Tuesday, 20 January 2015

SailorMoon





1. Sailor Moon


Name: Tsukino Usagi  
Alias: Sailor Moon, Serena, Ah'Tu  
Birthday: June 30
Astrological Sign: Cancer  
Favorite Food: ice cream and cake
Blood Type: O
Least Favorite Food: carrots  
Favorite Subject: None  
Favorite Color: pink and white
Least Favorite Subjects: math and English


2. Sailor Mercury 


Name: Mizuno Ami  
Alias: Sailor Mercury, Amy Anderson
Birthday: September 10th  
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Favorite Food: sandwiches and anmitsu
Blood Type: A
Favorite Food: yellow-tail tuna  
Favorite Color: light blue
Favorite Subject: all 
Least Favorite Subject: none

3. Sailor Mars 


Name: Hino Rei  
Alias: Sailor Mars, Raye Hino
Birthday: April 17  
Astrological Sign: Aries  
Blood Type: AB
Favorite Subject: Ancient literature
  Least Favorite Subject: Modern social studies  
Favorite Foods: Fugu (poisonus blowfish) and thai food  
Favorite Colors: red and black 


4. Sailor Jupiter


Name: Kino Makoto  
Alias: Sailor Jupiter, Lita  
Birthday: December 15
Element: Wood
Day of the week: Thursday 

5. Sailor Venus


Name:Aino Minako
Alias: Sailor Venus, Sailor V, Mina  
Birthday:October 22  
Astrological Sign: Libra 
Favorite Food: gyouza, ramen, and curry rice  
Blood Type : B
Least FavoriteFood: shiitake mushrooms 
Favorite Subject: Physical education  
Least Favorite Subject: everything else
 







Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Exercise Discussion Text

Text 1
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning

A few years ago, distance learning was seen as an inferior way. Nowadays, even famous and established traditional colleges and universities are providing distance learning courses ad it is generally considered a way to improve one’s life.
However, people still argue whether distance learning has more advantages or disadvantages. Some of them who see the benefit of distance learning will say that distance learning needs no commuting. Of course, it saves money and time that students would take. Furthermore, distance learning can be done at any students’ convenience. The classes of distance learning are mostly synchronous. It means that students do not have to attend a lecture at a fixed particular time and place. Students can review the assignments and do their homework during off-hours or from home. In addition, distance learning provides more accessibility. No one can deny it. People with limited mobility may encounter the problem when they attend traditional classes. With the online class system, the problem is solved.
Despite the many advantages, other people will see that distance learning is costly and needs complex technology. To attend online learning, a student must have a computer with access to the internet. Admittedly, such technology devices are not always available for common students. Another disadvantage of distance learning is that it does not provide immediate feedback. Unlikely traditional classroom, students have to wait for the feedback and comments until the instructor has reviewed the works and sent responses to them. Most of the time, the students will study alone. Distance learners may feel isolated or miss the social interaction that comes in a traditional classroom.
Regarding the individual’s style, many students are able to learn when there is live interaction between them and the available accompanying teacher while others don’t really need it. So before deciding a choice of attending distance learning or not, each student needs to do a fair analysis regarding the kind of person he/she is.

1.      The text discusses that distance learning benefits students who...
a.      Hate travelling
b.      Like homework
c.       Can operate computers
d.      Do not have a lot of money
e.       Do not have time to go to regular classes
2.      What is the main idea of paragraph two?
a.      Distance learning saves time and money
b.      Students can learn at their convenience
c.       There are advantages of distance learning
d.      Distance learning is an online class system
e.       Most classes of distance learning are not synchronous
3.      According to the text, one of the disadvantages of distance learning is that it...
a.      Does not provide teachers
b.      Requires expensive technology
c.       Discourages people from travelling
d.      Offers ineffective social interaction
e.       Does not regard individual differences
Text 2
Nature vs. Nurture
People wondered for a long time how their personalities and behaviors are formed. Two distinct schools of thought on the matter have developed. The two approaches are very different from one another. The controversy is often referred to as nature and nurture.
Those who support the nature and nurture side of the conflict believe that our personalities and behavior patterns are largely determined by biological and genetic factors. That our environment has little to do with our abilities, characteristics and behavior is central to this theory.
Proponents of the nurture theory claim that our environment is more important than our biologically based instinct in determining how we will act. They see humans as beings whose behavior is almost completely shaped by their surroundings.
Neither of these theories can yet fully explain human behavior. In fact, it is quite likely that the key to our behavior lies somewhere between these two extremes. That the controversy will continue for a long time is certain


