UTBK/SNBT Bahasa Inggris: Pertanyaan, Jawaban, Latihan Soal & Pembahasan

Nowadays, our lives are practically dependent on the Information Communications Technology (ICT). Data from the Communications and Information Ministry show that Internet users in Indonesia increased from 74 million people in 2013 to 111 million in 2014. In Indonesia, Internet burst has been mainly used for accessing social media. Indonesia ranked third among countries with the highest number of Facebook users, below the U.S and India.                 The popularity of the Internet and social media unfortunately has not extended to the education sector. ICT has not become a backbone of improving the country’s competitiveness through education. The Ministry of Education and Culture recorded that only about 50 percent of the 234,919 primary and secondary schools in Indonesia had access to the Internet in mid 2014.                 Advancement of ICT should ideally be able to revolutionize education. Technology brings new sources of learning beyond teachers. Moreover, the divide between students and subjects is further narrowed by the availability of educational content through ICT. A revolution in education is also possible through ICT as students can learnt at the appropriate speed according to their capacity. Interactive digital content allows students to pick particular topics that they want to explore more. In a nutshell, there is a democratization of the learning process.                 Unfortunately, it is still a long road to revolutionize education in Indonesia through ICT. In addition to building technology infrastructure across the country’s island, ICT literacy for teachers, parents and students is also of importance. Without it, we are constrained from reaping the full benefits of ICT in education. (Adapted from: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/08/03/new-old-tren-education.html)

What word in the passage gives the idea that technology provides students with freedom to use varied learning resources?

               With the increasing concern about use and misuse of pesticides in commercial agriculture and home gardens, more and more inquiries for “organically grown” commodities are received every year. Non-chemical control practices for plant diseases have been known and recommended for years. The backbone of any integrated pest control program must always include cultural and sanitation practices, two important components of non-chemical disease control. Unfortunately, disease problems may begin as soon as seeds are planted and can continue into harvest and storage.

               Plant diseases may be caused by several different living pathogenic organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses. Phytoplasmas, and nematodes. In addition to these parasitic organisms, non-living factors such as deficiencies or excesses of water, light, temperatures, air pollution, pesticides, and nutrients can either presdispose a plant to disease or directly cause plant injury. Fortunately, many disease problems can be prevented or controlled without the use of pesticides.

               Effective plant disease control must begin at the onset of disease or even before symptoms appear. Several non-chemical practices that can reduce plant loss are as follows. First is resistance. Effective plant disease control through resistance (or a plant’s tolerance or immunity to a disease) is based on the knowledge of diseases known to occur in an area. Selection of resistant plants may eliminate many disease problems.

               Exclusion, another non-chemical practice, is preventing the entrance and establishment of disease causing organism (pathogens) into arcas where plants are grown. This means avoid bringing diseases into and/or moving them around in the garden. Use certified, disease-free seeds or transplants in sterilized beds or buy them from a reputable dealer. Also, avoid transporting soil or tools from knowm disease areas to disease-free areas.

               Last but not least is eradication. Eradication is the elimination of the disease-causing organism after it has become established on a plant. Eradication can be accomplished by sanitation, crop rotation, fallowing, and soil sanitation treatments.

The author's attitude towards the topic in the passage is ....

          The green movement is catching on in many pockets of the world. This is especially true in the construction industry. Today’s buzz words, which include global warming and zero emission, are causing everyday people to look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Purchasing environmentally-friendly property is a good investment for those who are concerned about their own health and the well-being of the earth. Based on this trend, entire districts, known as eco-communities, are being designed with green initiatives in mind. Dockside Green in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada is one of these communities. Its goal is to become the world’s first zero-emissions neighborhood.

          Builders of Dockside Green have the environment in mind with every choice they make. They ensure proper ventilation, and guarantee residents 100% fresh indoor air. Interior and exterior building materials, such as paints and wood, are natural and non-toxic. Eco-conscious builders use bamboo wherever possible because it is durable and does not require pesticides to grow.

