SMA Bahasa Inggris: Pertanyaan, Jawaban, Latihan Soal & Pembahasan

The forest and peatland fires and smog, billed the worst in Indonesian history, still dominated medaia headlines this week, with thousands of hot spots covering Sumatra and Kalimantan. At least 19 people in Sumatra and Kalimantan have died, and mostly children, have been hospitalized because of severe respiratory illnesses caused by the haze. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the ongoing haze crisis has resulted in more than 500,000 people in six provinces - Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan - suffering from respiratory infections.

As evidence indicates that most hot spots are related to oil palm and pulp wood plantations, President has instructed Forestry and Environment Ministry to stop issuing new permits for peatland cultivation for monoculture, restore damaged peatland and review all peatland licenses that have been issued. Put bluntly, companies can no longer convert active forests and deep peat or any peat area into monoculture plantations, such as acasia for pulp and oil palm plantations.

Recent research by forest scientist at the Bogor, West Java-Based center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) found that the main cause of haze in Riau came from dry and deforested peatland, and not just from the slashing-and-burning of forested areas, as commonly thought. The research found that peat swamps in their natural state are resistant to fire because they are wet underground, but they can be highly flammable when they dry out and are degraded

What can we infer from the text?

Luis Lionel Andres Messi, born June 24, 1987, is an Argentina football player for F.C Barcelona. He is not very tall, mainly, due to the growing problem he had when he was younger. His eyes are brown. He never has short hair. Lionel Messi started playing football at a very early age in his hometown's Newell's Old Boys. From the age of 11, he suffered from a hormone deficiency and as Lionel's parents were unable to pay for the treatment in Argentina, they decided to move to Barcelona, Spain. In the 2003-2004 season, when he was still only 16 years old, Messi made his first-team debut in a friendly with Porto that marked the opening of the new Dragao stadium. The following championship-winning season, Messi made his first appearance in an official match on October 16, 2004, in Barcelona's derby win against at the Olympic Stadium (0-1). And now, in 2010, 2011, and 2012 he is the best player in the world with collect 3 Ballon d'Or

According to the text, Messi's parents moved to Barcelona ....

Once a memory is created it must be stored (no matter how briefly). Many experts think there are three ways we store memories: first in the sensory stage; then in short-term memory; and ultimately, for some memories, in long-term memory. Because there is no need for us to maintain everything in our brain, the different stages of human memory function as a sort of filter that helps to protect us from the flood of information that we're confronted with on a daily basis.

The creation of a memory begins with its perception: The registration of information during perception occurs in the brief sensory stage that usually lasts only fraction of a second. It's your sensory memory that allows a perception such as a visual pattern, sound, or a touch to linger for a brief moment after the stimulation is over.

After the first flicker, the sensation is stored in short-term memory. Short-term memory has a fairly limited capacity; it can hold about seven items for no more than 20 or 30 seconds at a time.

Important Information is gradually transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory. The more the information is repeated or used the more likely to eventually end up in long-term memory, or to be “retained”. Unlike sensory and short-term memory, which are limited and decay rapidly, long-term memory can store unlimited amounts of information indefinitely.

People tend to more easily store material on subjects that they already know something about, since the information has more meaning to them and can be mentally connected to related information that is already stored in their long-term memory. That's why someone who has an average memory may be able to remember a greater depth of information about one particular subject.

 

The text is about ...

The text states that....

What is the text about?

    Here is my unforgettable experience. One day I joined a story telling contest. Two of my friends an d I had been choosen to take part in the final round at the district level. I was very happy and eager to win the competition.

    For preparation, I had to memorize and understand the story well. My teacher guided and taught me pronunciation, facial expression, and gestures. One day before performing, my friends and I were busy to prepare the props and costumes for the competition. Thing that me sad was my teacher rented the props and costumes  for my friend but not for me. My two friends had beautiful costumes and luxurious props. Although I just wore simple ones, I performed my best to win the competition.

    The competition started. I got number 29 and My friends got number 5 and 10. I was nervous but I showed my best performance on stage. Lots of people took photos and videos for me. Finally, anxiety was gone after I had finished performing. And then, the announcement came which made three of us very uneasy. Luckily I was chosen as the first winner. I went to stage and all the judges congratulated me and gave a plaque, trophy, and money. I was very happy

 Why did the writer feel sad before the competition?

Task 1: Reading Comprehension
As you know on every 10 November we all celebrate Heroes Days. Why do you think the Heroes Day took that special date to commemorate our heroes’ sacrifice? Discuss with your partners and come to a conclusion why the date has become special. After that, read through the passage and check whether your conclusion is the same as the reason stated in the text.

