🎯 Learning Objectives
- Read and comprehend an expository passage about the Floating Markets of Thailand
- Understand vocabulary related to trade and markets
- Use idioms with the word 'bargain' correctly
- Understand and use the PASSIVE VOICE without an agent
- Compare and contrast two types of places in descriptive writing
2.1 Warm Up — Types of Shops
| Type | Meaning |
|---|
| Kiosk | A small shop selling cigarettes, newspapers, or cold drinks |
| Showroom | A large shop in which goods for sale are displayed |
| Takeaway | A restaurant that cooks and sells food you can take away |
| Factory Outlet | A large store selling goods at a discounted price |
| Gold Souk | A market with many shops of gold under one roof |
| Bazaar | A market with many small shops (common in South Asia and Middle East) |
2.2 Reading — The Floating Markets of Thailand
📚 Background
'Talaat Naam' (Thai) = floating market. Thailand's famous river markets where farm produce and handicrafts are sold from boats.
Famous markets: Damnoen Saduak (daily), Taling Chan (weekends), Tha Kha, Bang Khu Wiang
Location: Rivers and canals of Thailand. Most popular: Ratchabury province, ~101 km from Bangkok.
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Structure | Made up of large clusters of WOODEN BOATS — boats serve as both sales counters and transport |
| Sellers | Women farmers from nearby areas — they paddle small boats to market at dawn |
| Dress | Women wear blue dress + flat-topped conical hats (traditional Thai farm attire) |
| Products (locals) | Tropical fruits, flowers, vegetables, grain, farm produce — traded by BARTER SYSTEM |
| Products (tourists) | Baskets, cane products, cloth, handmade items — sold for money (not barter) |
| Opening hours | As early as 4 AM. Vendors leave by noon, return next morning. |
| Cultural value | Give a glimpse of traditional Thai way of life |
Comprehension Answers:
| Question | Answer |
|---|
| Types of markets in India? | Posh multi-storied malls AND small weekly bazaars AND local shopping centres |
| How does local shopping centre serve people? | Has all daily necessities: green grocer, provisions, stationery, haircutting, dry cleaner, gift shop |
| How does Talaat Nam differ from other markets? | 1. Made of boats — no fixed shops. 2. Sellers are women farmers. 3. Uses barter system. |
| Who are the vendors? | Women farmers from nearby areas who paddle their own boats to the market |
| Damnoen Saduak vs Taling Chan? | Damnoen Saduak: open DAILY. Taling Chan: WEEKEND market only. |
2.3 Vocabulary — Market Words and Bargain Idioms
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| bargain for | To expect something (usually negative) | I had not bargained for freezing nights on our expedition. |
| drive a hard bargain | To negotiate very firmly to get the best deal | They are smart people and will drive a hard bargain over prices. |
| bargain away | To give up something valuable in a deal | By taking the job, he had bargained away his peace of mind. |
| in the bargain | In addition; as an extra benefit or drawback | Children learn from the internet and enjoy themselves in the bargain. |
2.4 Grammar — Passive Voice Without an Agent
📖 Active vs Passive
In an
ACTIVE sentence, the SUBJECT does the action.
In a
PASSIVE sentence, the SUBJECT RECEIVES the action.
From the passage:
'The boats are laden with the produce.' (The boats don't load themselves — the farmers load them, but the agent is not mentioned.)
| Tense | Formula | Example |
|---|
| Present Simple | is/are + past participle | These markets are called 'talaat naam'. |
| Past Simple | was/were + past participle | Many families were hit by the downsizing. |
| Present Perfect | has/have been + past participle | Many flyovers have been built. |
| Past Perfect | had been + past participle | Many houses had been rebuilt over the year. |
| Future | will be + past participle | The mistake shall be rectified. |
⚠️ When to Use Passive WITHOUT Agent
• When the doer is NOT KNOWN ('My pocket was picked')
• When there are MULTIPLE doers
• When we do NOT WANT to say who did it (legal/official language)
• In official language and announcements
Exercise Answers:
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|
| The letter ___ loudly for everyone's benefit. | The letter was loudly read out for everyone's benefit. |
| Many houses ___ (rebuild) and shops ___ (erect) over the year. | Many houses had been rebuilt and shops had been erected. |
| Preparations ___ (make) for the PM's visit. | Preparations are being made for the visit of the Prime Minister. |
| Her cake ___ (ruin) by the visiting monkeys. | Her lovely cake had been ruined by the visiting monkeys. |
| My pocket ___. | My pocket was picked and so I ended up buying nothing. |
| All officers ___ to attend the 6 PM meeting. | All officers are requested to attend the 6 p.m. meeting today. |
Practice Questions & Answers
Q1. What are the floating markets of Thailand? What makes them unique?
