📝 Unit 3: Great Lanka
Articles a/an/the · comparatives · Sri Lankan heritage · data sheet · 200-word article
Task 1 — Articles fill-in (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in each blank with <b>a</b>, <b>an</b>, <b>the</b>, or
nothing (—) where no article is needed.
(1) ........... Sigiriya is one of ........... most spectacular ancient sites in Sri Lanka.
(2) We saw ........... elephant at the temple yesterday.
(3) Mr Perera is ........... university lecturer at the University of Colombo.
(4) ........... sun rises in ........... east.
(5) Have you ever swum in ........... Indian Ocean?
nothing (—) where no article is needed.
(1) ........... Sigiriya is one of ........... most spectacular ancient sites in Sri Lanka.
(2) We saw ........... elephant at the temple yesterday.
(3) Mr Perera is ........... university lecturer at the University of Colombo.
(4) ........... sun rises in ........... east.
(5) Have you ever swum in ........... Indian Ocean?
(1) — , the
(2) an
(3) a
(4) The , the
(5) the
5 marks.
(2) an
(3) a
(4) The , the
(5) the
5 marks.
Task 2 — Comparatives & superlatives (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Complete each sentence using the comparative or superlative of
the adjective in brackets.
(1) Polonnaruwa is (old) ........... than Kandy but younger than Anuradhapura.
(2) Adam's Peak is (sacred) ........... mountain in Sri Lanka.
(3) String hoppers are (delicious) ........... than rotti, in my opinion.
(4) Mirissa is (beautiful) ........... beach I have ever seen.
(5) Bus travel is (cheap) ........... than train travel.
the adjective in brackets.
(1) Polonnaruwa is (old) ........... than Kandy but younger than Anuradhapura.
(2) Adam's Peak is (sacred) ........... mountain in Sri Lanka.
(3) String hoppers are (delicious) ........... than rotti, in my opinion.
(4) Mirissa is (beautiful) ........... beach I have ever seen.
(5) Bus travel is (cheap) ........... than train travel.
(1) older
(2) the most sacred
(3) more delicious
(4) the most beautiful
(5) cheaper
5 marks.
(2) the most sacred
(3) more delicious
(4) the most beautiful
(5) cheaper
5 marks.
Task 3 — Text to data sheet (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the text and complete the data sheet.
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, located in the south-west of Sri Lanka, was
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Covering 11,187 hectares, it
is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. The reserve
is home to 60% of Sri Lanka's endemic trees and 50% of its endemic birds. The
best months to visit are January to April and August to September, when
rainfall is at its lowest. Entry is via the village of Kudawa, where local
guides are available for a small fee.
Data sheet
(1) Location: ...........
(2) UNESCO listing year: ...........
(3) Total area: ...........
(4) Best months to visit: ...........
(5) Entry village: ...........
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, located in the south-west of Sri Lanka, was
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Covering 11,187 hectares, it
is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. The reserve
is home to 60% of Sri Lanka's endemic trees and 50% of its endemic birds. The
best months to visit are January to April and August to September, when
rainfall is at its lowest. Entry is via the village of Kudawa, where local
guides are available for a small fee.
Data sheet
(1) Location: ...........
(2) UNESCO listing year: ...........
(3) Total area: ...........
(4) Best months to visit: ...........
(5) Entry village: ...........
(1) South-west of Sri Lanka
(2) 1988
(3) 11,187 hectares
(4) January–April and August–September
(5) Kudawa
5 marks.
(2) 1988
(3) 11,187 hectares
(4) January–April and August–September
(5) Kudawa
5 marks.
Task 4 — Synonyms (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Replace each underlined word with a word from the box.
Box: ancient · attractions · destinations · located · prevails · tourists
(1) Anuradhapura is one of the OLDEST cities in Sri Lanka.
(2) Polonnaruwa is SITUATED in the North Central Province.
(3) Dry weather EXISTS in the cultural triangle most of the year.
(4) These cities are famous TOURIST PLACES.
(5) Many VISITORS come every year.
Box: ancient · attractions · destinations · located · prevails · tourists
(1) Anuradhapura is one of the OLDEST cities in Sri Lanka.
