DESCRIPTIVE TEXT ABOUT PLACE
The Borobudur Temple
Borobudur
is Hindu – Budhist temple. It was build in the nineth century under Sailendra
dynasty of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central
Java, Indonesia.
Borobudur
is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta
architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and
consist of eight step like stone terrace. The first five terrace are square and
surrounded by walls adorned with Budist sculpture in bas-relief. The upper
three are circular.
Each
of them is with a circle of bell shape-stupa. The entire adifice is crowned by
a large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle. The way to the
summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and starways. The design of
borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe influences temples at
Angkor, Cambodia. Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian
monument in 1983 is a valuable treasure for Indonesian people.
The
Borobudur Temple
Indonesia has many ancient things especially the remains of the
pre-historic period, for example : tombs, temples, and fortesses. The Borobudur
temple is one of the historical remains in Sriwijaya era. Its king was
Samaratungga. It was built about in 850 B.C. King Samaratungga was descendant
from King Sailendra embraced Buddha.
The temples of Budha located in Magelang among others are Mendut,
Pawon, and Borobudur. This Borobudur is the biggest and the most magnificent
among all the temples. Several descendants, idest: Dieng, Gebang, Sambisari,
and Prambanan. Generally the temples in Indonesia were the tomb of the King
families, but the temples were built by The King embraced Budhism used for the
worship. The attractive power of temples are not only the beauty , but also the
ornaments decorated on them, a lot of the relief on the walls including the
statues. The statue were made of rock and bronze.
Nowadays most of the bronze statues were lost. We can find the
relief although some of the parts got damage. Thus the goverment has
rehabilitated them to preserve the temples, the attraction and their beauty. The
temples have become the income resources out of the oil and gas, because many
foreign and domestic tourist visit them.
The Prambanan Temple
Prambanan is the largest
Hindu temple compound in Central Java in Indonesia, located approximately 18 km
east of Yogyakarta. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of
the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia. It is characterised by its tall
and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m
high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.
It was built around 850
CE by either Rakai Pikatan, king of the second Mataram dynasty, or Balitung
Maha Sambu, during the Sanjaya Dynasty. Not long after its construction, the
temple was abandoned and began to deteriorate. Reconstruction of the compound
began in 1918. The main building was completed in around 1953. Much of the
original stonework has been stolen and reused at remote construction sites. A
temple will only be rebuilt if at least 75% of the original stones are
available, and therefore only the foundation walls of most of the smaller
shrines are now visible and with no plans for their reconstruction.
The temple was damaged
during the earthquake in Java in 2006. Early photos suggest that although the
complex appears to be structurally intact, damage is significant. Large pieces
of debris, including carvings, were scattered over the ground. The temple has
been closed to the public until damage can be fully assessed. The head of
Yogyakarta Archaeological Conservation Agency stated that: “it will take months
to identify the precise damage”. However, some weeks later in 2006 the site
re-opened for visitors. The immediate surroundings of the Hindu temples remain
off-limits for safety reasons.
The
Prambanan Temple
Prambanan is a
stunningly beautiful building built in the
10th century during the reign of two kings, and Rakai
Rakai Pikatan balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur
temple),the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the
desire, to show Hindu triumph in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers
from the city center, in the middle area that is now a beautiful park.
There is a legend that
Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung
Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso
make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled
when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to make a big fire that
created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make the 999 statues
cursed Jonggrang into the statue-1000 because he felt cheated.
Prambanan temple has
three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. The
third temple is the symbol of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All three temples were
facing east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west,
namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition,
there are two temples wedge, four of the temple curtain, and 4 corner temples.
Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.
Taj
Mahal, Agra, India
Taj
Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world, and some Western
historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed.
The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers
of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning
architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and
sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy
morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from
across the Jamuna river.
Taj
Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666
C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at
Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an
expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a
Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The
grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand
Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family
were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in
their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's
real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before
ascending to the throne in 1628.
Taj
Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty
thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million
Rupees. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad
‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain
names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their
origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed.
In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara
worked on many specialized tasks.
The
Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners
truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking
arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and
perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of
self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements.
Its
central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet.
It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. The four graceful, slender
minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside)
is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems
such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the
Holy Qur’an and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating
charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers
include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.
The
mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an
elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several
other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with
the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four
reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is
further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four
sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on
their own and also constituting the whole.
