Reading Skill outside the classroom ( June 14 2013 week 2)

Reading  Skill

City cycle

Lakeside trail offers urban adventure

By Pongpet Mekloy
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post

Bangkok is notorious for traffic congestion, and Srinakarin Road is cursed with some of the city’s worst jams. But don’t think that life is always miserable for those living in the area. On the southern part of Srinakarin Road lies a calm oasis of greenery and a big lake.

Known as Nong Bon, the man-made lake is part of His Majesty the King’s initiative to prevent flooding in that part of the capital.

URBAN OASIS

There is a road running along the water’s edge that’s shared by bikers and joggers who frequent the Nong Bon Lake for daily exercise. It’s a pity the road doesn’t go all around the lake but covers only three-quarters of its circumference. But what is available, 2 kilometres or so of well-paved surface with very few cars, is decent enough for daily or weekend cycling.

Then there’s the scenery. Apart from the road around the lake, there are also side roads that run along the length of the narrow, tree-covered strips of land that partition the lake.

OFF-ROAD FUN

For the more adventurous, a variety of obstacles are on the roadside for them to hone their mountain-biking skills, from roots and ruts to moderate drop-offs. After the ride, you can work out selected muscles at the many open-air exercise stations next to the car park and the water sports centre.

If you visit the lake in the evening, make sure you don't leave too early because this place boasts one of Bangkok’s most beautiful sunsets.

Vocabulary	Pronunciation	Meaning
1.notorious (adj)	/nə(ʊ)ˈtɔːrɪəs/	-ซึ่งมีชื่อเสียงในทางที่ไม่ดี -well known for being bad Ex: Los Angeles is notorious for its smog
2. congestion (n)	/kənˈdʒɛstʃ(ə)n/	-ความแออัด -the state of being crowded; full of vehicles or traffic Ex: the new bridge should ease congestion in the area
3. oasis (n)	/əʊˈeɪsɪs/	-บริเวณอุดมสมบูรณ์ในทะเลทราย - a pleasant place or period of time in the middle of something unpleasant or difficult Ex: the park is an oasis of calm in the centre of the city
4. partition (v)	/pɑːˈtɪʃ(ə)n/	-การแบ่งแยก -to divide something into two or more parts Ex: partition off part of a large bedroom to create a small bathroom
5.hone (v)	/həʊn/	-หินลับมีด -to develop and improve something, especially a skill, over a period of time Ex: their appetites were honed by fresh air and exercise