4.      What do the nurture supporters think about human personality?
a.      Human personalities are developed for a long time
b.      Generic factors play big roles in a person behavior
c.       Our abilities are determined by our biological parents
d.      Our environment plays an important role in our personalities
e.       Our behavior isn’t determined by our surrounding
5.      The main idea of the first paragraph is...
a.      There are two opinions about what determines our personalities
b.      Personalities and behavior are formed by nature and environment
c.       The nature and nurture are two matters that determine our personalities
d.      The environment has no influence on the formation of our personalities
e.       There is conflict between nature supporters and environment supporters
6.      What does the writer think about the controversy above?
a.      It is over now
b.      It has really ended
c.       It will end soon
d.      It is  easily solved now
e.       It will be confusing
Text 3
                Vegetarians, about 3.2% of the US population, do not eat meat. The US Department of Agriculture does not only include meat as part of a balanced diet, but it also states that a vegetarian diet can meet “the recommended dietary allowances for nutrients”
            Many proponents of vegetarianism say that eating meat harms health, wastes resources, causes deforestation and creates pollution. They often argue that killing animals for food is cruel and unethical since non-animal food sources are plentiful.        
            Humans evolved to be primarily vegetarians. Humans do not have the large mouth or long, pointed teeth of carnivores. Human teeth are short and flat for chewing fibrous food. The liver of a carnivore can detoxify the excess vitamin A absorbed from a meat-based diet. The human liver cannot exceed vitamin A.



            It is unnecessary to take an animal’s life when vegetarian options are available. In the US about 35 million cows, 115 million pigs and 9 billion birds are killed for food each year. These animals should not have to die to satisfy an unnecessary dietary preference.
            On the other hand, many opponents of a vegetarian diet say that moderate meat consumption is healthy, humane and that producing vegetables causes many of the same environmental problems as producing meat.
Eating meat is not cruel or unethical. Every organism on earth dies, at some point, so others can live. There is nothing wrong with this cycle; it is how nature works. Humans have been eating meat in their ancestral diet provided a dense form of nutrients and protein that, when combined with high-calorie low nutrient carbohydrates such as roots, allowed us to develop our large brains and intelligence.
Meat is the most convenient protein sources since it provides all 10 essential proteins (amino acids), as well as essential nutrients such as iron, zinc and the B vitamins, in one serving. Most individual plant foods do not provide adequate levels of all 100 essential proteins in a single serving.
In my opinion, meat eaters don’t need to feel guilty. Everything we consume, including vegetables or meat has environmental, ethnical and health consequences.

