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INTRODUCTION : By raising our student’s awareness of reading as a skill that requires active engagement and by teaching explicable reading strategies, we help our students to develop good pronunciation, articulation, rhythm, fluency and accuracy. GOALS : -
good pronunciation use of appropriate rhythm and stress to achieve well-paced, fluent reading to build important literacy skills such as comprehension
PROCESS : Select topics which are related to students’ interests and experiences or explore universal contemporary themes and issues.
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DURING READING : read with a purpose in mind and give complete attention to the reading task create visual images focus on unity and coherence, articulation, and good pronunciation identify with and develop an understanding of the characters (story)
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AFTER READING : reread important words when necessary paraphrase and summarize major ideas recognize how particular elements create moods or tones seek additional information from other sources as needed or desired ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Honorary Advisor : Bro. Dr. Monthol Prathumarach Committee : Bro.Manit Sakonthawat, M.A. Bro.Pathanant Chaiyara Mr.Tong-In Sawaengsin, M.A. Mr.Pisit Krittayanawach, M.A. Mr.Avirut Wisetchart, M.A. Mr.Yutthachai Ittivorachet, M.M. Ms.Yaowaluck Yaochareon, M.A. Ms.Pornsirin Watthanasathian, M.A. English Teachers Primary 1 - Secondary 3 Editorial Team : Mr.Yutthachai Ittivorachet, M.M. Members of the Foreigen Language Department Design & Layout : Mr.Wutichart Chatarupacheewin, M.FA. Mr.Sarayut Jorjaroenpanich Mr.Peerawit Arjloi Mr.Premsak Rativiriyapong, M.A. Audio Recorders : Mr.Weerawat Chaisuriya Mr.Samroeng Kaewsod Produced by : Saint Gabriel’s College BANGKOK, THAILAND Copyright @ 2018 ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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CONTENTS The Stone Cutter
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On The Way to The Sun
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Money Can’t Buy Everything
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A Canadian Winter
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The Story of Jeans
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Meet the Celebrities in London!
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England at Christmas
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The Surprise Party
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Moving to the Country
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Somebody is Watching You
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How to be Honest
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The Amazon Rainforest
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Health is Wealth
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Hurricanes
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Maha Nakhon Building Bangkok Bangkok’s New Tallest Building..
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The Stone Cutter
Once upon a time there lived a stone cutter in a small village. All day long he worked hard, cutting the hard stones and making the shape which were needed by his customers. His hands were hard and his clothes were dirty. One day he went out to work on a big stone. It was very hard to work and the sun was very hot. After spending several hours cutting the stone, he sat down in the shade and soon fell asleep. After sometime, he heard sound of somebody coming. Walking up he saw a 4
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long procession of people. There were many soldiers and attendants and in the middle, in a palanquin, carried by strong people at the king. How wonderful it must be to be the great king thought the stone cutter. How happy I would be if I were the king instead of a poor stone cutter. As he said these words, a strange thing happened. The stone cutter found himself dressed in silk clothes and shining jewels. His hands were soft and he was sitting in a comfortable palanquin. He looked through the curtains and thought, “How easy it is to be a king, these people are here to serve me.” The procession moved on and the sun grew hot. The stone cutter, now the king, became too warm for comfort. He asked the procession to stop so that he could rest for some time. At once the chief of the soldiers bent before the king and said Your Majesty, only this morning you swore to have me hanged to death if we did not reach the palace before the sun set. The stone cutter felt sorry for him and ordered the procession to go on its way again. As the afternoon wore on, the sun grew hotter, and the king became more and more uncomfortable. I am powerful, it is true, but how more powerful the sun is, he thought I ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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would rather be the sun than a king. At once, he became the sun, shining down on the earth. His new power was hard to control. He shone too strongly, he burned up the fields with his rays and turned the ocean into vapour and formed a great cloud which covered the land. But no matter how hard he shone, he could not see through the clouds. It is obvious that the clouds are even stronger and more powerful than sun said the stone cutter, now the sun, I would rather be a cloud. Suddenly he found himself turned into a huge dark cloud. He started using his new power. He poured rain down on the fields and caused floods. All the trees and houses were swept away but a boulder, which once he had been cutting when he was a stone cutter was unmoved and unchanged. However much he poured down on the stone it did not move. Why that rock is more powerful than I am said the stone cutter now a cloud. Only a stone cutter could change the rock by his skill. How I wish I were a stone cutter. No sooner he said the words that he found himself sitting on a stone with hard and rough hands. He picked up his tools and set to work on the boulder, happily. 6
