Dec 15, J93

Text 1.

Bloating Children and Corruptors

       It is a sad state of affairs when we learn from the print and electronic media that many skinny children in many places in Indonesia are lying helplessly with bloated bellies, in a severely malnourished condition. Ironically, we also have learned from the same print and electronic media reports about massive graft involving huge amounts of money, perpetrated by smartly-dressed, smug officials.

       It will not be an odd thing if there are some people who question whether or not these smartly-dressed and smug corruptors who hold office in government and legislative agencies have ever learned of these cases of malnutrition, bloated bellies, and poverty, which are rampant in this country. It seems that these people have lost a fraction of their conscience to take pity on their fellow creatures that have been beset by such a misfortune.

       These people should have realized that their disgusting corruption has sent many of their fellow countrymen to the abyss of poverty. Unfortunately, in reality, these smartly dressed people are living a luxurious life and often spending their time and money abroad. Meanwhile, many of their fellow countrymen live in abject poverty. Don’t they feel embarrassed?

1. “Ironically, we also have learned from the same print and electronic media ...”The word “we” refers to …

a. The listener and the readers

b. The writer and the presenter

c. The viewers and the writer

d. The readers and the writer

e. The presenter and the readers

2. “These people should have realized that their disgusting corruption has sent many of their fellow countrymen to the abyss of poverty ….
”This part of the text is called the ….

a. Coda

b. Reiteration

c. Conclusion

d. Re-orientation

e. Recommendation

Text 2.

How is Dust Useful to Us?

       Most people think that dust is very harmful to us. But this is not true. Dust is, in fact, very useful, and therefore, it is essential to know what dust is and how it is formed.

       Every solid substance is composed of very small particles. For example, if we go on breaking a brick or a stone into small pieces, it will turn into small particles. The air then carries dust particles from one place to another.

       There are different ways by which dust is formed. When solid substance breaks, dust is formed. Smoke generated by the burning of coal, wood, petrol, etc. also produces dust. Dust particles also come from dead plants, sea salt, desert, volcanic sand, etc. The particles of the earth’s surface also fly in the air in the form of dust.

       The biggest use of the dust particles is that they help in the formation of the rains. The water vapors in the clouds condense on the dust particles in the form of water-drops. These drops fall on the earth as rain. Likewise, mist, fog, etc. are also formed due to the presence of dust particles.

3. Paragraph 1 …

a. Informs what dust is

b. Introduces the participant

c. Describes how dust is formed

d. Explains that dust is not useless

e. Describes how most people think about dust
4. What is every solid substance made of? It is made of . . . 

a. Very small particles

b. Small pieces of matters

c. Scattered dust particles

d. Dust particles mixed with air

e. The particles of the earth’s surface

5. How can a stone become dust?

a. When dust is formed

b. When it is burned

c. When it flies in the air

d. When it gets mixed with air

e. When it goes on breaking into very small particles

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DEC 14, J91

Text 1.

The Fools on the Desert

       Three fools, Fatty, Skinny, and John, were just getting out of prison. This jailhouse was located in the middle of a very hot, dirty, dry desert. As they were leaving, they were told that they could bring one thing with them to help them cross the arid region.
       “What would you like to take with you?” a guard asked John.
     “I know the desert is very hot and dry, so I’d like a glass of water to drink when I get thirsty,” answered John.
     “That was a reasonable request.” The guard gave him a cool glass of water and then John walked out into the desert.
     “And what would you like?” asked the guard.
     “Well,” replied Skinny. “I know the sun is very hot in the desert, so I’d like an umbrella to keep the sun off me.”
     This wish was also granted. After that, Skinny walked out into the desert with his umbrella.
     It was now Fatty’s turn to be questioned. When the guard asked him what he wanted, Fatty said, “I’d like a car door, please.”

     “A car door! Why would you want a car door to carry across the desert?” the guardian inquired.“I believe it’s very hot in the desert. If it gets too hot, I’ll just open the window!”

1. What didi John want to bring with him to cross the desert?
a. An umbrella

b. A glass of water

c. A car window

d. A car door

e. A car

2. What is the purpose of the text above? It is...

a. To inform the readers about the events of the day.
b. To amuse and entertain the readers.
c. To explain how the desert occurs.
d. To criticize somebody’s works.
e. To describe the guard.