DESCRIPTIVE TEXT ABOUT ANIMAL
The African Elephant
The African Elephant is described as the Loxodonta africana of
Africa. They are very large, grey, four-legged herbivorous mammals. They have
almost hairless skin, a distinctive long, flexible, prehensile trunk. Its upper
incisors form long curved tusks of ivory. African elephants have large fan-shaped
ears and two “fingers” at the tip of its trunk, compared to only one in the
Asian species. Furthermore, the Indian Elephant is described as Elephas maximus
of south-central Asia. The ears of Indian elephants are significantly smaller
than African elephants.
Elephants are herbivores and eat all types of vegetation such as
grasses, leaves, fruits, and bark. The facts tell that despite the size of
ears the elephant’s hearing is poor, because elephants ears are used to aid
ventilation. One of the softest parts of their body is at the back of the ears,
which is called the knuckle. In a zoo, elephant trainers, called Mahouts, use
their feet to steer or give commands to the animal via the knuckle at the back
of the ears.
Some other facts about the elephants are : The elephant is the
largest of all land mammals; Life Span - elephants can live for up to 70 years;
Elephants normally walk about 4 mph; Elephants are able to swim for long
distances; Elephants spend about 16 hours a day eating; They consume as much as
495 pounds of food per day; They live in tight social units led by an older
matriarch; Males leave the herd between the ages of 12 and 15; Their tusks are
of ivory and are actually enormously enlarged incisors; The elephant's eyes are
small and its eyesight is poor, They have the largest brains in the animal
kingdom.
The African Lion
Lions are the only
cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Prides are family units that
may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a
pride's lionesses are related, and female cubs typically stay with the group as
they age. Young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking
over a group headed by another male.
Only male lions boast
manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males
defend the pride's territory, which may include some 100 square miles (259
square kilometers) of grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands. These intimidating
animals mark the area with urine, roar menacingly to warn intruders, and chase
off animals that encroach on their turf.
Female lions are the
pride's primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon antelopes,
zebras, wildebeest, and other large animals of the open grasslands. Many of
these animals are faster than lions, so teamwork pays off.
After the hunt, the
group effort often degenerates to squabbling over the sharing of the kill, with
cubs at the bottom of the pecking order. Young lions do not help to hunt until
they are about a year old. Lions will hunt alone if the opportunity presents
itself, and they also steal kills from hyenas or wild dogs.
Lions have been
celebrated throughout history for their courage and strength. They once roamed
most of Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. Today they are found only in parts
of sub-Saharan Africa, except for one very small population of Asian lions that
survives in India's Gir Forest.
DESCRIPTIVE ABOUT
PERSON
David Beckham
David Beckham is one of Britain's most
iconic athletes whose name is also an elite global advertising brand. He was
captain of the English national team from 2000 to 2006, scored in three
different FIFA World Cups, and played midfield for clubs in Manchester,
England, Madrid, Spain, and Milan, Italy; he also won the MLS Cup playing for
Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011.
He was born David Robert Joseph Beckham on
May 2, 1975, in Leytonstone, East London, England, son of Ted Beckham, a
kitchen fitter, and Sandra West, a hairdresser. Beckham's maternal grandfather
is Jewish, and he has been mentioning the religion as influence; he wears a
tattoo written in Hebrew from the 'Song of Songs' in the Hebrew Bible (Old
Testament), albeit he is not known to practice Judaism or any other faith.
Beckham has always played in long sleeve shirts to cover up his tattoos in
consideration of others who may feel uncomfortable due to their beliefs.
He was brought up by his parents,
supporters of Manchester United, attended Bobby Charlton's
football school in Manchester, and won a spot in a training session at FC
Barcelona as a child. In 1986 he was a Manchester United's mascot for a match
against West Ham United. From 1992 - 2003 Beckham made almost 400 appearances
for Manchester United and scored 85 goals, although his official record counts
only 62 goals in 265 official senior team's matches. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup
he played all of England's qualifying matches and scored in several important
victories. He received a red card for violent conduct in England's match
against Argentina, albeit his opponent later admitted to trying to send Beckham
off by over-reacting to their contact during the game and by urging the referee
to send Beckham off. After losing the game England was eliminated, Beckham was
made a scapegoat and became the target of criticism and abuse in media.