    On 10 November, Indonesia celebrates Hari Pahlawan or Heroes Day in remembrance of the Battle of Surabaya which started on that very date in the year 1945. The bloody battle took place because Indonesians refused to surrender their weaponry to British army. British Army at that time was part of the Allied Forces. The defiant Bung Tomo is the well-known revolutionary  leader who played a very important role in this battle.

    It all started because of a misunderstanding between British troops in Jakarta and those in Surabaya, under the command of Brigadier A.W.WS. Mallaby. Brigadier Mallaby already had an agreement with Governor of East Java Mr. Surya. The agreement stated that British would not ask Indonesian troops and militia to surrender their weapons.

    However, a British plane from Jakarta dropped leaflets all over Surabaya. The leaflet told Indonesians to do otherwise on 27 October 1945. This action angered the Indonesian troops and militia leaders because they felt betrayed.

    On 30 October 1945, Brigadier Mallaby was killed as he was approaching the British troops’ post near Jembatan Merah or Red Bridge, Surabaya. There were many reports about the death,
but it was widely believed that the Brigadier was murdered by Indonesian militia. Looking at this situation, Lieutenant General Sir Philip Christison brought in reinforcements to siege the city.

    In the early morning of 10 November 1945, British troops began to advance into Surabaya with cover from both naval and air bombardment. Although the Indonesians defended the city heroically, the city was conquered within 3 days and the whole battle lasted for 3 weeks. In total, between 6,000 and 16,000 Indonesians died while casualties on the British side were about 600 to 2000.

    Battle of Surabaya caused Indonesia to lose weaponry which hampered the country’s independence struggle. However, the battle provoked Indonesian and international mass to rally for the country’s independence which made this battle especially important for Indonesian national revolution.

Adapted from: http://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/17298/hari-pahlawan-battle-of-surabaya-the-story-behind-indonesias-heroes-day/

Who was the prominent figure in the battle? What did he do?

Task 1: Reading Comprehension
As you know on every 10 November we all celebrate Heroes Days. Why do you think the Heroes Day took that special date to commemorate our heroes’ sacrifice? Discuss with your partners and come to a conclusion why the date has become special. After that, read through the passage and check whether your conclusion is the same as the reason stated in the text.

    On 10 November, Indonesia celebrates Hari Pahlawan or Heroes Day in remembrance of the Battle of Surabaya which started on that very date in the year 1945. The bloody battle took place because Indonesians refused to surrender their weaponry to British army. British Army at that time was part of the Allied Forces. The defiant Bung Tomo is the well-known revolutionary  leader who played a very important role in this battle.

    It all started because of a misunderstanding between British troops in Jakarta and those in Surabaya, under the command of Brigadier A.W.WS. Mallaby. Brigadier Mallaby already had an agreement with Governor of East Java Mr. Surya. The agreement stated that British would not ask Indonesian troops and militia to surrender their weapons.

    However, a British plane from Jakarta dropped leaflets all over Surabaya. The leaflet told Indonesians to do otherwise on 27 October 1945. This action angered the Indonesian troops and militia leaders because they felt betrayed.

    On 30 October 1945, Brigadier Mallaby was killed as he was approaching the British troops’ post near Jembatan Merah or Red Bridge, Surabaya. There were many reports about the death,
but it was widely believed that the Brigadier was murdered by Indonesian militia. Looking at this situation, Lieutenant General Sir Philip Christison brought in reinforcements to siege the city.

    In the early morning of 10 November 1945, British troops began to advance into Surabaya with cover from both naval and air bombardment. Although the Indonesians defended the city heroically, the city was conquered within 3 days and the whole battle lasted for 3 weeks. In total, between 6,000 and 16,000 Indonesians died while casualties on the British side were about 600 to 2000.

    Battle of Surabaya caused Indonesia to lose weaponry which hampered the country’s independence struggle. However, the battle provoked Indonesian and international mass to rally for the country’s independence which made this battle especially important for Indonesian national revolution.

Adapted from: http://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/17298/hari-pahlawan-battle-of-surabaya-the-story-behind-indonesias-heroes-day/

What made the Indonesians dare to face the British army military aggression?

Complete the e-mail with suitable words from the list below!

• reply
• events
• luck
• send
• helped
• selected
• competitions
• disciplined
• remember
• goals
• healthy

The answer to number (6) is ____.

Complete the following statement based on the letter above!

Joane hopes Mr. Darwin is always fit and healthy so that ____.