3. “I believe it’s very hot in the desert. If it gets too hot, I’ll just open the window!” This part of the text is called the …..

a. Orientation.
b. Re-orientation.
c. Complication.
d. Resolution.
e. Twist.

Text 2.

Bloating Children and Corruptors

       It is a sad state of affairs when we learn from the print and electronic media that many skinny children in many places in Indonesia are lying helplessly with bloated bellies, in a severely malnourished condition. Ironically, we also have learned from the same print and electronic media reports about massive graft involving huge amounts of money, perpetrated by smartly-dressed, smug officials.

       It will not be an odd thing if there are some people who question whether or not these smartly-dressed and smug corruptors who hold office in government and legislative agencies have ever learned of these cases of malnutrition, bloated bellies and poverty, which are rampant in this country. It seems that these people have lost a fraction of their conscience to take pity on their fellow creatures that have been beset by such a misfortune.

       These people should have realized that their disgusting corruption has sent many of their fellow countrymen to the abyss of poverty. Unfortunately, in reality, these smartly dressed people are living a luxurious life and often spending their time and money abroad. Meanwhile, many of their fellow countrymen live in abject poverty. Don’t they feel embarrassed?

4. “It is a sad state of affairs when we learn from the print and electronic media that many skinny children in many places in Indonesia are lying helplessly …..”This part of the text is called the …..

a. Sequence of explanation

b. Description

c. Identification

d. Thesis

e. Event

5. What is the purpose of the text above? It is...

a. To tell the readers that there are many corruptors in Indonesia

b. To persuade the government officials to stop corrupting

c. To persuade the corruptors to donate their money to the poor

d. To explain the process of corruption

e. To describe Indonesian corruptors

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Dec 13, J91

Text 1.

Europe breaks barriers in fighting terror.

       Berlin: European countries are starting to break down the barriers between intelligence and police agencies, sweeping aside concerns about civil rights abuses in hopes of combating terrorism more effectively.       The agencies are starting to cooperate in what is being called “war rooms”’ state of the art communication centers, that allow police and intelligence agencies to meet and share information, such as live wiretaps, video or satellite pictures.      The moves have been in the works for more than a year but have taken on a new urgency since terrorist attacks in Spain in March and the killing of Dutch film director, Theo Van Gogh.       Next month, Germany will open its “Terrorism Information and Analysis Center,” according to Jorg Zierccke, the president of the German Federal Police.

1. State-of-the-art communication centers that allow police and intelligence agencies to meet and share information, such as live wiretaps, video or satellite pictures is called …
a. War rooms.
b. Civil rights.
c. Police Agencies.
d. German Federal Police.
e. Terrorism Information and Analysis Center

2. “The moves have been in the works for more than a year but have taken on a new urgency …..” The words 'The moves' refer to …
a. War rooms.
b. Communication centers.
c. Police and Intelligence Agencies.
d. Wiretaps and video.
e. Satellite pictures

3. What is the text type of text above? It is a...
a. Report.
b. Description.
c. News items.
d. Explanation.
e. Discussion

4. Why does the writer want to write the text above?
a. Because the writer wants to inform the readers about the events of the day.
b. Because the writer wants to amuse and entertain the reader.
c. Because the writer wants to occur.
d. Because the writer wants to criticize somebody’s works.
e. Because the writer wants to describe a specific thing

Text 2

The Fools on the Desert

       Three fools, Fatty, Skinny, and John, were just getting out of prison. This jailhouse was located in the middle of a very hot, dirty, dry desert. As they were leaving, they were told that they could bring one thing with them to help them cross the arid region.
       “What would you like to take with you?” a guard asked John.
     “I know the desert is very hot and dry, so I’d like a glass of water to drink when I get thirsty,” answered John.
     “That was a reasonable request.” The guard gave him a cool glass of water and then John walked out into the desert.
     “And what would you like?” asked the guard.
     “Well,” replied Skinny. “I know the sun is very hot in the desert, so I’d like an umbrella to keep the sun off me.”
     This wish was also granted. After that, Skinny walked out into the desert with his umbrella.
     It was now Fatty’s turn to be questioned. When the guard asked him what he wanted, Fatty said, “I’d like a car door, please.”
     “A car door! Why would you want a car door to carry across the desert?” the guardian inquired.“I believe it’s very hot in the desert. If it gets too hot, I’ll just open the window!”

