Exercise 6: Read the passage, and then decide whether the statements are true (T) or false
(F).
Chu Van An was born in 1292 and died in 1370. From his childhood, he was famous for
his intelligence. He did not have the dream of taking part in exams to become mandarins like
other students. Chu Van An stayed at home and taught himself by reading books, and opened schools. His school quickly became famous in the region and many students from other places
went there to study.
Emperor Tran Minh Tong invited Chu Van An to be the principal of the Imperial
Academy to teach his crown prince and other students to become talented people for the country.
In 1359, Emperor Tran Minh Tong gave his crown to his son, Tran Hien Tong, who was also a
student of Chu Van An. Under the regime of Emperor Tran Hien Tong, the court and the country
were peaceful. However, this period lasted only for 12 years. Then Emperor Tran Hien Tong
died, and Tran Du Tong inherited the crown. The social situation became complicated, the
people were very poor and hard and many good people were killed.
Chu Van An bravely submitted a petition which requested the Emperor to behead 7
perfidious mandarins, so it was called “Seven Beheaded Petition” (That Tram So). “Seven
Beheaded Petition” became the symbol of the courageous attitude of the real intellectuals, and
of Chu Van An’s spirit.

                                     Statement                                                                                TRUE                FALSE

1. Chu Van An was very intelligent and was taught by many good
teachers.

2. He opened a school and it quickly became famous.

3. Chu Van An was invited to become the principal of the Imperial
Academy by Emperor Tran Hien Tong.

4. Emperor Tran Hien Tong was also Chu Van An’s student.

5. Chu Van An was famous for “Seven Beheaded Petition”, a
symbol of the courageous attitude of the real intellectuals