer correct:
- Bon Om Touk is a very ______ festival in Cambodia.
a) lively
b) sleepy
c) quiet - People ______ to watch the boat races on the river.
a) leave
b) gather
c) hide - A boat race is when people ______ against each other.
a) eat
b) compete
c) sleep - Fans ______ their favourite rowers.
a) forget
b) push
c) cheer on - The festival is a way to ______ water in Cambodia.
a) honor
b) break
c) lose - A reversal happens when the river ______ its direction.
a) falls
b) changes
c) stops - Bon Om Touk is ______ in November.
a) missed
b) celebrated
c) hidden - Many people come to see the colourful ______ at night.
a) chairs
b) light displays
c) walls - People float small ______ on the river for good luck.
a) stones
b) boats with candles
c) hats - Candles are small sticks of ______.
a) wood
b) paper
c) wax - The boat races are the main ______ of the festival.
a) highlight
b) secret
c) problem - Water is very ______ for farming, fishing, and life.
a) heavy
b) important
c) dirty - Thousands of people come to watch and take part; they are called ______.
a) animals
b) participants
c) workers - Bon Om Touk is celebrated at night with music, fireworks, and ______.
a) trees
b) houses
c) ceremonies - The river is one of the few rivers in the world that can flow both ways, it is very ______.
a) special
b) small
c) fast
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Answers:
1a, 2b, 3b, 4c, 5a, 6b,
7b, 8b, 9b, 10c, 11a,
12b, 13b, 14c, 15a
************************************
Correct version:
- Bon Om Touk is a very lively festival in Cambodia.
- People gather to watch the boat races on the river.
- A boat race is when people compete against each other.
- Fans cheer on their favourite rowers.
- The festival is a way to honor water in Cambodia.
- A reversal happens when the river changes its direction.
- Bon Om Touk is celebrated in November.
- Many people come to see the colourful light displays at night.
- People float small boats with candles on the river for good luck.
- Candles are small sticks of wax.
- The boat races are the main highlight of the festival.
- Water is very important for farming, fishing, and life.
- Thousands of people come to watch and take part; they are called participants.
- Bon Om Touk is celebrated at night with music, fireworks, and ceremonies.
- The river is very special because it can flow both ways.
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Find the following words in the text:
- ________Very valuable or needed; something that matters a lot.
- ________A stick of wax that you light to make a small flame and give light.
- _______ People who join in or take part in something.
- ________ To clap, shout, or show happiness and support for someone.
- _________ To come together in one place.
- __________ When something changes direction and goes the opposite way.
- _________ Full of energy, activity, and excitement.
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Correct answers:
- Very valuable or needed; something that matters a lot. → important
- A stick of wax that you light to make a small flame and give light. → candle
- People who join in or take part in something. → participants
- To clap, shout, or show happiness and support for someone. → cheer them on
- To come together in one place. → gather
- When something changes direction and goes the opposite way. → reversal
- Full of energy, activity, and excitement. → lively
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More than 1 answer may be correct:
1. **What is Bon Om Touk also known as?**
– A) Cambodian Water Festival
– B) Khmer Boat Festival
– C) Cambodian New Year
– D) River Reversal Festival
2. **Why is Bon Om Touk celebrated?**
– A) To honor Cambodia’s history
– B) To celebrate the river’s reversal
– C) To mark the end of the rainy season
– D) To celebrate the Cambodian New Year
3. **How long does Bon Om Touk last?**
– A) One day
– B) Three days
– C) Five days
– D) A week
4. **Where is Bon Om Touk mainly celebrated?**
– A) Angkor Wat
– B) Phnom Penh
– C) Siem Reap
– D) Tonle Sap Lake
5. **Which of the following activities are part of Bon Om Touk?**
– A) Boat races
– B) Lantern lighting
– C) Fireworks displays
– D) Harvest ceremonies
6. **What does the river reversal bring to Cambodia?**
– A) More rainfall
– B) Large numbers of fish
– C) New plant species
– D) Fresh water for farming
7. **Who participates in the boat races?**
– A) Rowers from all over Cambodia
– B) Only locals from Phnom Penh
– C) International participants
– D) Tourists visiting Cambodia
8. **What types of boats are used in the races?**
– A) Long boats with teams of rowers
– B) Fishing boats
– C) Wooden canoes
– D) Motorized boats
9. **Which of the following best describes the festival atmosphere?**
– A) Quiet and reflective
– B) Lively and energetic
– C) Peaceful and silent
– D) Joyful and celebratory
10. **What time of year does Bon Om Touk take place?**
– A) During the rainy season
– B) At the end of the rainy season
– C) In November
– D) In April
11. **How do people show good luck during Bon Om Touk?**
– A) By floating small boats with candles
– B) By attending prayer ceremonies
– C) By dancing around the river
– D) By wearing traditional clothing
12. **Why is Bon Om Touk significant to Cambodians?**
– A) It honors water, essential for life
– B) It attracts international tourists
– C) It celebrates the river that helps with farming and fishing
– D) It marks the start of the dry season
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Correct answers:
- What is Bon Om Touk also known as?
