Exam practice

a. regent b. renovated c. pinnacles d. replica e. conferred (was conferred the title is the book’s pattern; the title was conferred on him is the more usual one) f. patronized g. invade

India and China (including Tibet, through Lhasa).

By diplomacy: he played their kings against each other, sometimes siding with Bhaktapur against Lalitpur and at other times with Lalitpur against Bhaktapur, so they never joined against him.

By the side of his palace gate, to ward off evil. The palace has been called Hanuman Dhoka ever since.

Yes, it suits him. He wrote poems in five languages (Sanskrit, Nepal Bhasa, Nepali, Bengali and Hindi), knew several scripts, and set up an inscription in many languages to show it. He also gathered poets and scholars at his court. Still, a title one gives oneself shows some pride: the poems earned it, but it was not given by others.

That he valued learning and the arts, was open-minded (he welcomed scholars from Maharashtra and Bihar as well as Kantipur), and wanted his court to be famous for its culture, as Akbar’s was. He was a patron, not only a ruler.

• the Hanuman statue at Hanuman Dhoka (1672);
• the stone inscription in many languages on the palace wall (1654);
• Ranipokhari and its temple, rebuilt after 2015;
• the sleeping Narayan in the pond at Bhandarkhal;
• Mohan Chowk and Sundari Chowk in the palace;
• the great vajra at Swayambhu;
• the pinnacle of Pashupatinath and the temple at Guhyeshwari;
• his own statue on a pillar in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

/s/: Dick’s house, the aircraft’s black box, a week’s work, my parents’ wedding (the word ends in /s/ already)
/z/: Luna’s pet, Lisa’s essay, Nepal’s border, my brother’s book, children’s shoes, the girls’ excitement, the ladies’ room, Socrates’ philosophy, Ulysses’ friends (the last four end in /z/ already)
/ɪz/: Ramesh’s phone, Thomas’s job, the bus’s arrival, James’s office, coach’s decision, princess’s necklace

During the Dashain holidays, I went to my grandparents’ village in Gorkha. We left Kathmandu early in the morning and reached Gorkha Bazaar by noon. My grandfather was waiting for us at the bus park with a big smile. On Tika day, he put tika on our foreheads and gave us jamara and blessings. The next day, my cousins and I climbed up to Gorkha Durbar and looked at the mountains. In the evenings, we played cards and flew kites from the roof. I was sad when the holidays ended, but I came home with lots of happy memories.

• b.A: What did your grandparents do yesterday afternoon? B: They ate ice cream yesterday afternoon.
• c.A: What did Sima do an hour ago? B: She sent a message an hour ago.
• d.A: What did Manu do five minutes ago? B: He washed his hands five minutes ago.
• e.A: What did Father do last night? B: He watched a football match last night.
• f.A: What did Lunibha do yesterday? B: She fed the cat yesterday.
• g.A: What did Kate and Tim do last weekend? B: They cleaned their room last weekend.

Last Saturday, my friend Prakriti invited me to her birthday party. It was held at her house in Thimi. Her parents organized it because she was turning sixteen. When I arrived, her cousins were decorating the room with balloons, and her mother was frying sel roti in the kitchen. I gave Prakriti a book of poems by Laxmi Prasad Devkota, and she gave every guest a small box of sweets. We sang, danced and cut a big chocolate cake. It was one of the best evenings of the year.

a – ii: The alarm went off while Trishna was sleeping.
b – i: As soon as the teacher asked the question, Brinda replied to her.
c – iv: I was doing my homework when the telephone rang.
d – v: When the doors were opened (or opened), the audience rushed into the stadium.
e – iii: When we woke (up), we saw the sun shining brightly.

• a.arrived, was preparing
• b.left, was, was drizzling
• c.booked, was, were standing, reached
• d.Were the children sleeping, reached
• e.happened, was walking, saw
• f.were traveling, was, had

• a.It began to snow while we were returning home.
• b.Kamal fell off while he was playing on the veranda.
• c.Amit was waiting for me when I reached the station.
• d.Simran took my photos while I wasn’t looking at the camera.
• e.What were you doing yesterday when I called you?
• f.I broke the glass while I was washing it.
• g.The teacher entered the class while some students were dancing in the class.
• h.I found the lost purse while I was cleaning the room.
• i.Dipisha finished her homework while her brother was watching TV. (Both were going on together, so while her brother watched TV is also fine; the past continuous stresses that it was in progress.)

