Literacy Test “Cambodian Identity”

Name: Venghour Than Date:26/08/3006

Read the following article then write a short response below.

Cambodian Identity
The people of Cambodia generally identify as Khmers, although how this term is understood greatly differs between people and groups. “Khmer” is an identity based upon ethnicity, language, and religion above all else. The ethnic Khmers are generally Buddhist in a country with over 90% of the population identifying as Buddhist. However, today many people struggle to define this identity as Khmer in more detail. The past of Cambodia has been one that many people feel ashamed of as they seek a new path in the future. Due to past of violence, takeovers, and civil wars, many people are attempting to redefine Khmer to exclude politics and magnify culture. But there is no consensus on this direction or even what aspects of the culture should be defined. Oddly, most ethnic minorities in the country actually shift the other direction and identify as Khmers as they know identifying as Khmer will get them more opportunities in the country, even if they are not ethnic Khmers; this is leading to a slow loss of minority languages and cultures in Cambodia. So, generally speaking, most people identify as being “Khmer,” but how this term is defined differs wildly from individual to individual or from group to group.

Your short response paragraph should include:

The central idea clearly stated
Quotes correctly used as evidence
Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation with a FOCUS on correct use of plurals and verb conjugation
Transition words or phrases used when necessary

Venghour:

Cambodians have a struggle of the identities of the term “Khmer” so there are many perspective of people are defining the term in the different ways. Many people are having a conflict on the definition and identities of the term, Khmer because of the changing of the country overtime. The quote states “However, today many people struggle to define this identity as Khmer in more detail.” This clearly shows that Cambodians are truly stuck on the defining and identities of this term. Also, it’s because of the past of the country like civil wars, violence and takeovers. Although many people are having a problem with this term, but there are many people are thinking and concentrating on the definition of the term differently. The quote of the article says “There is no consensus on this direction or even what aspects of the culture should be defined.” This means, there is no an agreement on the definition should be. So, for some people think that Khmer is an identity based on the language, ethnicity and religion. Strangely, for the ethnic minorities think that identity as a Khmer will give them a lot of opportunities. Therefore, Cambodians are having a problem on this complex term and making people think the identities and definition differently.

Excellent work, Venghour!

Central idea – 1 point
Details – 2 points
Grammar – 1 point
Transitions – 1 point

You clearly understand how to identify the main idea and use quotes as supporting details. Your language (grammar and transitions ) is well done here. Good work.

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