A) Cambodian Water Festival ✅ (Text says: “also called the Cambodian Water Festival”) - Why is Bon Om Touk celebrated?
B) To celebrate the river’s reversal ✅ (“…the natural ‘reversal’ of the Tonle Sap River”)
C) To mark the end of the rainy season ✅ (“It celebrates the end of the rainy season…”) - How long does Bon Om Touk last?
B) Three days ✅ (“Bon Om Touk is celebrated over three days in November”) - Where is Bon Om Touk mainly celebrated?
B) Phnom Penh ✅ (“especially in the capital, Phnom Penh”) - Which of the following activities are part of Bon Om Touk?
A) Boat races ✅ (“people gather to watch colorful boat races”)
B) Lantern lighting ✅ (“People light lanterns…”)
C) Fireworks displays ✅ (“…music, fireworks, and ceremonies”) - What does the river reversal bring to Cambodia?
B) Large numbers of fish ✅ (“…this reversal brings lots of fish to the region”) - Who participates in the boat races?
A) Rowers from all over Cambodia ✅ (“…attract participants from all over Cambodia”) - What types of boats are used in the races?
A) Long boats with teams of rowers ✅ (“Long boats, powered by teams of rowers…”) - Which of the following best describes the festival atmosphere?
B) Lively and energetic ✅ (“…is a lively and important festival…”) - What time of year does Bon Om Touk take place?
C) In November ✅ (“Bon Om Touk is celebrated over three days in November…”) - How do people show good luck during Bon Om Touk?
A) By floating small boats with candles ✅ (“…float small boats with candles on the river to bring good luck”) - Why is Bon Om Touk significant to Cambodians?
A) It honors water, which is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life ✅ (“…a way for Cambodians to honor their water, which is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life”)
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True or false:
- People gather to watch colorful boat races along the Tonle Sap River.
- The festival celebrates the beginning of the rainy season.
- Bon Om Touk is celebrated over three days in November.
- People float small boats with candles on the river to bring bad luck.
- Bon Om Touk is only celebrated in Siem Reap.
- The Tonle Sap River changes its flow direction naturally.
- The boat races are powered by teams of rowers.
- Water is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life in Cambodia.
- Bon Om Touk is a lively and important festival in Cambodia.
- Thousands of people cheer the rowers on during the races.
- Bon Om Touk is celebrated over five days.
- At night, there are music, fireworks, and ceremonies.
- The festival does not celebrate nature in any way.
- Bon Om Touk brings lots of fish to the region.
_________________________
True:
1,3,6,7,8,9,10,12,14
_________________________
Correct version:
- People gather to watch colorful boat races along the Tonle Sap River.
- The festival celebrates the beginning of the rainy season. True is: To celebrate the end of the rainy season
- Bon Om Touk is celebrated over three days in November.
- People float small boats with candles on the river to bring bad luck. True is: to bring good luck
- Bon Om Touk is only celebrated in Siem Reap. True is: especially in Phnom Penh
- The Tonle Sap River changes its flow direction naturally.
- The boat races are powered by teams of rowers.
- Water is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life in Cambodia.
- Bon Om Touk is a lively and important festival in Cambodia.
- Thousands of people cheer the rowers on during the races.
- Bon Om Touk is celebrated over five days. True is: over three days
- At night, there are music, fireworks, and ceremonies.
- The festival does not celebrate nature in any way. True is: It is a celebration of nature
- Bon Om Touk brings lots of fish to the region.
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Dialogue:
Anna: Hello! Can you tell me about Bon Om Touk?
Sophea: Yes, of course! It is the Cambodian Water Festival.