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On The Way to The Sun
He had journeyed a long way, and was very tired. It seemed like a dream when he stood up after a sleep in the field, and looked over the wall, and saw the garden, and the flowers, and the children playing all about. He looked at the long road behind him, at the dark wood and the barren hills; it was the world to which he belonged. He looked at the garden before him, at the big house, and the terrace, and the steps that led down to the smooth lawn-it was the world which belonged to the children. ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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“Poor boy,” said the elder child, “I will get you something to eat.” “But where did he come from?” the gardener asked. “We do not know,” the child answered; but he is very hungry, and mother says we may give him some food.” “I will take him some milk,” said the little one; in one hand she carried a mug and with the other she pulled along her little broken cart. “But what is he called?” asked the gardener. “We do not know,” the little one answered; “but he is very thirsty, and mother says we may give him some milk.” “Where is he going?” asked the gardener. “we do not know,” the children said; “but he is very tired.” When the boy had rested well, he got up saying, “I must not stay any longer,” and turned to go on his way. “What have you to do?” the children asked. “I am one of the crew, and must help to make the world go round,” he answered. “Why do we not help too?” “You are the passengers.” “How far have you to go?” they asked. 8
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“Oh, a long way!” he answered. “On and on until I can touch the sun.” “Will you really touch it?” they said, awestruck. “I dare say I shall tire long before I get there,” he answered sadly. “Perhaps without knowing it, though, I shall reach it in my sleep,” he added. But they hardly heard the last words, for he was already far off. “Why did you talk to him?” the gardener said. “He is just a working boy.” “And we do not thing! It was very good of him to notice us,” they said, humbly. “Good!” said the gardener in despair. “Why, between you and him there is a great difference.” “There was only a wall,” they answered “Who set it up?” they asked curiously. “Why? The builders, of course. Men set it up.” “And who will pull it down?” “It will not want any pulling down,” the man answered grimly. “Time will do that.” As the children went back to their play, they looked up at the light towards which the boy was journeying. “Perhaps we too shall reach it some day,” they said.
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Money Can’t Buy Everything
Nick was a 10 year old boy. He was the only son to his parents. Nick’s father was a very busy businessman who could not spend time with his son. He came home after Nick Nick slept, and was off to office before Nick woke up in the morning. Nick yearned for his father’s attention. He wanted to go outdoors and play with his father just like his friends did. One day, Nick was surprised to see his father at home in the evening. 10
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said.
“Dad, it is a big surprise to see you at home,” Nick
“Yes son, my meeting was cancelled. So I’m at home. But after two hours I have to catch a flight,” his father replied. “When will you be back?” “Tomorrow noon.” Nick was in deep thought for a while. Then he asked, “Dad, how much do you earn in a year?” Nick’s father was taken aback. He said, “My dear son, it’s a very big amount and you won’t be able to understand it.” “Ok dad, are you happy with the amount you earn?” “Yes my dear. I’m very happy, and in fact I’m planning to launch our new branch and a new business in a few months. Isn’t that great?” “Yes, dad. I’m happy to hear that. Can I ask you one more question?” “Yes, dear.” “Dad, can you tell me how much you earn in a day or even half a day?” “Nick, why are you asking this question?” Nick’s father was perplexed. But Nick was persistent. “Please answer me. Can ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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you please tell me how much you earn in an hour?” Nick’s father gave in and replied, “It will be around $25/per hour.” Nick ran to his room upstairs, and came down with his piggy bank that contained his savings. “Dad, I have $50 in my piggy bank. Can you spare two hours for me? I want to go to the beach and have dinner with you tomorrow evening. Can you please mark this in your schedule?” Nick’s father was speechless! The greatest gift a parent can give his child is time. Money can’t buy everything!
