The distinctive features of the traditional houses (tongkonan) of the Toraja are the “buffalo horns”, the roof design and the rich decoration on the walls. The buffalo is a symbol of status, courage, strength, and fighting spirit.

Which of the following does not symbolize a buffalo?

Designed as a representation of the universe, the tongkonan is constructed in three parts: the upper world (the roof), the world of humans (the middle of the building), and the underworld (the space under the floor). The highly distinctive roofs constructed by the Toraja have given rise to various ingenious interpretations. Certainly the roof is something of deep significance for the Toraja, and even today, they build “modern” (in other words houses built with cement) houses with such roofs.

The word "they" in "they build modern houses ..." refers to ...

Designed as a representation of the universe, the tongkonan is constructed in three parts: the upper world (the roof), the world of humans (the middle of the building), and the underworld (the space under the floor). The highly distinctive roofs constructed by the Toraja have given rise to various ingenious interpretations. Certainly the roof is something of deep significance for the Toraja, and even today, they build “modern” (in other words houses built with cement) houses with such roofs.

What can we conclude from the paragraph above?

The ethnic groups in the mountain regions of southwest and central Sulawesi (Celebes) are known by the name of Toraja, which has come to mean “those who live upstream” or “those who live in the mountains”. Their name is in fact derived from the word Raja, which in Sanskrit means “King”. The society is hierarchically structured: the noblemen are called reengage, the ordinary people to makaka, and the slaves to kaunan; birth determines which rank a person will occupy.

Based on the information mentioned in the paragraph above, if your parents are only ordinary people, which society would you belong to?

Raja Ampat or 'Four Kings', is the name given to some islands in West Papua and comes from a local myth. The four major islands are Waigeo, Misool (which is home to ancient rock painting), Salawati, and Batanta.

Where is Raja Ampat located?

Raja Ampat is located in the bird head of the island of Papua. Underwater enthusiasts flock to this region because it offers the world's best marine sight. In the Raja Ampat islands, divers can explore vertical underwater walls. The thrill of drift diving is another great challenge.

Why do many divers come to Raja Ampat?

The territory within the islands of the Four Kings is enormous, covering 9.8 million acres of land and sea, home to 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of coral fish and 700 types of mollusks. This makes it the most diverse living library for world's coral reef and underwater biota. According to a report developed by The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, around 75% of the world's species live here. When divers first arrive here their excitement is palpable. It's common to hear people praise God as they take in the remarkable scenery. Others prefer to remain in silence taking in the overwhelming sight of so many islands with crystal clear water that softly brushes over the white sandy beaches.

What does this paragraph discuss?

The territory within the islands of the Four Kings is enormous, covering 9.8 million acres of land and sea, home to 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of coral fish and 700 types of mollusks. This makes it the most diverse living library for world's coral reef and underwater biota. According to a report developed by The Nature Conservancy and Conservation International, around 75% of the world's species live here. When divers first arrive here their excitement is palpable. It's common to hear people praise God as they take in the remarkable scenery. Others prefer to remain in silence taking in the overwhelming sight of so many islands with crystal clear water that softly brushes over the white sandy beaches.

Why is Raja Ampat considered as the most diverse living library of underwater biota?

When divers first arrive here their excitement is palpable. It's common to hear people praise God as they take in the remarkable scenery.

The word palpable is synonymous with ...