Anna: When do you celebrate it?
Sophea: We celebrate it in November.
Anna: How long does the festival last?
Sophea: It lasts for three days.
Anna: Where do people celebrate it?
Sophea: People celebrate it especially in Phnom Penh.
Anna: Why do you celebrate Bon Om Touk?
Sophea: We celebrate the end of the rainy season and the river reversal.
Anna: What is special about the Tonle Sap River?
Sophea: The river flows both ways.
Anna: What happens during the boat races?
Sophea: Teams of rowers compete against each other.
Anna: Do many people watch the boat races?
Sophea: Yes, thousands of people watch and cheer.
Anna: What else happens at night during the festival?
Sophea: There are music, fireworks, and ceremonies.
Anna: Do people use lanterns?
Sophea: Yes, people light lanterns and float small boats with candles.
Anna: Why do they float the boats with candles?
Sophea: They do it to bring good luck.
Anna: Is Bon Om Touk only about fun?
Sophea: No, it also honors water and nature, which are very important in Cambodia.
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Complete, words below:
honors – changes – displays – compete –
participants – highlight – lively –
special – gather –
reversal –
candles
____________________________
Bon Om Touk, also called the Cambodian Water Festival, is a __________ festival in Cambodia.
People __________in Phnom Penh to celebrate the end of the rainy season and the natural __________ of the Tonle Sap River.
The river __________ direction, bringing lots of fish to the region.
The main __________ is the boat race, where long boats __________ against each other.
Thousands of people cheer the __________ on.
At night, there are light __________, fireworks, and ceremonies.
People light lanterns and float boats with -_________on the river for good luck.
Bon Om Touk __________water, which is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life in Cambodia.
The festival is a very __________ and lively event.
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Full version:
Bon Om Touk, also called the Cambodian Water Festival, is a lively festival in Cambodia.
People gather in Phnom Penh to celebrate the end of the rainy season and the natural reversal of the Tonle Sap River.
The river changes direction, bringing lots of fish to the region.
The main highlight is the boat race, where long boats compete against each other.
Thousands of people cheer the participants on.
At night, there are light displays, fireworks, and ceremonies.
People light lanterns and float boats with candles on the river for good luck.
Bon Om Touk honors water, which is important for farming, fishing, and everyday life in Cambodia.
The festival is a very special and lively event.
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Which phrase are we looking for? First, find words in text!
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BONUS dialogue:
Interview with the Organizer of Bon Om Touk (Cambodian Water Festival)
1. Interviewer: Hello! Can you tell me what Bon Om Touk is?
Organizer: Hello! Yes, Bon Om Touk is the Cambodian Water Festival. It celebrates the end of the rainy season and the reversal of the Tonle Sap River.
2. Interviewer: Why is this river special?
Organizer: The Tonle Sap River is very special because it flows in two directions. When it changes direction, many fish come to the region.
3. Interviewer: When do people celebrate Bon Om Touk?
Organizer: We celebrate it for three days in November every year.
4. Interviewer: Where is the biggest celebration?
Organizer: The biggest celebration is in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
5. Interviewer: What is the main highlight of the festival?
Organizer: The main highlight is the colorful boat races on the Tonle Sap River.
6. Interviewer: Who takes part in the boat races?
Organizer: Many teams from all over Cambodia join the races. Each team has many rowers in a long boat.
7. Interviewer: What do people do during the day?
Organizer: People watch the boat races, cheer for their teams, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
8. Interviewer: What happens at night?
Organizer: At night, there are light displays, music, fireworks, and beautiful ceremonies.
9. Interviewer: What do people put on the river at night?
Organizer: They float small boats with candles and lanterns on the river for good luck.
10. Interviewer: Why do people light lanterns?
Organizer: It is a way to bring good fortune and to thank the water for giving life.
11. Interviewer: How does the festival help the community?
Organizer: It brings people together, helps local businesses, and celebrates our culture.
———-end of audiofile 1———-
12. Interviewer: Is Bon Om Touk only for Cambodians?
Organizer: No, everyone is welcome! Many tourists come to enjoy the festival too.
13. Interviewer: What does this festival mean to you?
Organizer: For me, it means happiness, unity, and respect for nature and water.
14. Interviewer: What would you like visitors to remember about Bon Om Touk?
Organizer: I want them to remember the joy, the colorful boats, and how important water is for our life and our country.