From Panchayat to Multiparty Democracy
Nepal’s first elected government did not last long. On 1 Poush 2017 B.S. (15 December 1960), King Mahendra dismissed it, suspended parliament and jailed Prime Minister B. P. Koirala and his ministers. Three weeks later, on 22 Poush, political parties were banned and the king introduced the partyless Panchayat system, under which he held all real power. For the next two decades, people who opposed the system were often jailed or forced into exile.
The demand for freedom never disappeared. After student protests, King Birendra announced a referendum on 10 Jestha 2036, and on 20 Baishakh 2037 the people voted. The reformed Panchayat won narrowly, and the parties carried on their struggle. In 2042, they began a non-violent civil disobedience movement. Finally, on 7 Falgun 2046 (18 February 1990), the parties joined together to launch the People’s Movement. After weeks of protests, in which many people lost their lives, the king lifted the ban on political parties on 26 Chaitra 2046 (8 April 1990). Nepal’s multiparty democracy had been restored after almost thirty years.

Why History Matters
Some people say that history is a waste of time: the past is gone, and we should prepare for the future instead. I understand their point, since jobs need science, computers and languages. But I believe studying history is essential.
First, history explains the present. We cannot understand why Nepal has a federal constitution, why our borders lie where they do, or why people in different districts speak different languages without knowing what happened before.
Second, history teaches lessons. It shows how wars start, how democracies are won and lost, and how ordinary people have changed their countries. A nation that forgets its mistakes is likely to repeat them.
Third, history gives us identity and pride. The temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Malla kings’ inscriptions and the stories of our grandparents tell us who we are. Knowing them, we also learn to protect them.
Finally, history trains the mind: to ask where a story comes from, to compare sources and to tell legend from fact. Those skills are useful in every job.
In short, history is not about memorizing dates. It is about understanding ourselves, and that is never a waste of time.

a. aroma b. palette c. immensely d. fleeting e. procreation f. encapsulate g. aromatherapy h. repellent i. foreshadow

gift-giving, heartwarming, cardboard, flower-gifting, washed-out, break-up, lesser-known, fortune-telling, self-murmured, newly-wed, widespread, wedding dress, poppy seed. (Aromatherapy is also built from two parts, aroma + therapy.)

a. a pleasant aroma b. love and affection c. etiquette d. patriotism e. takes away good luck and talent (brings bad luck) f. loved ones g. yellow flowers h. medicinal i. death (and the couple’s split)

To show love and affection, and as a gesture of goodwill (to thank, welcome, or congratulate someone).

Happy and touched: “It is always heartwarming to receive flowers.”

The setting or occasion, guided by strict flower etiquette: flowers for romance differ from those for a visit to a home, a performance, a wedding or a funeral, and the flower’s color matters too.

The February Revolution of 1917, when the Bolsheviks’ red carnation badges became a symbol of resistance against the Provisional Government.

Yes: they believe that a white carnation under the pillow leaves you inspired when you wake the next morning.

In Russia, the red poppy symbolizes weakness and fleeting love, so giving one goes against the wish for a long, healthy relationship.

As a symbol of happiness for the married couple. (The seeds are also put in their shoes as a symbol of having children.)

Yes. Its white and yellow flowers are pretty, it is easy to grow in Nepal’s winter and spring, its dried flowers make a calming tea, and bees visit it. I would not expect it to cure illnesses, though.

White petals around a yellow center.

Chamomile and the lily of the valley.

The text doesn’t name a wedding flower. It says poppy seeds are eaten at traditional weddings (and put in the couple’s shoes), and that white calla lilies must not be taken to one. Answer with these two facts.

