Question

Like what ______________(happen) numerous times to centers of power, empires, and

civilizations throughout history, the once-mighty city of Angkor eventually fell into decline.
This deterioration was truly evident by 1431, when it was partially abandoned after
_______________ (invade) by Siamese forces. Not long after this, Yasodharapura also lost its
prestige as the most important city of the Khmer Empire because the capital _____________
(move) to the south. Despite interest in the magnificent temples in the region from a
Cambodian king in the 1500s and Buddhist pilgrims, it gradually became largely forgotten.

Apart from the obvious threat from the Siamese, the precise reasons for the demise of
Yasodharapura _________________ (mostly remain) a mystery until research strongly
suggested that environmental factors ___________________ (play) a huge role in the
megacity’s downfall. According to climate experts, long periods of drought followed by
devastating monsoon flooding in the 1300s ____________________ (prove) to be too much
for the residents and rulers of Angkor to handle. Dan Penny, a researcher at the University of
Sydney, told National Geographic in 2017 that evidence _______________ (suggest) these
dramatic variations in climatic conditions did so much damage to the infrastructure of the
huge city that it couldn’t be repaired.

After the abandonment and neglect of the site, Angkor became overgrown by forest and
_______________ (essentially lost) to the outside world until French explorers
__________________ (rediscover) it in the 1860s. After the French took control of
Cambodia, they worked hard on restoration work and built roads to allow tourists to visit
the area. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, Angkor Wat today remains a
marvelous gift to the world and provides a fascinating insight into a once-powerful
civilization.
Original Essay (Answer)

Like what has happened numerous times to centers of power, empires, and civilizations
throughout history, the once-mighty city of Angkor eventually fell into decline. This
deterioration was truly evident by 1431, when it was partially abandoned after being
invaded by Siamese forces. Not long after this, Yasodharapura also lost its prestige as the
most important city of the Khmer Empire because the capital was moved to the south.
Despite interest in the magnificent temples in the region from a Cambodian king in the
1500s and Buddhist pilgrims, it gradually became largely forgotten.

Apart from the obvious threat from the Siamese, the precise reasons for the demise of
Yasodharapura had mostly remained a mystery until research strongly suggested that
environmental factors played a huge role in the megacity’s downfall. According to climate
experts, long periods of drought followed by devastating monsoon flooding in the 1300s
proved to be too much for the residents and rulers of Angkor to handle. Dan Penny, a
researcher at the University of Sydney, told National Geographic in 2017 that evidence
suggests these dramatic variations in climatic conditions did so much damage to the
infrastructure of the huge city that it couldn’t be repaired.

After the abandonment and neglect of the site, Angkor became overgrown by forest and was
essentially lost to the outside world until French explorers rediscovered it in the 1860s. After
the French took control of Cambodia, they worked hard on restoration work and built roads
to allow tourists to visit the area. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, Angkor
Wat today remains a marvelous gift to the world and provides a fascinating insight into a
once-powerful civilization.