          Energy efficiency is one of the top priorities in eco-communities, such as Dockside Green. Not only do energy-efficient appliances and light fixtures reduce the environmental impact of heating and hot water, they also save residents and business owners money. Dockside Green claims that home owners will use 55% less energy than average residents in Canada. Though they are sharing space by investing in condo-style living, residents will have individual utility metres. Studies show that people use approximately 20% less energy when they are billed for exactly what they use. In addition, water is treated at Dockside Green and reused on site for flushinh toilets.

          Planners of eco-communities such as Dockside Green must take the future into account. Dockside Green will reuse 90% of its construction waste. They also plan to continue using local suppliers for all of their transport and maintenance needs. This is a great way to reduce emissions. Dockside residents will be encouraged to make use of a mini transit system and buy into the community’s car share program. Finally, plans are in the works for a high-tech heating system that will use renewable biomass instead of fossil fuels.

The author organizes the ideas in the passage by ....

             This finding implies that the high level of consumption of added sugars among teenagers may result in lower levels of high density lipoprotein levels (HDL), the good cholesterol, and higher levels of triglycerides and low density lipoproteins (LDL), the bad cholesterol. “This is first study about the association of added sugars and the indicators of heart disease risk in adolescent,” said Jean Welsh, study author and post-doctoral fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. “The higher consumers of added sugar have more unfavorable cholesterol levels. The concern is long-term exposure would place them at risk for heart disease later in adulthood.”

            Teenagers with the highest levels of added sugar consumption at more than 30 percent of total energy had 49.5 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) compared to 54 mg/dL of HDL levels in those with the lowest levels of added sugar consumption – a 9 percent difference. Previous studies indicate that the largest contributors of added sugars to the diet are sugary beverages such as sodas, fruit drinks, and teas. Welsh said.

            The study included dietary recall from one 24-hour period that researchers merged with sugar content data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Researchers estimated cardiovascular risks by added sugar consumption of less than 10 percents up to more than 30 percent of daily total enegy. Two days of dietary data were used among a subsample of 646 adolescents.

            The findings remained consistent. Those with higher intake of added sugar had higher LDL levels of 94.3 mg/dL compared to 86.7 in thoses with the lowest levels, a 9 percent difference. Triglyceride levels in those with the highest consumption were 79 mg/dL compared to 71.7 mg/dL among the lowest, a 9 percent difference. Overweight or obese adolescents with the highest level of added sugar consumption had increased sign of insulin resistance.

            The researchers used cross-sectional data so they cannot know if added sugar intake caused the differing cholesterol levels, only that they are linked. They also assessed the diet using one 24-hour recall of intake, which may not reflect on a person’s usual intake.

What is the best summary of the passage? 

 

                 Considering the harmful environmental effect produced by pollution, overpolution, and depletion of natural resources, numerous scholars and public’officials have called for increased urgency in motivating people to engage in pro-environmental behaviors. One significant way of meeting such calls involves our behavior as consumers. For example, people often have the option of switching from conventional products to energy-efficient or reusable “green” products. Yet, while green options are becoming more widely available, many barriers to change remain. For instance, people are notoriously reluctant to change familiar pattern of behavior, and making a switch to green behaviors often necessitates making sacrifices (e.g., playing more for a less effective product).

                Based on research on energy conservation in the wake of the 1970s energy crisis, researchers have continued to investigate strategies that promote conservation behaviours. However, they need to consider the underlying motivates for conservation in order to develop an effective strategy. In fact, those motivates have been identified. Each of them suggest different strategies for stimulating conservations. Therefore, public officials should choose one best strategy to conserve environment.

                According to an environmental concern perspective, people are assumed to engage in conservation primarily because they, at some level, basically care about the security of the planet and its inhabitants. To motivate green behavior from this perpective, an effective strategy involves better informing people about the plight of the envieonment. Accordingly, information campaigns about the dangerous state of the planet should lead people to behave in a pro-environmental fashion, ven if going green requires some sacrifice on the part of consumers. In contrast, a rational economic perpective suggest that conservation is primarily determined by economic reason. As a result, an effective way to motivate people to go green is by making green products cheaper, more efficient, and providing consumers with financial incentives (e.g., tax breaks) to buy them. The motives related to environmental concern and economic advantage can certainly spur conservation.