7.      The proponents of vegetarianism believe that...
a.      Moderate meat consumption is healthful
b.      Killing animals for food is cruel ad unethical
c.       Animals can only be killed in an appropriate way
d.      The liver of a carnivore cannot exceed vitamin A
e.       Humans do not need met to develop their brain
8.      The sixth paragraph is an argument...
a.      Against animal killing for food
b.      For our ancestor’s diet
c.       For meat consumption
d.      For the vegetarianism
e.       Against the vegetarianism
9.      All in all, the writer seems to disagree with the arguments stated by...
a.      The US Department of Agriculture
b.      Proponents of vegetarianism
c.       Opponents of vegetarianism
d.      Animal lovers
e.       Meat eaters
Text 4
Capital punishment is one of the most controversial subjects to be discussed today. This controversy is caused by so many things all over the world having so many different views about it. Capital punishment happens when someone is put to death for a crime, for example murder of drug trafficking. Many people think capital punishment should be reinstated in Britain, but there are just as many people who think that the criminal system is better the way it is.
One important argument against the death penalty is that sometimes an innocent person is put to death. If capital punishment is used, the authorities must therefore have evidence beyond the shadow of any doubt that they have accused the correct person. Furthermore, capital punishment removes all possibilities for a person who has done something seriously wrong to be able to change and to be rehabilitated.
Another strong point against capital punishment is that two wrongs do not make a right. Killing a victim, for instance, and then being sentenced to death do not suddenly make everything all right or make things better. A poor, helpless victim’s life has been stolen from him, but killing the murder will not bring the victim back.
Nevertheless, those who are in favor of the death penalty have many points to justify their stance. Most importantly, it punishes the criminal by doing to him what he did to others. It acts as a form of revenge for the victim’s family by letting them know that the criminal has felt some of the pain he inflicted on another.
Furthermore, capital punishment could act as a deterrent to anyone who ever thought about committing certain crimes because he would know that when he was found guilty, the death penalty awaited him. It can also save money because, instead of the criminal being kept in person for the rest of his life, he is killed.
            After weighing up the arguments for and against capital punishment, I have come to the conclusion that I am for it, and that it is a pity it was abolished in Britain thirty or so years ago

10. What is the subject of this text?
a.      Controversy over death penalty
b.      Some benefits of capital punishment
c.       Abolishing death penalty
d.      Pros and cons over Britain legal system
e.       Some justification to support death penalty

11. From the text we know that some people disagree with capital punishment because...
a.      Killing should be punished with killing
b.      It can prevent people from committing a murder
c.       Innocent people might be put to death
d.      More people will be killed
e.       Killing is not always considered a crime
12. It is implied in the passage that...
a.      No one agrees with capital punishment
b.      The author disagrees with capital punishment
c.       Capital punishment has both good and bad impact
d.      Capital punishment will never prevent people from doing a crime
e.       Britain will never abolish capital punishment from its legal system
13. “One important argument against the death penalty is that sometime an innocent person is put to death.” (par2). The underlined word means...
a.      Not fair
b.      Not care
c.       Not guilty
d.      Inhumane
e.       Not consistent
Text 5
We often see junior high school students go to school by motorcycle on the road. In your opinion, are they feasible to go to school by motorcycle?
Many people do not agree with such conditions. They said that besides it is improper for the students to have a driving license; those students at their age have not been able to control their emotion. They might easily get angry when other road users do something. For example, those kids stop at the wrong place and other road users turn on their horns. Those kids will surely get mad or even say soothing rude.
In addition, their reflexes are not yet well developed. As a result, they are difficult to avoid dangerous things which may cause accidents. Another thing, they do not understand the meaning of traffic signs. This is proved that a lot of motor bikers at their age go speeding violate traffic lights, and so on. This surely harms themselves and other people.

On the other hand, there are some arguments which agree with the students riding motorcycle to schools. They claim that the students will not be tired compared to those who ride bicycles. They also can immediately take curses after school. This certainly cannot be done if the students have to go by bikes or public transports. As conclusion, they say, riding vehicles will make the students more mobile.
In my opinion, it is not worthy enough for junior high school students riding motorcycle. They obviously will endanger themselves and others. Regulation prohibits junior high school students riding motorcycle. They are made for all people. Therefore, the rules must be obeyed by all people.