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A Canadian Winter
If there is one thing that unites almost the whole population of Canada, it is the experience of winter. While in most parts of Europe, people never know what the winter weather will be like from one week to the next, Canadians know what winter means. When the last leaves fall off the trees in autumn, Canadians know that the winter is coming, and that it will be cold; or if it is not cold, it will be very cold! When the Arctic air blows south in the winter months, Canadians know that the temperature will fall to -20 or lower, perhaps down to -40; but because they know that it is going to happen, ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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Canadians are ready for it! That, as they say, is half the battle of survival! In Edmonton, the biggest city in the province of Alberta, the first winter snows can come in October. When this happens, Edmontonians complain that it is a bit early, but then just got on with normal life. For most of the winter, which usually lasts from November to April, daytime temperatures in the city rarely rise above freezing; from time to time, Arctic winds blow down from the north, and for several days temperatures in the city may not rise above -20 (and may drop below -40). But in a city where people are used to cold winters, life carries on as usual. Canadians have to know how to cope with the cold; those who can’t have just two options, to emigrate or to go and live beyond the Rocky Mountains, beside the Pacific Ocean, in “B.C.” - British Columbia! The easiest way to keep away from the cold of a Canadian winter is to stay indoors as much as possible! This does not mean that you have to stay at home, however! Many people keep their cars in heated basement garages which they can reach without going outside. Cars are often kept warm in winter, with electric 14
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heaters which are plugged into power points. Some shopping centres have underground or indoor parking lots: and in the city centre, it is often possible to walk from one building to another, underground or above ground, without ever having to go out in the cold. The biggest shopping centre in town has hundreds of shops, cinemas, an ice rink, a sports centre and an amusement park all under one roof! The ‘West Edmonton Mall” is like an indoor city - and in the heart of winter, it is a good place to go shopping. Outside, people make the most of the snow, for leisure and recreation. Skiing, skating and snow-shoeing are popular activities that can be practised in the city’s parks. Many parks also have areas which are flooded in winter, to provide natural ice rinks, which are lit up in the evenings. Everyone tries to enjoy the snow as much as possible! Perhaps this is easier than it is in most part of Europe as Canadian snow tends to be dry and powdery. For most of the winter, for example, you can’t make it into snowballs, it’s too cold. There is no point in putting salt on the roads, either, as at -10 and below, the snow just will not melt, even with salt! The only way to clear the roads is to use snow-ploughs or snow-blowers. ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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.The Story of Jeans
West.
Jeans were the classic clothes of the American
In 1853, a young tailor from Germany, called Levi Strauss, began working in San Francisco, Levi sold thick canvas to miners; who used it to make tents. One day, a miner told Levi that he could not find trousers that were strong enough for work in the gold mines. Levi decided to make some trousers out of canvas. Very soon, he had sold all the canvas trousers he had made! They were just what the miners wanted. However, the canvas was rather heavy and stiff. Levi therefore began to look for a different textile; soon 16
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he found a heavy textile from France; it was called serge de Nimes. Americans just called this de Nimes, and this name soon got reduced to denim. Denim was a bit lighter than canvas, but it was very strong; it was ideal for miners. However, original denim was almost white, and the miners didn’t like the color! Their denim trousers got dirty as soon as they began working! Levi Strauss therefore decided to use colored denim, and he chose dark blue. In 1873, he began to make denim trousers with metal rivets to make them stronger. This was a radical new idea: “Blue jeans” had arrived! Levi’s jeans were so popular, that his company got bigger and bigger; soon, others firms were making blue jeans too. Miners liked them, but so did cowboys and other working men. Blue jeans became the classic American working trousers. After the Second World War, jeans became popular all over the world. Today, blue jeans are made over the world-most of them in Asia. Very few jeans are now made in the USA, because of the cost but it is still possible to buy blue jeans that are made in San Francisco .... if you have a lot of money to spend. ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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Today there are hundreds of different brands of jeans. Many top fashion brands, like Armani or Benetton, make their own blue jeans. But for real authentic jeans, “Levi’s” are still the most popular brand. JEANS for EVERYONE? In America, everyone wears jeans as leisure wear. Some people wear jeans all the time, even for work. But Americans are perhaps less formal than other nations. At the “G7” Summit in Denver, in 1997, American President Bill Clinton gave all his visitors jeans, for a “Western evening”. Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, put them on, but other European leaders, including Chancellor Kohl of Germany and Jacques Chirac, the President of France, refused. Some people still think that jeans are not respectable clothes! Not the young! Jeans are now the international uniform worn by young people. Why? That is a good question!