(2) Polonnaruwa is SITUATED in the North Central Province.
(3) Dry weather EXISTS in the cultural triangle most of the year.
(4) These cities are famous TOURIST PLACES.
(5) Many VISITORS come every year.
(1) ancient
(2) located
(3) prevails
(4) destinations (or attractions)
(5) tourists
5 marks.
(2) located
(3) prevails
(4) destinations (or attractions)
(5) tourists
5 marks.
Task 5 — Comprehension: Sigiriya (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the description of Sigiriya (above) and answer the questions.
(1) How high is Sigiriya rock?
(2) In which district is it located?
(3) Who built the palace on top, and in which century?
(4) What is the 'mirror wall' famous for?
(5) Underline the correct title for the description:
(a) A simple climb in the dry zone.
(b) Sigiriya — the Lion Rock that holds 1,500-year-old graffiti.
(c) The history of King Kashyapa's father.
(1) How high is Sigiriya rock?
(2) In which district is it located?
(3) Who built the palace on top, and in which century?
(4) What is the 'mirror wall' famous for?
(5) Underline the correct title for the description:
(a) A simple climb in the dry zone.
(b) Sigiriya — the Lion Rock that holds 1,500-year-old graffiti.
(c) The history of King Kashyapa's father.
(1) 200 metres.
(2) Matale District.
(3) King Kashyapa, in the 5th century AD.
(4) Its 1,500-year-old graffiti.
(5) (b) Sigiriya — the Lion Rock that holds 1,500-year-old graffiti.
5 marks.
(2) Matale District.
(3) King Kashyapa, in the 5th century AD.
(4) Its 1,500-year-old graffiti.
(5) (b) Sigiriya — the Lion Rock that holds 1,500-year-old graffiti.
5 marks.
Task 6 — Notice: a Sri Lanka heritage exhibition (40–50 words)
(5 marks)
You are the secretary of the History Society. Write a notice
inviting students to a heritage photo exhibition. Use about 40–50 words.
inviting students to a heritage photo exhibition. Use about 40–50 words.
HISTORY SOCIETY — 'GREAT LANKA' PHOTO EXHIBITION
All Grade 9 to 11 students are warmly invited to a photo exhibition titled
'Great Lanka — Eight UNESCO Treasures' on Wednesday, 5th May 2027 from
9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. in the school auditorium. Entry is free. Each visitor
receives a heritage bookmark.
— Secretary.
47 words. 5 marks.
All Grade 9 to 11 students are warmly invited to a photo exhibition titled
'Great Lanka — Eight UNESCO Treasures' on Wednesday, 5th May 2027 from
9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. in the school auditorium. Entry is free. Each visitor
receives a heritage bookmark.
— Secretary.
47 words. 5 marks.
Task 7 — Short paragraph (50–60 words)
(5 marks)
Write a paragraph on ONE of the following. Use about 50–60 words.
(a) The most beautiful place in Sri Lanka I have visited
(b) Why I am proud to be Sri Lankan
(c) A historical place every Sri Lankan should see
(a) The most beautiful place in Sri Lanka I have visited
(b) Why I am proud to be Sri Lankan
(c) A historical place every Sri Lankan should see
MODEL — The most beautiful place I have visited (60 words)
The most beautiful place I have ever visited is the Galle Fort. The Dutch
built the ramparts in the 17th century, and four hundred years later, you
can still walk along them at sunset. The waves crash thirty metres below,
the air smells of frangipani, and a hundred lanterns slowly come on in the
old cobblestone streets behind you.
5 marks.
The most beautiful place I have ever visited is the Galle Fort. The Dutch
built the ramparts in the 17th century, and four hundred years later, you
can still walk along them at sunset. The waves crash thirty metres below,
the air smells of frangipani, and a hundred lanterns slowly come on in the
old cobblestone streets behind you.
5 marks.
Task 8 — Description / letter (~100 words, 10 marks)
(10 marks)
Answer (a) OR (b). Use about 100 words.