5. Who are the main characters in the text? They are...
a. The fools, Fatty and Skinny.
b. Fatty, Skinny, and John.
c. The guard, Fatty, and Skinny.
d. The fools, the guard, and Skinny.
e. The fools, the guard, and John

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER HERE!!!

Dec 12, J91

Text 1.

Making Your Own Kite

Things you need:
• 2 strong, straight wooden sticks of bamboo (90 cm and 103 cm)
• Glue
• 1 sheet of strong paper
• Scissors
• Pencil, paint and a paintbrush to decorate
• Strong string
How to make it
1. Make a cross with the two sticks, with the shorter stick placed horizontally across the longer stick.
2. Tie the two sticks together with the string.
3. Get another piece of string and cut it long enough to stretch all around the kite frame.
The cover
4. Lay a sheet of paper on the frame. Cut around it, leaving about 2-3 cm for a margin.
5. Fold these edges over the string frame and glue it down so that the material is tight.
6. Draw an animal face on the paper. Paint it.
The bridle
7. Cut 3 pieces of string, each 20 cm long.
8. Tie one and end of each string tightly to the frame (at the left and right, and at the bottom). Then, tie the other ends of the knot.

1. These are the materials needed to make a kite, except …..

a. Glue.
b. Golden sticks.
c. Pencil.
d. Strong string.
e. 1 sheet of strong paper.

2. Paint is one of the materials used to decorate …..

a. The frame

b. The bridle

c. The cover

d. The paintbrush

e. The strong string

3. What tools do you need to make a kite? I need...
a. Pencils, scissors, and paintbrush.
b. Pencils, scissors, and bridle.
c. Paper and string.
d. Frame, paint, and bridle.
e. The frame, the cover, and the bridle.

4. How many steps are there to make the cover of the kite? There are...
a. 1.
b. 2.
c. 3.
d. 4.
e. 5.

Text 2.

Europe breaks barriers in fighting terror

       Berlin: European countries are starting to break down the barriers between intelligence and police agencies, sweeping aside concerns about civil rights abuses in hopes of combating terrorism more effectively.

       The agencies are starting to cooperate in what is being called “war rooms”’ state of the art communication centers, that allow police and intelligence agencies to meet and share information, such as live wiretaps, video or satellite pictures.

       The moves have been in the works for more than a year but have taken on a new urgency since terrorist attacks in Spain in March and the killing of Dutch film director, Theo Van Gogh.

Next month, Germany will open its “Terrorism Information and Analysis Center,” according to Jorg Zierccke, the president of the German Federal Police.

5. Combating terrorism more effectively is the European countries’…
a. Intelligence.
b. Cooperation.
c. Expectations.
d. Barriers.
e. Rights

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER HERE!!!

Dec 11, J91.

Text 1.

Two Sisters

Once upon a time, there were two sisters. One of them was rich but had no children, while the other was a poor widow who had five children.

One day, the poor widow no longer had enough food to satisfy herself and her children. In her need, therefore, she went to her sister and said, “My children and I are suffering the greatest hunger. You are my beloved sister and you are rich. Please, give me a mouthful of bread.”

The very rich sister was too stingy to give some food to her sister and said, “I myself have nothing in the house, “and she drove away from her sister with harsh words.

After some time, the husband of the rich sister came home and just going to cut himself a piece of bread. When he made the first cut into the loaf, out flowed red blood.

When the maid saw that, she was very terrified and told him what his wife had done to the poor widow. After hearing the maid’s story, the husband hurried away to help the poor widow and her children. But when he entered the widow’s room, he found her praying. She had her two youngest children in her arms and three eldest were lying dead. He offered her food, but she refused it and answered, “We no longer have a desire for earthly food. God has already satisfied the hunger of the three of us, and He will listen to our supplications likewise.”

After she uttered these words, the two little ones drew their last breath. Five seconds later, the poor widow sank down and died.

1. What is the story about? It is about …
    a. Dead children.
    b. A rich husband.
    c. The hungry God.
    d. Two poor widows.
    e. The poor widow and her rich sister

 2. A person who is rich but too stingy to give something to the poor is called . . .  
    a. a tyrant.
    b. a mean person.
    c. a generous person.
    d. a stubborn person.
    e. a lunatic.