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Meet the Celebrities in London!
Many people like to see celebrities but celebrities don’t usually like being looked at - at least, not all day every day! There is, however, one place in England where you can look at celebrities-a lot of them, every day: this is Madame Tussaud’s, the most popular tourist attraction in London. On most days of the year, queues of visitors can be seen outside Madame Tussaud’s, all wanting to get in and see some of the most famous people in the world - kings ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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and queens, politicians, stars, and even famous criminals. They are all inside, just waiting to be looked at, or talked to. If you like, you can talk to film stars, politicians and even tyrants in Madame Tussaud’s, but they won’t say anything to you, because they can’t! Madame Tussaud’s is a wax-works, and the “famous people” in the building are really made out of wax. Marie Tussaud was born in Strasbourg in 1765. As a child she learned how to make wax models of people, and later went to Paris. Then in 1802 she moved to England, touring round the country with her exhibition of wax figures. In 1835 (aged 70!), she finally settled in London. “Madame Tussaud’s” has been one of the city’s most popular exhibitions ever since. Naturally, the collection has changed and grown; indeed, it keeps changing all the time. While there are some historic figures that do not change, others come and go, and others are “aged” as the years go by. The most popular figures in the exhibition are royalty and stars. Princess Diana has been an overall favorite for several years, and other popular figures include Tony Blair, David Beckham, Brad Pitt and Elvis Presley…. to mention just a few of them. 20
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Another popular part of the exhibition is the “chamber of horrors”, with its famous murderers and its instruments of torture! At Madame Tussaud’s, it is only the very famous who get a place in the exhibition. That is not surprising really, It takes about six months to create a real life-like wax model. The sculptors use lots of photos and measurements, in order to obtain a perfect likeness. For example, it took 450 hours to re-create Spice Girl Mel G’s famous curly hair! In all, a wax figure costs over £40,000 to make-a lot of money! And, you ask, what happens to yesterday’s famous people? Well, they are taken out of the collection, and their heads are stored for a while. Then, if it is clear that no one will ever want to see them again, they are melted down and re-used for another person! Many people achieve passing fame; few achieve lasting fame!