(a) Write a letter inviting a friend abroad to visit Sri Lanka. Include: best
season, ONE historical place, ONE natural place, ONE food they must try.
(b) Write a 100-word description of Polonnaruwa for a school magazine.
Include: location, century built, two main attractions, why it is famous.
(a) Write a letter inviting a friend abroad to visit Sri Lanka. Include: best
season, ONE historical place, ONE natural place, ONE food they must try.
(b) Write a 100-word description of Polonnaruwa for a school magazine.
Include: location, century built, two main attractions, why it is famous.
(b) MODEL — Polonnaruwa (110 words)
Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka, lies 216 km north-east
of Colombo in the North Central Province. King Vijayabahu I made it the new
capital in the 11th century AD after the fall of Anuradhapura. The city
reached its glory under King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Two
attractions stand out for any visitor. First, the Gal Vihara — four colossal
Buddha statues carved into a single granite face. Second, the Parakrama
Samudra, a vast man-made reservoir that still irrigates the surrounding
paddy fields. Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heartland
of medieval Sri Lankan engineering.
10 marks.
Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka, lies 216 km north-east
of Colombo in the North Central Province. King Vijayabahu I made it the new
capital in the 11th century AD after the fall of Anuradhapura. The city
reached its glory under King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Two
attractions stand out for any visitor. First, the Gal Vihara — four colossal
Buddha statues carved into a single granite face. Second, the Parakrama
Samudra, a vast man-made reservoir that still irrigates the surrounding
paddy fields. Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heartland
of medieval Sri Lankan engineering.
10 marks.
Task 9 — Article (~200 words, 15 marks)
(15 marks)
Write on ONE of the following. Use about 200 words.
(a) An article: 'Discovering Sri Lanka by ourselves'.
(b) A speech on 'Why we must protect our heritage sites'.
(c) An essay on 'Sri Lanka — the pearl of the Indian Ocean'.
(a) An article: 'Discovering Sri Lanka by ourselves'.
(b) A speech on 'Why we must protect our heritage sites'.
(c) An essay on 'Sri Lanka — the pearl of the Indian Ocean'.
(c) MODEL — Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean (212 words)
Named by Marco Polo 'the finest island of its size in the world', Sri Lanka
has worn the title 'pearl of the Indian Ocean' for seven centuries — and
the truth is hidden behind that pretty phrase.
Firstly, we are unusually rich in nature. Five climate zones, two monsoons
and 65,610 square kilometres of land sustain elephants, leopards, blue
whales, more than 400 bird species and the world's only known living
descendant of the Buddha tree. No island the size of Ireland matches that.
Secondly, we are rich in culture. Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites — from
the 5th-century Sigiriya frescoes to the 16th-century Galle Fort — sit on a
single bus map. Three of the world's great religions live next door to one
another on Galle Road.
Thirdly, we are rich in people. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers
speak two official languages plus a friendly English. The 'smile' that
tourists notice first is not a slogan; it is a real national habit.
But a pearl needs an oyster to keep it polished. We are losing forests,
defacing temples, throwing plastic into the ocean. If we do not protect
our pearl, no future generation will see it shine.
15 marks.
Named by Marco Polo 'the finest island of its size in the world', Sri Lanka
has worn the title 'pearl of the Indian Ocean' for seven centuries — and
the truth is hidden behind that pretty phrase.
Firstly, we are unusually rich in nature. Five climate zones, two monsoons
and 65,610 square kilometres of land sustain elephants, leopards, blue
whales, more than 400 bird species and the world's only known living
descendant of the Buddha tree. No island the size of Ireland matches that.
Secondly, we are rich in culture. Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites — from
the 5th-century Sigiriya frescoes to the 16th-century Galle Fort — sit on a
single bus map. Three of the world's great religions live next door to one
another on Galle Road.
Thirdly, we are rich in people. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burghers
speak two official languages plus a friendly English. The 'smile' that
tourists notice first is not a slogan; it is a real national habit.
But a pearl needs an oyster to keep it polished. We are losing forests,
defacing temples, throwing plastic into the ocean. If we do not protect
our pearl, no future generation will see it shine.
15 marks.