3. “Once upon a time there were two sisters. One of them was rich but had no children, 
    while the other was a poor widow who had five children.” 
    What do you call this part of the text? We call it . . . 
    a. Orientation.
    b. Complication.
    c. Evaluation.
    d. Resolution.
    e. Re-orientation.

4. What is the purpose of the text? It is...
    a. To amuse or entertain the readers.
    b. To explain a sequence of events.
    c. To describe the poor widow.
    d. To express sorrow.
    e. To tell past events

Text 2.

Making Your Own Kite

Things you need:
• 2 strong, straight wooden sticks of bamboo (90 cm and 103 cm)
• Glue
• 1 sheet of strong paper
• Scissors
• Pencil, paint and a paintbrush to decorate
• Strong string

How to make it
1. Make a cross with the two sticks, with the shorter stick placed horizontally across the longer stick.
2. Tie the two sticks together with the string.
3. Get another piece of string and cut it long enough to stretch all around the kite frame.
The cover
4. Lay a sheet of paper on the frame. Cut around it, leaving about 2-3 cm for a margin.
5. Fold these edges over the string frame and glue it down so that the material is tight.
6. Draw an animal face on the paper. Paint it.
The bridle
7. Cut 3 pieces of string, each 20 cm long.
8. Tie one and end of each string tightly to the frame (at the left and right, and at the bottom). Then, tie the other ends of the knot.

 5. What is the goal of the text? It is...
    a. To tell about how to make a cross.
    b. To tell about the things you need.
    c. To tell about how to make a kite.
    d. To tell about to tie.
    e. To tell about how to cut three pieces of string.

SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER HERE!!!

Dec 10 (Ragunan Zoo 1)

Ragunan  Zoo

           Ragunan Zoo is not only an entertaining place but also an educational place. It is located not too far away from the city center of Jakarta. It is also a good place for people to escape from the stresses of daily life, and to breathe fresh air.          

The zoo’s location is filled with shrubs, ornamental plants, and trees native to Indonesia. It is 135 hectares wide. Papayas, mangoes, and bananas which are grown in the zoo are the meals of birds and primates. Grass cutting is food for elephants, hippos, and bulls         

There are about 4,000 animals, reptiles and birds living here. It needs Rp. 1 million per day to feed the animals. Seventy percent of these animals are the natives of Indonesia. Some of the protected animals are siamang, tapir, babi rusa and anoa. There are many African animals, too, such as hippos, zebras, and giraffes. There are also a pair of white tigers which come from the United States.

1. The communicative purpose of the text above is . . . ?

     a.  to describe a particular place, Ragunan Zoo
     b.  to describe the location of Ragunan Zoo

     c.  to inform the readers that Ragunan Zoo is not only an entertaining but also an education place
     d.  to entertain the readers  with the story of animals and trees in Ragunan Zoo
     e.  to inform the readers about what we can see and find in Ragunan Zoo

2. What is the main idea of the first paragraph …..?

    a.   Ragunan Zoo is located not too far away from the city center of Jakarta.
    b.   Ragunan Zoo is a good place for people to escape from the stresses of daily life, 

          and to breathe fresh air

    c.   Ragunan Zoo is not only an entertaining place but also an educational place.
    d.   In Ragunan Zoo there are about 4,000 animals, reptiles, and birds.
    e.   The zoo’s location is filled with shrubs, ornamental plants, and trees native to Indonesia.

3. The following sentences are true, EXCEPT ………………………?

    a.   There are many African animals, too, such as the hippos, zebras, giraffes and white tigers.

    b.   The birds and primates in Ragunan zoo eat papayas, mangoes and bananas.

    c.   Elephants, hippos, and bulls eat grass cutting.

    d.   The zoo’s location is filled with shrubs, ornamental plants, and trees native to Indonesia.

    e.   In Ragunan Zoo there are about 4,000 animals, reptiles, and birds

4. The following animals are primates, EXCEPT …………………?
    a.   orang utan.
    b.   monkey.
    c.   gorilla.
    d.   siamang.
    e.   anoa.

5. What do you call paragraph 1?

    a.   Orientaion.

    b.   General Classification.

    c.   Goal.

    d.   Identificaion.

    e.   Description.

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Dec 9 (MAN JAILED FOR STRIKING RI MAID 1)

MAN JAILED FOR STRIKING RI MAID

SINGAPORE: A supervisor was jailed for two months for repeatedly striking his Indonesian maid on the head and back with a television remote control, news reports said on Thursday.