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England at Christmas
Christmas is the biggest festival in the English year. Once the festival lasted two days, but today it seems to last for almost two months. Christmas Day, December 25th, is the day when most people in Britain sit down to a special meal of roast turkey and Christmas pudding; but Christmas Day is just the high point of the “Christmas period”. In the weeks before Christmas, life is very busy. There are parties, there are trips to the cinema or the pantomime, and of course there’s all the shopping. 22
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On Christmas day, Britain closes! For most people, Christmas is a time to relax at least after many long and busy weeks. The presents have been bought and sent, dozens of cards have been sent and received, and the food is waiting to be eaten. For two days at least (if not three or four, depending on the year), the shops will be shut, and the postman will not deliver any letters. For a day or two, even the trains stop running. Nowadays, Britain’s Christmas shopping season lasts almost four months! The first Christmas catalogues come through letter-boxes at the start of September! Lots of busy people like shopping online, because it is easy. All they have to do is choose from the pages of a colourful catalogue, or use the Internet. A few days later, goods are delivered to the door….or at least one hopes they are. Some Internet shops work 24/7 in the weeks before Christmas, to make sure that everyone gets their presents on time. Many Christmas catalogues come from charities. Each charity has its own specialties-nature and animals from WWF, the RSPCA and others, “green” products from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and hand-made articles from developing countries from charities like Oxfam and Save the Children. Big charities like these ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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earn a lot of money from their Christmas catalogues. In the streets, Christmas arrives at the start of November. Santa Claus and Christmas decorations start appearing in shop windows soon after “Guy Fawkes Night” (5th November). There are no other festivities between Guy Fawkes Night and Christmas. In the streets, vendors sell Father Christmas hats, and reindeer horns! Many shops need extra staff. Some shops sell as much in November and December as they do in the other 10 months of the year. Shops stay open tell later in the evening, and on Sundays too. During December, sometimes even earlier, the Christmas lights come on in the streets, and the big shops put on special. “Christmas windows”, to bring in the shoppers. As Christmas gets closer, the shops become more and more crowded. Nowadays, many shops start their “New Year Sales” before Christmas. Some people therefore wait till the last days, in order to pay less for their presents. When the shops finally close for the holiday, most people are happy that the shopping is over. For a day at least, everything is shut… except pubs and restaurants, which do a lot of business on Christmas day. On Christmas morning, some people go to church in the 24
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morning, others stay at home to open presents and prepare the Christmas lunch. In the afternoon, it’s time for more presents, or to watch a good film, or go out for a walk in the country, or in the park. Then, after Christmas, the shopping season starts again, as people spend their Christmas money and look for bargains in the New Year sales. Most people have a week’s holiday between Christmas and the New Year. Some, of course, have to keep working; but for most, the last week of the year is a time to relax, enjoy more parties, and do a bit more shopping. January sometimes seems very flat and empty!
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The Surprise Party
In the cold and plain living room, Matt is sitting in his chair. His eyes don’t shine anymore. His skin is wrinkled and pale. He looks extremely old and weak. Today is his birthday, and he is by himself. The only thing that he has been doing all day is thinking about how his life is sad and lonely. As he was looking at some old pictures, he found one special with him and his friends from college. This picture brought back the days when he had friends and his life was full of happiness. Also, it brought him a sad memory happened forty years ago, during his last year of college. Throughout college, Matt 26
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had a friend named Mark. Mark was tall and skinny. He wore thick glasses. He was shy, smart and responsible. Also, Mark didn’t have a lot of friends as Matt did. He considered Matt as his best friend. As good friends, Matt and Mark went bowling together, they knew everything about each other, and they hung out. Also, they overcame many problems together. They were really good friends. On his twenty-fourth birthday their lives changed. On the night before his birthday, Mark called Matt, “Hi, Matt” his voice sounded strange. He continued, “I have an important project to work on. I’m having some problems with it. Maybe, you could come over and help me with it giving me some new ideas. Could you?” Matt asked, “What time?” Mark kept in silent for a minute, then he said. “is 8 p.m. good for you?” Then Matt answered, “Ok! See you later. “That night, was Matt’s birthday. So, he didn’t want to spend his birthday helping Mark with his project. He went to a club with some others guys instead. The next morning, Matt noticed that Mark was acting differently. When he went to talk to Mark, Mark ignored him completely. He left the classroom without saying one word. As Mark was walking away, Matt said in an angry voice, “You are selfish. You are just thinking ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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about yourself. I was having fun on my birthday. Why can’t you understand that?” After he had said that, Mallory, one of his classmates and friend, stood up and said, “How can you say such thing to Mark? You don’t know what happened! Last night, he called you many times, but he didn’t get any response from you. He became worried that something was all wrong with you. He took his car and drove all night looking for you. He looked at the hospitals, the jails, and bars…” Matt started to apologize to Mallory and their said, “Why did he do has? He could have worked on the project by himself, and …” Mallory replied angrily, “Shut up! He had prepared a surprise party for you, and we waited for you or for a call all night long. Tears fell from her eyes. Matt didn’t know what to say or what to do. Before he could say anything, she left the classroom. He sat down and stayed there for long time. He looked around the classroom. It was cold and plain without his friends. It was empty, just like his living room is now.
