Reading leads to questions about Burma

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Recently, my daughter and I were talking about Burma, which is mentioned in a book she is reading, C.J. Mahaney’s “Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing.” She asked me a question pertaining to Burma’s status during World War II, which prompted me to do some research.
I had forgotten that the Japanese had conquered this southeastern Asian country in 1942, ending Britain’s occupation.  One year after Japan’s conquest, Burma was declared to be independent (a defacto puppet government). According to the World Book Encyclopedia, the Burmese resented Japanese rule more than British rule. 
 Burma is officially known as The Republic of the Union of Myanmar.  This week’s Vaughan’s Vocabulary quizzes you about words and facts I came across. See how well you do.  
 
1. A “floating market” has to do with
A. boats.
B. the economy.
C. silk.
D. a colorful tradition.
 
2. pagodas (puh-GO-duhs)
A. flowers
B. tower-like temples
C. robes
D. lacquer ware
 
All four apply to a floating market. In this colorful tradition on a freshwater lake, vendors get in boats to trade their products such as fish, fruits, vegetables, and silk.
 I learned that the most famous pagoda is the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Rangoon. The ancient Burmese city of Pagan has hundreds of these pagodas. B is the answer.
 
3. In that region the weather is hot beginning in
A. February.
B. June.
C. July.
D. October.
 
4. Which one of the following describes the climate?
A. Zeitgeist
B. tropical monsoon
C. tornadic
D. climactic
 
5. Which one is not bounded by Burma?
A. Amarapura
B. Bangladesh
C. China
D. Laos
E. Thailand
 
No. 3 is A. While we’re experiencing frigid February in the United States, the weather is usually getting hot over there. No. 4 is B. As for the last one, Amarapura is a town in central Myanmar. A is the answer. 
 Last week’s mystery word was myrmidon (MUR-mi-don). 
 This week’s mystery word to solve is a valuable type of wood found in the forests of Burma. This word rhymes with a word found in Matthew 5:5 and Matthew 11:29.