Muhamad Shafiq Woon Abdullah admitted in a Singapore court, he physically abused the woman on several occasions between June and October 2002, The Straits Times said.

The magistrate’s court heard that Shafiq, 31, began striking Winarti, 22, about a month after she started working for him.

He hit her on the head with the TV set’s remote control because he was unhappy with her work. On one occasion, he punched her on the back after accusing her of daydreaming.

S.S. Dhillon, Shafiq’s lawyer, said his client lost his “better senses” when he saw his daughter’s face was covered as she lay in bed.

He said his client thought the maid had put the child in danger. – DPA

1.  Why did Shafiq strike Winarti?

a.   He was not satisfied with her work.                       

b.   He had lost his senses

c.   He saw his daughter was not well treated.     

d.   She broke his TV set.

e.   He punched her on the back.

2. " . . . the maid had put the child in danger."

     This means that the maid had . . . the child's safety.

a.   saved.   

b.   threatened.

c.   protected.

d.   endangered.

e.   destroyed.  

3.  What is the communicative purpose of the text………….?

a.   To inform readers about Indonesian maid in Singapore.

b.   To tell news about the supervisor’s crime in Singapore.

c.   To describe the crime in Singapore.

d.   To persuade the reader to believe the crime in Singapore.
e.   To discuss the maid problem in Singapore.

4.  The organization of the text consists of . . . ?

a.   goal - materials - methods.

b.   newsworthy event - background events - sources.

c.   thesis - arguments - recommendation
d.   thesis - arguments - reiteration.
e.   orientation - complication - evaluation -resolution.

5.  Paragraph 3 is the . . . of the news.
      a.   orientation.

      b.   thesis.

      c.   reiteration.

      d.   background events.

      e.   source

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Dec 8 (IN MEMORIAL SUTAN TAKDIR ALISYAHBANA 1)

IN MEMORIAL SUTAN TAKDIR ALISYAHBANA

          For Indonesians who take an interest in literature, the name of Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana is not unknown. He was a Pujangga Baru novelist beside Armin Pane, Abdul Muis, Hamka, and poet Amir Hamzah. The novel that brought his fame is Layar Terkembang.

          This new of his decease brought sorrow to us who admire his works. Besides his famous novel Layar Terkembang, he also wrote Dian Nan Tak Kunjung Padam. His unfinished novel is Dan Hidup Berjalan Terus. He passed away before finishing this last novel.

          In his lifetime the Sutan married three times. His first wife was Rohani Daha who gave him three children. She died and he married Sugiarti who gave him two children. After his second wife died, the Sutan married a German doctor of philosophy, Margaret. She is now living with her four children.

         As his novel Dian Nan Tak Kunjung Padam, the Sutan revealed himself as a man of outstanding vitality. He was a busy worker till death felled him. 

          His life had been dedicated to the development of Indonesian people, of Indonesian society. He established a number of institutions, a university, three senior high schools, and an art center and owned a publishing house. His leisure was spent collecting and taking care of selected species of plants. As the last of the Pujangga Baru writer, Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana, born at Natal, Bengkulu on 11 February 1908, left to the present generation his works which remain worth reading and his ideas considering. He made Indonesian literature an arena of freedom fighting and a field of nationalism. For Indonesian youths, his advice to always raise their ideals is a talisman for life.  

1. “ … the name of Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana is not unknown. “

      Not unknown means .....?

a.       unfamiliar         

b.      unknown           

c.       popular         

d.      not famous          

e.     unpopular

2. “The novel that brought his fame is Layar Terkembang. “  His refers to .....?

a.       Pujangga Baru novelist                 

b.      Armijn Pane                       

c.       Abdul Muis.   

d.      Amir Hamzah                               

e.     Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana

3. What is Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana’s unfinished novel?

a.       Layar Terkembang                   

b.    Dan Hidup Berjalan Terus.  

c.     Dian Nan Tak Kunjung Padam

d.      Siti Nur Baya                          

e.     Kasih Tak Sampai

4. How many times did Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana married in his lifetime?

a.       once.       

b.      twice.        

c.       three times.      

d.      four times.      

e.     never married again

5. Who is the last of the Pujangga Baru writer?

a.       Buya Hamka.          

b.      Armijn Pane.    

c.       Abdul Muis.  

d.      Amir Hamzah.            

e.     Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana

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