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Moving to the Country
City Life is cool; but is country life cooler? Apparently yes. More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas. The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain’s population is still growing. Where are the people going? Answer: to the country. ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not. Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lot of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don’t use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don’t stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads ... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people 30
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say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements. Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse. The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them. On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas. Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain’s population will stop rising. From about the year 2020, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 years’ time, there will be less people in Britain than today-perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably rare by then.
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Somebody is Watching You
CCTV cameras were initially developed as a means of security for banks. In Britain, they first appeared in 1953 and by the 1960s, there were already a few cameras in major streets in London. Today, there are more than four million CCTV cameras across the country. That’s one camera for every fourteen people. The cameras are there to film dangerous or illegal behavior. With new software, they can automatically recognize the faces of known offenders, and a new kind of CCTV in the Netherlands can detect angry voices and automatically warn the police of trouble. Some CCTV cameras can even interact with the people they are watching. These 32
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cameras don’t just watch criminals; they watch all of us, almost all of the time. Every time we go into a shop, use a cash machine, or travel on public transportation, a camera records our actions. The amount of surveillance in towns and cities across Britain is increasing because it is thought to deter crime. Some goods in shops now have RFID tags (radio frequency identification tags) attached to them. When you pick up one of these items, the RFID tag sends a radio message to a CCTV camera and the camera starts filming you. Shops say that this technology helps to catch shoplifters - but only by treating everyone as a potential criminal. Cameras and tags are not the only ways of monitoring our actions. Every time you make or receive a call on your mobile phone, the phone company knows the number of the phone you are calling and how long the call lasts. It is even possible to work out your exact location. The police often use this information when they’re investigating serious crimes. And what about satellites? Are they watching us from space? How much can they see? Anybody with a computer can download ‘Google Earth’ and get satellite photos of the entire world. Perhaps governments are ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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using even more powerful satellites to watch the illegal actions of their citizens. Even when you are at home, you are not necessarily safe from surveillance. High - speed internet connections have made computers more vulnerable than ever before. When you use your computer to visit websites, you are probably sending and receiving ‘cookies’ without realizing it. Cookies transfer information from your computer to the website and, in theory, could record which website you visit. Or perhaps somebody has secretly installed a ‘keystroke logging program’ on your computer. These record every letter that you type on the keyboard : your password, your emails, and your bank account numbers, for example. Modern technology is making it easier and easier to stay in contact, but it is also making it nearly impossible for anyone to hide.
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How to be Honest
Nobody actually wants to be a liar. But it’s just so easy to fudge, blur, omit, and recast information - on even everyday matters for effect or self - protection. To inculcate honesty (in yourself and in others), think about values (“What kind of person do I want to be?”), not rules (“I should not…”). More pointers: Own up. Honesty is more than not telling lies. It’s also about not extending your lunch hour, padding expenses, or picking up after your dog, and speaking up when someone is being treated unfairly. Think of the children. In a recent survey of high ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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school students, 64 percent reported cheating on a test; 30 percent, stealing from a store; and 83 percent, lying to their parents about something significant. At the same time, 93 percent said they were satisfied with their values. Huh? As a grown up, you set the terms. Accept, and vow to change. When you fall off the wagon and the moment has passed, at least be honest with yourself, as in “I didn’t do that right. When I’m in that situation again, I’m going to do better.” All of which may be easier to achieve if the accent is on simply doing what’s right instead of going by the book. When you’re rule-bound, you’re more likely to slip if you’re not likely to be caught. You’re honest when you do the right thing even when nobody is looking. Advice: • Don’t lie to anyone, including yourself. • Find the good in people. Everybody has something. • Do what is right, not what is easy. • Choose what is wise rather than what is fair. • From my grandma: Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.
