The Fools on the Desert

 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

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. 

Europe breaks barriers in fighting terror

 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

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

Making Your Own Kite

 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.

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.

Two Sisters

 

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

How is Dust Useful to Us?

 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

6. How can dust move from one place to another?
a. Smoke carries it
b. Smoke generates it
c. It carries the air
d. It goes on breaking
e. The air carries it

7. Which of the following sentence is true?
a. Dust particles are the most useful
b. The presence of dust particles can delay the rain
c. Raindrops do not contain dust particles
d. Dust particles help the formation of the rain
e. Dust particles are formed as soon as the sun sets

 

Bloating Children and Corruptors

 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 conditions. 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 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. “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

2. 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 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

3. “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

4. “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

The Fools on the Desert

 

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.

Man jailed for striking RI maid

 

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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In Memorial Sutan Takdir Alisyahbana

 

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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The Travelers and the Bear

 The Travelers and the Bear

                 Two friends were traveling on the same road together when they came face to face with a big bear.  One, in great fear, and without a thought of his companion, climbed into a tree and hid. The other, seeing that single-handed he was no match for the bear, threw himself on the ground and feigned death, because he had heard that a bear will not touch a dead body.

                 The bear approached him, sniffing at his nose and ears, but the man, with great courage, held his breath and kept still, and at length the bear, supposing him to be dead, walked slowly ahead.

                 When the bear was well out of sight the first traveler came down from the tree and asked what it was that the bear had said to him. He said, “I saw that the bear put his mouth very close to your ear.”   

                  “It was no great secret. He only advised me not to keep company with those who, when they get into difficulty, leave their friends in the difficulties,” he answered.   

 1. Which of these phrases has the similar meaning with this phrase:

       “When the bear was well out of sight …”

a.       The bear had lost his eyesight. 

b.      The bear had left the site

c.       The bear watched them from far.

d.      The traveler got blind. 

e.     The bear was blind

2. “… and at length the bear, supposing him to be dead …” (paragraph 2). Him refers to …..?

a.       the bear                            

b.      the first traveler              

c.       the second traveler        

d.      both travelers                   

e.     two friends

3. “leave their friends in the difficulties,” he answered.

     The OPPOSITE of friends is …………………

a.       partner.       

b.      colleague.          

c.       soul mate.           

d.      enemy.             

e.     buddy

4. “One, in great fear, and without a thought of his companion, climbed …” What is the SYNONYM of the underlined word?

a.       angry.           

b.      worried.            

c.       hopeless.           

d.      ashamed.           

e.     afraid

5. What is the type of text?

a.      Reporter.        

b.      Newsitem

c.       Narrative

d.      Spoof

e.     Anecdote