14. What is the topic of the discussion?
a.      The effect of junior high school students going to school by motorcycle
b.      The argument on junior school students going to school by motorcycle
c.       The increasing number of junior high school students going to school by motorcycle
d.      The reason why junior high school students going to school by motorcycle
e.       The rules for junior high school students going to school by motorcycle
15. Some people agree with the students going to school by motorcycle because...
a.      The students will arrive home early
b.      The students will be smart since they are not tired
c.       Those people cannot afford the students’ daily needs
d.      Those people believe that the students will behave properly
e.       The students are more mobile than the ones who go by bikes
16. What is the conclusion of the text?
a.      Junior high school students should not go to school by motorcycle
b.      Junior high school students are not yet eligible to have driving license
c.       Junior high school students haven’t be able to control their emotions yet
d.      Any road users should drive the vehicles properly
e.       Traffic regulations are made for all road users


Text 6
There are a large number of talent search programmers, shown on television these past few years. The programmers provide opportunities to the society to develop their talents and be popular as their performance will be broadcast on television. Amongst the participants in such programmers are students, whether senior, junior or elementary students. Taking part in talent search programmers may benefit them, but there are also cons for joining talent search programmers
Talent search programmers provide chances for students to explore and develop their talents. Each student has his/her own interest in different areas, some may be interested in singing, dancing, playing music or others areas. Taking part in talent search programmers provide an opportunity for them to excel in other areas, other than academically. They can build up their confidence, train and develop their talent. Such contests also teach them the value of competition. They will learn that those who do not make the mark will be left behind. They should be ready to lose or to win the contests.
On the other hand, talent search programmers are time consuming. They last for months and during this duration, students have to spend much time going for rehearsal and practices for the competition. Thus, they may not focus well on their studies, as their time is devoted to the competition. The students should take their primary responsibility of doing well at school, instead of rushing to take part in such contests. In addition, they may mistake the one moment of glory to be one that should last a lifetime. They might lose interest in their studies and think that such glamorous events promise a good career and huge profits in the future.
Students need to get their priorities right. They should learn to manage their time and attempt to focus on their studies without neglecting their talent development.

17. What is paragraph two about?
a.      The positive sides of participating in talent search programmers
b.      The proliferation of talent search programmers on television
c.       Reasons for not taking part in talent search programmers
d.      A few ways of how students improve their talents
e.       The drawbacks of talent search programmers

18. Talent search programmers are said to disrupt the students’ studies because...
a.      They are broadcast live on television at night
b.      They take much time for the rehearsal and practices
c.       They ignore the participants’ range of age
d.      They don’t select the participant well
e.       They are held outside the school hours
19. Which of the following is the benefit of taking part in talent search programmers?
a.      The participants have a opportunity to perform with famous musicians
b.      There is a guarantee of a lifetime job contract and huge profits
c.       The programmers can help the participants excel academically
d.      The participants can learn the value of competition
e.       The programmers facilities shows abroad
Text 7
I am sure most of you have downloaded music a number of times. Downloading music is one of our favorite activities on the internet. Most of us love surfing websites that facilitate music downloads. Downloading music may make it conveniently available. However, does it have a negative effect on the music industry?
Downloading music makes it readily available to the masses. Music reaches the masses in minutes. When it can be downloaded, music lovers get what they need without struggling for long periods of time. When music becomes available within sometime after its release, it is a real musical treat for those waiting for the release.
When you download music, you save on the costs that would be incurred if you decided to buy it. The original copies of music cost big bucks. If music is downloadable, you are sure to save money and thanks to the facilities of free downloading.
Supporters of music downloading claim that making music readily available contributes to the increased popularity of the artists. The concept of making music available for free downloads has in fact contributed to the fame of the music industry. Being available for download, music reaches the crowd in a relatively lesser amount of time thus boosting its popularity.



On the other hand, though downloading music makes it readily available to the masses, it also makes it spreadable and wide overall. Something that is scarce is precious, while something that is plentiful and easy to get tends to have lesser value.
The practice of downloading music leads to the diminishing sales of music cassettes, CD’S and DVDs. It reduces the sale figures of music companies. It has an adverse effect on the music industry.
Downloading music gives rise to copyright and piracy issues. By downloading music you lose its originality. When you use the copied versions of music, you indirectly encourage piracy. As you download music, you do not go for the purchase of the original copies of music, which may result in an indirect violation of copyright.

