10/08/2026
# Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is one of the most famous historical and religious monuments in the world. It is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and is an important symbol of Cambodian culture and national identity. King Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. Later, it gradually became a Buddhist temple.
Angkor Wat is famous for its enormous size, beautiful architecture, and detailed stone carvings. The temple is surrounded by a large moat and has five impressive towers that represent Mount Meru, the sacred mountain in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The walls of the temple are decorated with thousands of beautiful sculptures and bas-reliefs. These carvings show stories from Hindu mythology, historical events, and scenes from ancient Khmer life.
Angkor Wat is also an important example of the achievements of the ancient Khmer civilization. Its sophisticated design demonstrates the advanced knowledge of architecture, engineering, art, and water management possessed by the Khmer people.
Today, millions of visitors come to Angkor Wat every year to admire its beauty and learn about Cambodia's history. The temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and appears on the Cambodian national flag.
Angkor Wat is more than an ancient building. It represents Cambodia's rich history, cultural heritage, and the remarkable achievements of the Khmer civilization. It is a national treasure that should be protected and preserved for future generations.
# TOEFL Reading Practice: Angkor Wat
**Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1–15.**
**Level: TOEFL Junior / Intermediate**
# # # Questions
**1. What is the main purpose of the passage?**
A. To explain why Siem Reap is popular with tourists
B. To describe the history, features, and importance of Angkor Wat
C. To compare Hindu and Buddhist temples
D. To explain how the Cambodian national flag was designed
**2. Where is Angkor Wat located?**
A. Phnom Penh
B. Battambang
C. Siem Reap
D. Sihanoukville
**3. Who built Angkor Wat?**
A. King Jayavarman VII
B. King Suryavarman II
C. King Norodom
D. King Yasovarman I
**4. When was Angkor Wat built?**
A. In the 9th century
B. In the 10th century
C. In the early 12th century
D. In the 15th century
**5. What was Angkor Wat originally built as?**
A. A Buddhist school
B. A royal palace
C. A Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu
D. A military fortress
**6. According to the passage, what happened to Angkor Wat later?**
A. It became a museum.
B. It gradually became a Buddhist temple.
C. It was destroyed by a war.
D. It became a royal residence.
**7. Why are the five towers of Angkor Wat significant?**
A. They represent five ancient Khmer kings.
B. They represent five important cities.
C. They represent Mount Meru.
D. They represent the five rivers of Cambodia.
**8. The word “enormous” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:**
A. ancient
B. beautiful
C. extremely large
D. carefully designed
**9. What can visitors see on the walls of Angkor Wat?**
A. Modern paintings
B. Thousands of sculptures and bas-reliefs
C. Maps of modern Cambodia
D. Photographs of ancient kings
**10. According to the passage, what do the carvings show?**
A. Only religious stories
B. Only battles between ancient kings
C. Hindu mythology, historical events, and ancient Khmer life
D. Modern Cambodian traditions
**11. What does the phrase “sophisticated design” in paragraph 3 suggest?**
A. The design was simple and inexpensive.
B. The design was highly developed and advanced.
C. The design was copied from modern buildings.
D. The design was created recently.
**12. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an area of knowledge demonstrated by Angkor Wat?**
A. Architecture
B. Engineering
C. Water management
D. Astronomy
**13. Why do millions of visitors come to Angkor Wat today?**
A. To live near the temple
B. To study modern architecture
C. To admire its beauty and learn about Cambodia's history
D. To attend Buddhist ceremonies only
**14. What does the passage imply about Angkor Wat's importance to Cambodia?**
A. It is mainly important because it attracts tourists.
B. It is an important symbol of Cambodian history and cultural heritage.
C. It is no longer important to Cambodian people.
D. It is important only to historians.
**15. What does the author suggest about the future of Angkor Wat?**
A. It should be replaced by a modern building.
B. It should be protected and preserved for future generations.
C. It should be closed permanently to visitors.
D. It should be changed into a museum.
