A/ READING TEXT

The Temple of Literature, called Văn Miếu in Vietnamese, was built in 1070 by Emperor Lý Thánh Tông in Hanoi. This place honors Confucius and scholars.

The Temple of Literature was originally made as a place of study for crown princes. In 1076, Emperor Lý Nhân Tông started the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám) here, becoming a royal university for royal descendants and the sons of mandarins, who were important government officials. It was considered the first university in Vietnam.

The area has courtyards, ponds, and pavilions with lovely gardens and old trees. One important part is the stone steles on the backs of turtles. These steles have the names and birthplaces of the students who passed the royal exams. In Vietnam, turtles stand for long life and wisdom.

Today, the Temple of Literature is a famous tourist spot and shows Vietnam’s rich educational history. Students also come here to pray for good luck in their studies, especially during exams.

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the Temple of Literature called in Vietnamese?

   a) Quốc Tử Giám

   b) Văn Miếu

   c) Lý Thánh Tông

   d) Imperial Academy

2. Who built the Temple of Literature in 1070?

   a) Emperor Lý Nhân Tông

   b) Emperor Lý Thánh Tông

   c) Confucius

   d) The mandarins

3. What does the Temple of Literature honor?

   a) Soldiers and warriors

   b) Artists and musicians

   c) Confucius and scholars

   d) Farmers and craftsmen

4. What is significant about the stone steles at the Temple of Literature?

   a) They contain poems and stories

   b) They have names and birthplaces of students who passed the royal exams

   c) They mark the graves of emperors

   d) They describe historical battles

5. What do turtles represent in Vietnam?

   a) Strength and bravery

   b) Wealth and power

   c) Long life and wisdom

   d) Beauty and grace

TRUE/FALSE Questions:

1. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 by Emperor Lý Thánh Tông. (TRUE/ FALSE)

2. The Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám) was started in 1076 by Emperor Lý Nhân Tông. (TRUE/ FALSE)

3. The Temple of Literature was made to teach the sons of farmers. (TRUE/ FALSE)

4. The stone steles at the Temple of Literature are on the backs of turtles. (TRUE/ FALSE)

5. Today, the Temple of Literature is mostly abandoned and not visited by tourists.

(TRUE/ FALSE)