20. What is the argument against downloading music?
a.      Downloading music gives rise to copyright and piracy issues
b.      Music lovers get what they need without struggling for long periods of time
c.       By downloading music, we can save on the costs
d.      Making music readily available contributes to the increased popularity of the artists
e.       The concept of downloading music has contributed to the fame of the music industry
21. The seventh paragraph is about...
a.      How to download music from internet
b.      The piracy issues in music industries
c.       The originality of music
d.      The punishment of music piracy
e.       An indirect violation of music copyright
22. What can you infer from the text?
a.      The number of supporters in music downloading is becoming higher
b.      Music lovers always download music from the internet
c.       Downloading music could give us money
d.      Downloading music could lower its royalty
e.       Downloading music could increase sales



Text 8
In the modern era, technology has developed to such a certain degree that scientists are able to create new forms of life. One of them is cloning. The debate whether cloning of animals should be allowed or not seems endless.
Those who agree with animal cloning usually argue that the cells produced from them can be used to stop animals from becoming extinct. They also add that cloning has a purpose to produce high quality of cells
Many species are becoming rarer. Scientists are concerned if they don’t do something to save certain species, these animals will be extinct forever. For this reason researchers have improved cloning technology, so that many rare species can be successfully cloned.
Not everyone is excited about animal cloning. Some people feel that it could have terrible consequences. For example if dinosaurs are cloned, then men could be extinct. It is clear that these ferocious beasts cannot live together with humans. In history, these creatures lived several thousand years before men appeared. Can you imagine these giant killing creatures living within the same era and on the same planet with us?
As a result of this controversy, people still haven’t got the answer yet for animal cloning. Moreover, some members of the scientific community think that the banning of cloning technology will destroy the creativity of science.

23.  The text mainly tells about...
a.      Scientific community who does not agree to animal cloning
b.      Researchers who have successfully developed animal cloning
c.       Species which are threatened to be extinct
d.      Controversy of animal cloning
e.       Kinds of animals which are cloned
24. The main idea of paragraph 2 is...
a.      Animal which will be extinct
b.      Effort to save certain species
c.       Increasing number of rare animals
d.      Reason to carry out cloning
e.       Cloning Scientists who are concerned with rare animals




25. All of these statements are TRUE, except...
a.      Cloning is a creation of new forms of life
b.      Cloning is carried out to stop animals from being extinct
c.       Not everyone is excited about animal cloning
d.      The purpose of cloning is to produce new items and bigger animals
e.       The banning of cloning technology will destroy the creativity of science
26. All of these statements are NOT TRUE, except...
a.      The cloning of dinosaurs is harmless for men
b.      Cloning does not mean to produce high quality of cells
c.       Cloning is dangerous for human beings
d.      Cloning has more advantages than disadvantages
e.       People have not succeeded in animal cloning
27. It is clear these ferocious beasts cannot live together with humans (par 4)
The underlined word means...
a.      Massive
b.      Wild
c.       Tame
d.      Scarce
e.       Numerous
Text 9
Mobile Phones Good or Bad

Everywhere you go nowadays, you see people using mobile phones. From school children to the people, you see them talking in the supermarket, on trains, in the street everywhere.
So what are the advantages of mobile phones? First of all, they are very convenient because you can phone from nearly anywhere. Another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situations.
For example, if you are alone in your car and it breaks down, you can get help quickly. In addition, you can also use your mobile phone to text your friends or connect to the Net.
However, there are disadvantages such as the cost. Mobile phone calls cost more than normal calls. Furthermore, it can be annoying if you are on a train or a bus and you have to listen to someone else’s boring conversation. It happens because people can contact you anywhere, at any time, unless you switch your phone off.
In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I feel mobile phones are a good thing because they give us more freedom and make communication easier

