Listen Up: South Korean parents turn to religion during ‘Suneung’ exam
Practise your English with our short listening exercises: play the audio, answer the questions, and check the answers at the bottom of the page.
South Korean parents turn to prayer and rituals for their children’s success on the ”Suneung” exam. Photo: EPA-EFEQuestions
1. Who are the parents mentioned in the podcast praying for?
A. their children
B. their friends
C. their students
D. themselves
2. If you are “obsessed” with something, you …
A. dislike it very much.
B. think it is very boring.
C. think about it all the time.
D. do not care much about it.
3. What measure is taken by officials to help students during the Suneung exam?
A. closing all restaurants
B. cancelling public transportation
C. blocking all roads
D. rescheduling flights
4. How long did the prayer session in Gangnam district last?
A. six hours
B. nine hours
C. half a day
D. three days
5. What is the format of the Suneung university entrance exam?
A. mainly multiple-choice questions
B. written essays
C. an oral exam and a practical test
D. a mix of everything
6. How many candidates took this year’s university entrance exam?
A. 502,670
B. 520,600
C. 522,670
D. 562,000
7. What is the first section of the exam?
A. Korean
B. English
C. science
D. mathematics
8. What did the parents pray for during the mathematics section of the exam?
A. challenging questions
B. creative problem-solving
C. logical thinking
D. none of the above
9. How long has pastor Lee been holding Suneung prayer sessions?
A. about one year
B. less than five years
C. exactly 10 years
D. more than 10 years
10. According to pastor Han, what did many parents do during the prayer session?
A. They called their children.
B. They cried.
C. They took notes.
D. all of the above
11. Based on your understanding of the question, which word can replace “equanimity”?
A. anger
B. excitement
C. calmness
D. joy
12. What is the significance of bowing 108 times in Buddhism?
A. It grants wishes.
B. It chases bad luck away.
C. It purifies the mind.
D. It is a way to show respect to the Buddha.
13. What do parents do if they cannot attend the prayer sessions in person?
A. They listen to a podcast.
B. They watch the sessions online.
C. They read a prayer book.
D. They meditate at home.
14. What did Yoido Full Gospel Church do during the exam?
A. They held a silent prayer.
B. They organised a study session for parents.
C. They analysed the exam questions.
D. They streamed a live event on YouTube.
15. What do parents do if they donate to BTN?
A. They receive a special amulet for good luck.
B. They get a special blessing from a monk.
C. Their child’s name and wishes are shown on TV.
D. Their child gets a chance to ring the temple bell.
Answers
1. A
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. A
6. C
7. A
8. D
9. D
10. B
11. C
12. A
13. B
14. D
15. C
Script
Adapted from Agence France-Presse
Voice 1: South Korean parents turned to religion as students sat a crucial exam last month, with some praying in a nine-hour session and others bowing 108 times at a Buddhist altar. The Suneung university entrance exam is a major event in the country, and officials take extreme measures to ensure students can give their best performance, from slowing traffic and rescheduling flights to pausing construction.
Voice 2: At a church in Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district, parents gathered for a nine-hour prayer marathon, with specific requests to God tailored around the structure of the multiple choice exam, which was taken by 522,670 pupils this year. For the first section – Korean language – priests prayed for students to read clearly, and when it moved to maths, parents asked God for their children to perform smooth calculations.
Voice 1: At a church on the outskirts of Seoul, pastor Han Seung-woo was leading a prayer session for hundreds of parents. Many wept as he asked God to bless their test-taking offspring with “wisdom and courage”. Pastor Lee Chan-soo, who has held “Suneung prayer sessions” since 1992, said he tried to use the sessions to prepare parents to face any exam disappointments with equanimity.
Voice 2: At the Bongeunsa Buddhist temple, one of Seoul’s largest, head monk, Wonmyung, was trying to comfort parents, who were performing rituals to help their children. Some parents bowed 108 times before the altar – which in Buddhist theology should result in their wishes coming true. Wonmyung said it was all about praying so that the students have peace and calm.
Voice 1: For parents unable to pray in person, many churches and temples streamed live sessions on YouTube. Yoido Full Gospel Church, one of the largest churches in South Korea with about 480,000 members, held a YouTube live for the entire duration of the exam, featuring gospel songs and the faithful speaking in tongues.
Voice 2: BTN, South Korea’s largest Buddhist television channel, broadcasted chants that parents could join from home. If parents donated, their hopes for their child’s exam results and the student’s name scrolled across the screen.