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The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. It covers an area of nearly 2.8 million square miles, which is nearly the size of the continent of Australia. The Amazon Rainforest gets its life from the majestic Amazon River, the world’s second largest river, which runs directly through the heart of the region. The rainforest itself is simply the drainage basin for the river and its many tributaries. The vast forest consists of four layers, each featuring its own ecosystem and specially adapted plants and animals. The forest floor is the lowest region. Since only two percent of the sunlight filters through the top ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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layers to the understory, very few plants grow here. The forest floor, however, is rich with rotting vegetation and the bodies of dead organisms, which are quickly broken down into nutrients integrated into the soil. Tree roots stay close to these available nutrients and decomposers such as millipedes and earthworms use these nutrients for food. The understory is the layer above the forest floor. Much like the forest, floor, only about two to five percent of the sunlight reaches this shadowy realm. Many of the plants in the understory have large, broad leaves to collect as much sunlight as possible. The understory is so thick that there is very little air movement. As a result, plants rely on insects and animals to pollinate their flowers. 38
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The layer above the understory is the canopy. This is where much of the action in the rainforest occurs. Many canopy leaves are specially adapted to form “drip tips.” Drip tips allow water to flow off the leaves, which prevents mosses, fungi, and lichens from occupying the leaves. Loaves in the canopy are very dense and filter about 80 percent of the sunlight. The canopy is where the wealth of the rainforest’s fruits and flowers grow. Bromeliads, cup-like plants, provide drinking pools for animals and breeding locations for tree frogs. The emergent layer is above the canopy, and is the top layer of the rainforest. Trees in the emergent layer break through the canopy and may reach heights of 200 feet. Leaves in the emergent layer are small and covered with a special wax to hold water. Seeds are blown to other parts of the forest. Trees which rise to the emergent layer are massive. Many are braced by huge buttress roots. Trunks can be 16 feet in circumference. Many animals that survive in the emergent layer never touch the ground.
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Health is Wealth
Once upon a time, there lived a generous and kind-hearted king. But, the people weren’t happy with their king because he was too lazy and would not do anything other than eat and sleep. He spent days, weeks, even months in his bed either eating something or sleeping. He almost became inactive. The king became a couch potato and the people started to worry about him. One day, he realized that he couldn’t move his body, unable to move even his foot. He became very fat and his enemies made fun of him by calling him ‘fatty king’, ‘bulky king’, etc. 40
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He invited specialized doctors from various parts of his country and offered them generous rewards to make him fit. Unfortunately, none could help the king gain his health and fitness. Since the king was very cordial to his fellow people, many suggested renowned doctors to help him. He spent enormously but everything, went in vain. One fine morning, a holy man (Rishi), visited the region of the King. He heard about the ill-health of the king and told the minister to meet him at his place. When the minister arrived the holy man informed him that he could easily cure the king. Hearing these promising words, the minister became very happy. He requested the holy man meet the king to help him to get rid of his ill-health. The holy man resided at a distant place. Since the king could not move his body, he asked the minister to bring the holy man to the palace. However the holy man refused and ordered the king meet him. After strenuous efforts, the king met the holy man. The holy man encouraged him and said he was good and very soon would gain his health. He asked the king to come for treatment every day. Also, the holy man told the king that he would treat him only if he came on foot to his place. ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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The king was unable to walk even a few steps on the road, but accompanied by his followers, he managed to reach the holy man’s place. Unfortunately, the holy man was not available there and his devotee requested the king come and meet him the next day for treatment. This was repeated for two weeks and the king never met the holy man, never had any treatment. Suddenly, the king realized that he felt a lot lighter, lost considerable amount of weight and was able to be more active than before. He realized the reason why the holy man asked him to reach his place by walking. Very soon, the king regained his health, and the people were very happy in his kingdom. The king had a lot of wealth, but no amount of money could make him healthy.