The floating markets (talaat naam) are river markets where farm produce and handicrafts are sold directly from wooden boats.
What makes them unique:
1. No fixed shops — boats serve as both sales counter and transport
2. Women farmers row their own boats to market at dawn
3. They use the BARTER SYSTEM (goods for goods) among locals
4. They open as early as 4 AM; vendors leave by noon
5. They provide a glimpse of traditional Thai rural life
Q2. What is the Passive Voice? When do we use it WITHOUT the agent?
PASSIVE VOICE: The subject RECEIVES the action. Formula: Subject + be + past participle.
We use PASSIVE without agent when:
1. The doer is NOT KNOWN ('My pocket was picked')
2. There are MULTIPLE doers
3. We do NOT WANT to say who did it (legal/official language)
Q3. Convert to passive voice: a) Farmers load the boats. b) The government has built many flyovers. c) Someone picked my pocket.
a) The boats are loaded with produce every morning.
b) Many flyovers have been built by the government.
c) My pocket was picked. (Agent 'by someone' dropped — we don't know who)
Q4. Explain the idiom 'bargain for'. Give 2 examples.
'BARGAIN FOR' = to expect or anticipate something, usually something unpleasant. Usually appears in negative form: 'had not bargained for' = didn't expect.
Examples:
1. 'I had not bargained for freezing nights on our expedition.' (I didn't expect the cold)
2. 'She had not bargained for the traffic being so bad.' (She didn't expect the delay)
Q5. What linking words would you use to compare a floating market to a modern mall?
For CONTRAST: Unlike the floating market, the mall is a fixed building. / Whereas the market uses the barter system, the mall takes cash. / On the other hand, the mall is air-conditioned while the market is in the open.
For COMPARISON: Like the floating market, the mall also sells fruits and vegetables. / Both markets have a variety of goods.
Q6. Give 4 passive voice sentences from the floating markets passage.
1. The boats are laden with the produce from nearby orchards. (Present Simple Passive)
2. These markets are called 'talaat naam' in Thai. (Present Simple Passive)
3. These are made up of large clusters of boats. (Present Simple Passive)
4. Efforts are being made to revive the old markets. (Present Continuous Passive)
Q7. What are polite shopping phrases? Give 5 examples.
1. 'Could I have some oranges, please?'
2. 'Have you got any slacks?'
3. 'May I have a glass of water, please?'
4. 'I'd like some red kite paper.'
5. 'Can I get five stamps for Egypt?'
Q8. Write passive sentences: a) Workers are rebuilding the road. b) Someone is making preparations for the PM's visit.
a) The road is being rebuilt (by workers).
b) Preparations are being made for the visit of the Prime Minister.
Q9. Compare a traditional market to a modern mall (using linking words).
Unlike the earlier market, this multiplex mall is a plush building. Whereas the market was spread out over a large piece of land, this mall rises up to many storeys. Like the market, it also sells daily requirements but at expensive prices. Unlike the humble market, this one boasts a posh building, modern gadgets, and sleek shops.
Q10. What is the barter system? Advantages and disadvantages?
BARTER SYSTEM = Trading goods for goods without money.
Advantages: No money needed; direct exchange; builds community relationships
Disadvantages: Both parties must want exactly what the other has; can't easily divide goods; hard to establish equal value
The floating markets use barter among local farmers but take money from tourists.
Let Us Sum Up — Quick Revision
- Floating Markets: Talaat naam — boats as shops, women farmers, 4AM opening, barter system
- Damnoen Saduak: Open DAILY | Taling Chan: Weekends only
- Passive Voice: Subject receives action. Use without agent when doer unknown/multiple/undisclosed.
- Bargain idioms: bargain for (expect), drive a hard bargain (negotiate firmly), in the bargain (as extra)
- Writing Comparison: Use as…as, like/unlike, while, whereas, on the other hand, contrastingly
- Shopping Phrases: 'Could I have...', 'Have you got...', 'May I have...', 'I'd like...'