 

Which of the following obviously shows the authors's false idea in the passage ?

                 Considering the harmful environmental effect produced by pollution, overpolution, and depletion of natural resources, numerous scholars and public’officials have called for increased urgency in motivating people to engage in pro-environmental behaviors. One significant way of meeting such calls involves our behavior as consumers. For example, people often have the option of switching from conventional products to energy-efficient or reusable “green” products. Yet, while green options are becoming more widely available, many barriers to change remain. For instance, people are notoriously reluctant to change familiar pattern of behavior, and making a switch to green behaviors often necessitates making sacrifices (e.g., playing more for a less effective product).

                Based on research on energy conservation in the wake of the 1970s energy crisis, researchers have continued to investigate strategies that promote conservation behaviours. However, they need to consider the underlying motivates for conservation in order to develop an effective strategy. In fact, those motivates have been identified. Each of them suggest different strategies for stimulating conservations. Therefore, public officials should choose one best strategy to conserve environment.

                According to an environmental concern perspective, people are assumed to engage in conservation primarily because they, at some level, basically care about the security of the planet and its inhabitants. To motivate green behavior from this perpective, an effective strategy involves better informing people about the plight of the envieonment. Accordingly, information campaigns about the dangerous state of the planet should lead people to behave in a pro-environmental fashion, ven if going green requires some sacrifice on the part of consumers. In contrast, a rational economic perpective suggest that conservation is primarily determined by economic reason. As a result, an effective way to motivate people to go green is by making green products cheaper, more efficient, and providing consumers with financial incentives (e.g., tax breaks) to buy them. The motives related to environmental concern and economic advantage can certainly spur conservation.

What does author imply by starting "... While green options are becoming more widely available, many barriers to change remain" in line 4-5?

                 Considering the harmful environmental effect produced by pollution, overpolution, and depletion of natural resources, numerous scholars and public’officials have called for increased urgency in motivating people to engage in pro-environmental behaviors. One significant way of meeting such calls involves our behavior as consumers. For example, people often have the option of switching from conventional products to energy-efficient or reusable “green” products. Yet, while green options are becoming more widely available, many barriers to change remain. For instance, people are notoriously reluctant to change familiar pattern of behavior, and making a switch to green behaviors often necessitates making sacrifices (e.g., playing more for a less effective product).

                Based on research on energy conservation in the wake of the 1970s energy crisis, researchers have continued to investigate strategies that promote conservation behaviours. However, they need to consider the underlying motivates for conservation in order to develop an effective strategy. In fact, those motivates have been identified. Each of them suggest different strategies for stimulating conservations. Therefore, public officials should choose one best strategy to conserve environment.

                According to an environmental concern perspective, people are assumed to engage in conservation primarily because they, at some level, basically care about the security of the planet and its inhabitants. To motivate green behavior from this perpective, an effective strategy involves better informing people about the plight of the envieonment. Accordingly, information campaigns about the dangerous state of the planet should lead people to behave in a pro-environmental fashion, ven if going green requires some sacrifice on the part of consumers. In contrast, a rational economic perpective suggest that conservation is primarily determined by economic reason. As a result, an effective way to motivate people to go green is by making green products cheaper, more efficient, and providing consumers with financial incentives (e.g., tax breaks) to buy them. The motives related to environmental concern and economic advantage can certainly spur conservation.

Which of the following best restates the sentence "Considering the harmful environmental effect, produced by pollution, overpopulation, and depletion of natural resources, numerous scholars and public officials have called for increased urgency in motivating people to engage in pro-environmental behaviors" in lines 1-3?

