Guessing game:

What are the names of the following historical places?

The Huc bridge
One Pillar Pagoda
The great walls
Effente Tower
Van Mieu
tortoise
Rua
Stele – Bia ®¸
The Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River
in the ancient capital of Hue
Unit 16 Historical places
Lesson 1 Reading

I. Before you read
Work in pairs. Answer the following questions:
1. Have you ever been to Hanoi?
2. Have you ever visited Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam?
3. Is Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam a historical place?
Unit 16: Historical places
Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam is a famous historical and cultural site in Hnoi. Originally built in 1070 in the Ly dynasty, Van Mieu was representative of Confucian ways of thought and behaviour. Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam, the first university of Vietnam, was established on the grounds of Van Mieu. Between 1076 and 1779, Quoc Tu Giam educated thousands of talented men for the country. In 1482, Van Mieu became a place to memorialize the most brilliant scholars of the nation. The names, places of birth and achievements of top students in royal examinations were engraved on stone stelae. These stelae, carried on the backs of giant tortoises, are still standing today and they attract great interest from visitors.
After more than 900 years of existence, Van Mieu is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. The banyan trees in Van Mieu, which witnessed festivals and examinations during feidal times, continue to flourish. Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam is a site of national pride for Vietnamese people.
I. Before you read.
New Words
Originally (adv): b¾t ®Çu, khëi ®Çu
Representative (adj): tiªu biÓu, ®iÓn h×nh
Confucian (adj): thuéc vÒ nho gi¸o
Memorialize (v): t«n vinh, t­ëng nhí
Engrave (v): kh¾c, ch¹m træ
stele (n) – stelae (pln): bia
Giant (adj): khæng lå
Tortoise (n) – turtle (n): Rïa
Well-preserved (adj): ®­îc b¶o tån tèt
Banyan tree (n): c©y ®a
Feudal (adj): phong kiÕn
Flourish (v): ph¸t triÓn


II. While you read.

Task 1: Choose A, B, or C that best suits the meaning of the italicised word.

Van Mieu was originally built in 1070 in the Ly dynasty.
A. beautifully B. initially C. finally
2. It is representative of Confucian ways of thought and behavior.
A. typical B. fond C. traditional
3. Van Mieu was a place to memorialize the most brilliant scholars of the nation.
A. ignore B. gather C. honor
4. The stone stelae were engraved with the names of the top students in royal examinations
A. printed B. carved C. washed
5. The banyan trees in Van Mieu continue to flourish even now.
A. slow down B. fall off C. grow well
Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).
1. The construction of Van Mieu took place between 1076 and 1779.
2. Quoc Tu Giam is considered to be the first university of Vietnam.
3. Thousands of talented men were trained in Quoc Tu Giam from 11th to the 19th century.
4. Van Mieu has now lost most of its traditional Vietnamese architecture.
5. Festivals and examinations used to be held in Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam.
6. Visitors can still see some trees which have been in Van Mieu for a long time.

Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
.
1. The construction of Van Mieu took place between 1076 and 1779.
False

It was built in 1070.
Quoc Tu Giam is considered to be the first university of Vietnam.

Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
Quoc Tu Giam, the first university of Vietnam, was established on the grounds of Van Mieu.
True
Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
3. Thousands of talented men were trained in Quoc Tu Giam from the 11th to the 19th century.
Between 1076 and 1779, Quoc Tu Giam educated thousands of talented men for the country.(from 11th century to 18th century)
False
Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
4. Van Mieu has now lost most of its traditional.
It is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture.
False
Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
5. Festivals and examinations used to be held in Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam.
The banyan trees in Van Mieu witnesses festivals and examinations during feudal times.
True
Task 2: Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F)
6. Visitors can still see some trees which have been in Van Mieu for a long time.
These trees continue to flourish.
True
Work in groups. Talk about Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, using the suggestions below.
Why is Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam a place of interest?
When and where were they built?
What were their functions?
What is special about the stelae there?
Example:
Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam is a historical and cultural relic of Vietnam, which attracts a great number of visitors every year. It was built originally by the Ly dynasty in 1070 in Hanoi. Quoc Tu Giam was considered the first university of Vietnam. Royal exams used to take place here and the first comers were honoured by having their names carved on the stone stelae. These stelae were carried on the backs of giant tortoises, which can still be seen today.
Learn by heart the new words and makes sentences with them.