He had a good season in 1999 - 2000 and
helped Manchester United to win the Premier League. At that time, he married
singer Victoria Beckham (nee'
Adams) from the popular musical group The Spice Girls, and the couple had their
first son, Brooklyn, born in 1999. That same year, Beckham was given a
permission to miss training routine, in order to look after his son Brooklyn, who
suffered from a stomach infection. Meanwhile, the Manchester United's manager, Alex Ferguson,
fined Beckham £50,000 (about $80,000 then) the maximum amount that was
permitted, for babysitting with his sick child, while his wife was spotted at a
London fashion Week event on the same night. Ferguson's claim that Beckham
should be able to train if his wife stayed home that day, caused a serious
personal tension between two men. In February 2003, following the defeat to
Arsenal, the Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson entered
the changing room and kicked a football boot that struck Beckham over the eye,
causing a cut that required stitches.
David Beckham has been a good scorer and a
major attraction for public. On the field he has been demonstrating his
consistent ability to see a big picture even under severe pressure during the
most rapidly changing and unpredictable games. His field vision has been remarkable,
allowing him to create many assists in a number of important matches. Beckham's
forte has been his delivery from the right-hand side as well as his efficient
free kicks. His superior performances in the midfield position has required a
higher physical endurance through the entire game. "David Beckham's right
foot" was mentioned, although humorously, as one of British national
treasures in the movie Love Actually (2003).
He signed a four-year contract with Real
Madrid, beginning on July 1, 2003, and worth a potential 40 million dollars. In
Madrid, Beckham was not allowed to wear his favorite number seven, because
another player had the right to wear it written into his contract. Beckham
decided to wear the number 23 instead, being a big fan of Michael Jordan.
He immediately became popular with the Real Madrid fans, but the team did not
perform well enough to win either the Spanish League or the Champions League.
However, Beckham remained a reliable scorer and his performances attracted more
public. His shirts sales and other merchandising deals remained lucrative for
the club, which continued to under-perform, regardless of the Real's
management's higher expectations.
In 2005 Beckham became a UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador. He was also involved in promoting London's successful bid for the
2012 Olympic Games. His third season in Madrid was unremarkable, and he was
criticized a lot, mainly because the team finished second to Barcelona in
Spanish "La Liga" and lost to Arsenal in the European Champions
League. However, during that season, he expanded his international presence by
establishing football academies in Los Angeles and East London. During the FIFA
World Cup 2006, he played for England, and became the first ever English player
to score in three World Cups. In the quarter final game against Portugal,
Beckham was replaced because of his injury in the middle of the game. Without
him the English team lost and was knocked out of the World Cup.
In June 2007 Beckham played his final game
for Real Madrid, winning a medal and celebrating with his friends Tom and Katie
Cruse, who attended the game. This was his fourth, and last season there,
ending his contract with the club. He announced that he had signed a five-year
contract to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy from July 1, 2007 through June
2012. The 5-year deal includes up to $10 million a year in direct salary, and
with merchandising endorsements and profit-sharing could earn Beckham up to $50
million a year, and may end up worth about $250 million in five years, making
him one of the highest earning athletes of all time.
In 2009, in a unique time share agreement
David played on loan at AC Milan to maintain his fitness after ending the
season with the Galaxy. He ended up staying with Milan for five months, from
January to May 2009. In 2010, he also arranged to embark on a second loan spell
at AC Milan from the Galaxy, to play for Milan for another five months. He said
that he "genuinely enjoyed playing for Milan."
In 2011, after winning his first MLS Cup,
his five-year deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy ended. At that time, Beckham was
invited to play for Paris Saint-Germain. But the 36-year-old player said
"My family and I are incredibly happy and settled in America and we look
forward to spending many more years here... I am still passionate about playing
in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy" he stated after signing
another two-year contract with the Los Angeles club.
Beckham's jersey No 23 is the best selling
in the MLS and one of the best in the world, as he expands his image as one of
sport's leading icons. Although he plays his best in the right of midfield,
Beckham can be dangerous anywhere in the field and can make a difference in a
big game with a pass, a cross, or a free kick. Arguably no one in the game can
rival Beckham's accuracy in free kicks, as he can put that ball on a teammate's
head with uncanny precision. He is still a decisive player, regardless of age.
The Beckhams, who have become known as
"Posh and Becks", have three sons: Brooklyn Joseph Beckham (born
1999), Romeo James Beckham (born 2002), and Cruz David Beckham (born 2005) who
was named "Cruz" in honor of their friend Tom Cruise.
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