           The applications, games, and webistes that are promoted as ‘educational’ are not always the best ones of for supporting learning. The fact that they are interactive does not necessarily mean that they are much better than an old-fashioned workbook with its right and wrong answers. Children may enjoy these products for a while but then get a bit bored. Thus, they are not the most appropriate or engaging way to learn.

          Treat so-called ‘free’ applications with caution. Some will expose your child to advertisements. Others are designed to wait until your child is engaged in a game or storyline and then demand payment before they can go any futher. This can lead to frustration as young children do not understand why they cannot continue. Sometimes it is better to make a small payment in advance if the application promises no further purchases. However, some applications are free to download and completely free of advertisements or in-app purchases.

          Choosing an app needs the same kind of thought and care you would put into buying anything else for your child. Do not rely only on the star rating. Instead, read the user reviews and check the privacy policy if you are worried about the personal information that the app might be collecting. If you ant your child to enjoy learning, develop curiosity, and think about things creatively, provide them with a range of games and apps. Open-ended games have become progressively more challenging and encourage children to explore and have fun. They are, therefore, more likely to establish a love of learning and to lay the foundation for their future development.

          Physical activity, reading, and other more ‘traditional’ activities continue to play a very important part in children’s development. But, most parents do rely on screen devices from time to time to engage their child while they are busy with something else. This is not a problem in itself, just as long as children’s time is made up of a balanced range of activities.

Regarding busy parents' reliance on screen devices to help keep their children entertained, the author assumes that ....

           The applications, games, and webistes that are promoted as ‘educational’ are not always the best ones of for supporting learning. The fact that they are interactive does not necessarily mean that they are much better than an old-fashioned workbook with its right and wrong answers. Children may enjoy these products for a while but then get a bit bored. Thus, they are not the most appropriate or engaging way to learn.

          Treat so-called ‘free’ applications with caution. Some will expose your child to advertisements. Others are designed to wait until your child is engaged in a game or storyline and then demand payment before they can go any futher. This can lead to frustration as young children do not understand why they cannot continue. Sometimes it is better to make a small payment in advance if the application promises no further purchases. However, some applications are free to download and completely free of advertisements or in-app purchases.

          Choosing an app needs the same kind of thought and care you would put into buying anything else for your child. Do not rely only on the star rating. Instead, read the user reviews and check the privacy policy if you are worried about the personal information that the app might be collecting. If you ant your child to enjoy learning, develop curiosity, and think about things creatively, provide them with a range of games and apps. Open-ended games have become progressively more challenging and encourage children to explore and have fun. They are, therefore, more likely to establish a love of learning and to lay the foundation for their future development.

          Physical activity, reading, and other more ‘traditional’ activities continue to play a very important part in children’s development. But, most parents do rely on screen devices from time to time to engage their child while they are busy with something else. This is not a problem in itself, just as long as children’s time is made up of a balanced range of activities.

The author reminds readers to be more careful with commercialism in free application in paragraph(s) ....

                Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder. It is also known as manic-depressive illness. It causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. It also affects the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder. All of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range, from periods of extremely “up” to “down” periods. During the “up” period one shows energized behavior. During the “down” periods he/she is very sad or hopeless. The “up” periods are known as manic episodes. The “down” periods are known as depressive episodes. Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

                People with bipolar disorder experience periods of extremely intense emotion. They also experience changes in sleep patterns and activity levels. They show unsual behaviors. These periods are called “mood episodes”. Mood episodes are extremely different from the person’s ordinary moods and behaviors. During the mood episodes there are extreme changes in energy, activity, and sleep.

                Sometimes a mood episode includes both manic and depressive symptoms. This is called an episode with mixed features. People experiencing an episode with mixed features may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless and extremely energized at the same time.

Bipolar disorder can be present even when mood swings are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania. It is a less severe from of mania. During a hypomanic episode, an individual may feel very good. The person may not feel that anything is wrong. However, family and friends may recognize the mood swings. Without proper treatment. People with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression.

One of the symptoms of manic episodes is feeling ....