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Hurricanes
Hurricanes are large tropical storms that develop in the oceans of the world. Hurricanes gather heat and energy from the warm ocean water. The heat from these warm currents increases the power of the hurricane. Hurricanes that remain over warm water usually get bigger and stronger. Hurricanes are storms that are given names, and a new list of names is created each year. The first hurricane name starts with the letter A, like Ashley, and the names move through the alphabet as more hurricanes form. Hurricanes clouds move in a circle around a point called the eye, which is the center of the storm. To be called a hurricane, a storm must have wind speeds of at ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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least 74 miles per hour. When a hurricane comes ashore, there are heavy rains, large waves and strong winds that cause damage to buildings, cars and trees. Also, flooding can occur when large waves called storm surges hit the beaches. Storm surges are the main reason people are told to leave beach towns and move inland when a hurricane approaches. Hurricanes move very slowly though, so people have a chance to get out of the way. During the official hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, these large storms sometimes hit coastal areas of the United States. As these hurricanes approach, there is rain and strong winds. Meteorologists, scientists who study the weather, watch these storms very carefully. They classify hurricanes into five categories depending upon how strong the hurricane is Category 1 and 2 hurricanes are the weakest Category 4 and 5 hurricanes are the strongest, and Category 3 storms are in the middle.
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Maha Nakhon Building Bangkok Bangkok's New Tallest Building..
Designed in part by the same team involved in Beijing’s Olympic stadium ‘The Bird’s Nest’, Maha Nakhon is located in Sathorn in downtown Bangkok, part of the Central Business District and surrounded by financial institutions and other five star hotels. Chong Nonsi BTS Skytrain Station is only a few steps from the MahaNakhon building and has a direct walkway into the building. ST. GABRIEL’S COLLEGE
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Next door to the skyscraper there will be an additional shopping and dining area called Maha Nakhon Cube and a central garden area occupying the space in between, which we are led to believe will hold frequent cultural events and bring some much-needed greenery to the Sathon area of Bangkok. Several restaurants have already opened, such as Dean & Deluca bistro, VOGUE Lounge, Morimoto Bangkok, and the much-anticipated L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon restaurant from the culinary legend Joel Robuchon, who was honoured with the title of Chef of the Century by esteemed restaurant guide Gault Millau. The pixelated design of Maha Nakhon Bangkok will be the biggest architectural change to Bangkok in a generation and the buzz is already palpable, as the luxury restaurants and brands it attracts will surely put Bangkok
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on the same scale as anything in the financial city states of Hong Kong or Singapore, proven by the price of the most expensive penthouse apartments for sale: 550 million baht (US$17 million). Maha Nakhon Building will finally give Bangkok an iconic skyscraper befitting Asia’s most visited city. This cubic masterpiece twists 77 floors (or 314 metres, just 10 metres taller than Baiyoke Tower II, which is 304 m.) into the sky and when it is finally completed it will function as a multi-purpose building housing a shopping mall, garden plaza, fine dining restaurants, office space, Bangkok’s first Ritz-Carlton Hotel and ultra-luxe apartments. On the very top three floors there will be a multi-level restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace with 360 degree views towering over Bangkok.
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Reading aloud has proved its importance as an essential component of our curriculum and education; hence, we need to find ways to promote and enhance it at all levels. Reading aloud is a vital aspect of key competencies and contributes to the personal and social well - being of our students. The importance of reading aloud can’t be underestimated. The more our students practice, the better they become fluent, exquisite readers.
SAINT GABRIEL’S COLLEGE 565 Samsen Rd., Dusit, Bangkok 10300. THAILAND Tel. 0-2243-7002, 0-2243-2153, 0-2243-0065 Fax: 0-2243-2150
http://www.sg.ac.th
