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

Victoria Caroline Beckham is an English singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress, fashion designer and businesswoman. She was born on April 17, 1974, in Essex, England. She became famous in the 1990's with the pop group "The Spice Girls" and was known as Posh Spice. In 1999, she married the Manchester United and England footballer, David Beckham. They have four children, three sons and a daughter.

After the Spice Girls split up, she pursued a solo singing career, but also started her own fashion range called dVb Style. Since this initial foray into fashion Victoria Beckham has brought out her own range of sunglasses and fragrance, entitled "intimately Beckham" and a range of handbags and jewelry.

In addition, she had written two best-selling books: one her autobiography and the other, a fashion guide.

What did Victoria do before being a solo singer?

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/

Describe in one word the Indonesians who defended their city at that time.

For numbers 4 and 5, complete the text with suitable conjunctions.

    The well-preserved cliff dwellings o f Mesa Verde National Park provide a precious and fascinating insight into the life and times of the "lost civilization" of the Ancient Puebloans (formerly known as the "Anasazi"), ancestors of modern-day Native American peoples in the Southwest. The park and its natural cliff alcoves were inhabited from as early as 500 AD, (4) ____ it is thought that the 600 cliff homes here were not built until the 13th century. Though these remarkable stone villages must have been a mighty building project for the community, they were inhabited for less than 100 years. The people (5) ____ rock dwellings of Mesa Verde remain shrouded in mystery.

Adopted from: Anonymous, Off the Tourist Trail 1,000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives, London, Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2009

What is the purpose of the text above? 

It will be the school’s anniversary next month. You and your classmates are discussing the plan for the class performance. One of them seems to disagree with the idea because he thinks that it will need a lot of money. Use the expressions in the previous section in the conversation.

A friend is absent because she/he is sick. You and your classmates plan to visit her/him this afternoon. However, one of them makes an excuse for not going. Use the expressions in the previous section in the conversation.

Who is offering a help in Dialog 3? What does she say? Is the offer accepted?

What did Afgan do when he showed up in the lobby?

What is the special characteristic of the lake?

What is the purpose of the text?