• Roses: Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries (red for love, yellow for friendship in many countries).
• Marigolds (sayapatri): garlands for Tihar, weddings and welcoming guests.
• Makhamali (globe amaranth): garlands for Bhai Tika.
• Lilies and chrysanthemums: funerals in many countries (in Japan and much of Europe chrysanthemums are for graves).
• Rhododendron (laliguras), Nepal’s national flower: given in spring and used to welcome guests in the hills.
• Orchids: a gift for teachers and guests of honor.
• Bouquets of mixed flowers: graduations, farewells, and to visit someone in hospital.

a. Gurkha b. 200 years c. May d. discipline e. five (more weeks: the report says “five weeks to go”) f. first

• a.The report goes back to 2015: the Gurkhas last provided the Queen’s Guard then, to mark 200 years of service to the British Crown (it began in 1815, after the Anglo-Nepal War). Answers with either fact are accepted.
• b.Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace (also St James’s Palace and the Tower of London).
• c.A khukuri, in place of a bayonet.
• d.About seven weeks: two weeks were over at the time of the report, with five to go before the inspection on 2 May. (Some answer keys give five weeks, the time still left.)
• e.They were proud of him.

• India: the Gorkha Rifles regiments of the Indian Army, which have many Nepali soldiers.
• Singapore: the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force.
• Brunei: the Gurkha Reserve Unit, and a British Army Gurkha battalion stationed there.
• The United Kingdom: the Brigade of Gurkhas, as in the report.

a. arrived b. had bought c. had conquered (by the age of 30 his empire ran from Greece to the edge of India) d. was waiting e. was washing f. knocked g. saved h. had had i. had left
In b, h and i, before already shows the order, so the past simple (bought, had, left) is also correct; the past perfect is the answer the exercise expects.

entered, put, had chosen, were, waited (or had waited), checked (or had checked), opened, snatched, ran, realized, had happened, checked, found, had taken, had left, cost

The Bat, the Birds and the Beasts
Long ago, a great quarrel broke out between the birds and the beasts, and both sides gathered their armies for battle.
The birds flew to the bat. “Come and fight with us,” they said. “You have wings.” But the bat was afraid. “I am a beast,” he said. “Look at my fur and my teeth.” So the birds left him alone.
Soon the beasts came. “Join us,” they said. “You have fur, like us.” The bat shook his head. “I am a bird,” he replied, spreading his wings. And the beasts went away.
Before any blood was shed, the two sides made peace. The birds sang and the beasts danced, and there was a great feast. The bat hurried to join the birds, but they turned on him. “You said you were a beast!” He flew to the beasts, but they bared their teeth. “You said you were a bird! Go, or we will tear you to pieces.”
The bat flew away into the dark, and ever since he has hidden by day and come out only at night.
Moral: Those who are loyal to no side end up with no friends.

The Owl and the Grasshopper
One warm summer afternoon an old owl was dozing when a grasshopper disturbed it with a very raspy song. The owl opened one eye. “Please be quiet,” she said politely. “I hunt all night and must sleep by day.”
“The day belongs to everyone,” the grasshopper replied rudely, and sang even louder. The owl asked again, and again the grasshopper laughed at her.
So the wise old owl tried another way. “Since I can’t sleep,” she said sweetly, “I may as well enjoy your music. You sing as beautifully as the god Apollo. And I have a little cup of nectar here, a drink fit only for the gods. Come up and taste it.”
The grasshopper was delighted by the praise. Without a second thought, he hopped up the tree to the owl’s branch. As soon as he was close enough, the owl snapped him up, and the afternoon was quiet once more.
Moral: Don’t let flattery make you forget to be careful.

• a.King Bhupatindra Malla.
• b.In 1702.
• c.Wrestlers.
• d.It was only slightly damaged in the great earthquake.
• e.Because of its broad base and wide steps.

a. visited b. arrived c. was telling d. had set e. were looking f. started g. had stopped

a. saw, was walking b. had already started c. were you doing (an action in progress at nine) d. died (with ago, past simple) e. was cooking

Changunarayan, on a hilltop in Bhaktapur, is said to be the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. The stone pillar in front of it was set up by the Licchavi king Manadeva in 464 A.D., and its inscription is the oldest dated one found in Nepal. The two-roofed temple we see today was rebuilt in 1702 after a fire. Its struts are carved with gods, and the courtyard is full of stone and metal sculptures. It is a World Heritage Site. It should be protected because it shows the skill of our ancestors over fifteen centuries, and once lost, it could never be replaced.