28. What is the text about?
a.      The advantages and disadvantages of having mobile phones
b.      The reasons why people have a mobile phone
c.       How people communicate nowadays
d.      How people use their mobile phones
e.       Mobile phone calls cost
29. “another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situation” (par2)
The opposite meaning of the underlined word is...
a.      Meaningless
b.      Harmless
c.       Useless
d.      Careless
e.       Readiness
30. Why do people prefer using mobile phones to home based telephones?
a.      It has cheaper calls cost than the normal one
b.      They can use it almost anywhere
c.       Mobile phone let them free to talk
d.      Mobile phone are cheap
e.       They can afford it
31. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the text?
a.      Sometime someone disturbs other people when he/she make conversations in a bus
b.      Communicating using a mobile phone may cause traffic accidents
c.       People can use mobile phones to connect to the internet
d.      Not many people use mobile phones recently
e.       Mobile phone ease us to communicate
Text 10
Some schools are giving parents report cards. Every five weeks, parents get a grade on whether their children are doing their homework, on whether the kids are absent too often, and on whether the kids are suitably dressed for school



Some people think it is a good idea. For one thing, a report card would get parents involved in their children’s education. That mean kids would do better in school. Further, a report card might also let parents know what the kids are doing well-and what they are no doing well. It would help them be better parents. Finally when parents get good grades, then they will feel rewarded-just like their kids.
On the other hand, some people don’t think it is necessary. First of all, p[parents should be able to raise their children the way they wants to. Teacher should not be telling their parents how to raise their children because they don’t know the whole story. Besides if a child isn’t doing well in school. It might not be the parent fault. Maybe it is the school fault. Maybe the classrooms are too crowded, or maybe there are not enough books, or maybe the teachers do not teach well. Moreover, some parents would be insulted. It means, if parents got a falling grade, they would feel rather irritated.

32. What is the topic of the text?
a.      Whether parents should get their children’s report card or not
b.      The role of parents for their children’s education
c.       The school’s role to improve children’s education
d.      To raise children is the responsibility of both parents and school
e.       The reward for parents if their children get good grades
33. These are the reason why parents should get report card, except...
a.      Taking part in their children’s education will help them be better parents
b.      With parents’ involvement, kids will do better in school
c.       When parents get good grades, they will fell rewarded
d.      A report card would get parents influence their children’s’ education
e.       A report card may let parents know what the kids are doing well or not doing well
34. People who disagree say that by giving report cards, teachers...
a.      Dictate parents how to raise their children
b.      Will be guilty of the child’s low grade
c.       Should be responsible for the child
d.      Will understand students more
e.       Make parents feel irritated
35. “...it might not be the parents’ fault (par3). The opposite meaning of the underlined word is...
a.      Problem
b.      Trust
c.       Matter
d.      Correction
e.       Mistake
Text 11
Deciding Where to Live

Many young people have difficulties deciding where they will live when the time comes to leave home and make their own way in the world. Among the more common alternatives are sharing a house or flat with other young people and finding full board and lodgings in someone else’s home. Renting a house with other young people offers the advantage of a high degree of freedom and independence. For example you would be free to come and go at times that suit you, without needing to inform anyone that you would not be home for dinner.
On the down side, renting involves a variety of responsibilities that may be more than you wish to take on. For example if you rent a house, you will need to spend time and money maintaining the lawn and gardens. You may also share the legal responsibility for the rent and for damage to the property if your name is on the rental agreement.
Finding board and lodgings, on the other hand, has significant advantages. Generally, you have no responsibility for the cleaning or maintenance of the dwelling or its gardens, other than to take reasonable care of your room. Your meals are usually provided for you, the home is usually more comfortably furnished than you would be able to afford in a rented property and your financial liability is limited to the payment of your fixed weekly amount for board and lodging
However, living in aboard and lodging circumstances has its drawbacks too. You have less freedom and flexibility in your lifestyle, not only in the timing of meals, but also for example, in how loudly you can play your music
In the end, the decision each person makes will depend on their own personal valuing of independence and convenience, as well as their feeling of readiness for taking on the considerable financial and other responsibilities of houses or flat rental


36.  What does the text mainly discuss?
a.      The advantage of renting a house together
b.      The best place for young people t live
c.       The benefit poof finding boarding and lodging
d.      Many alternatives for young people to live
e.       To make a good decision to rent a house or find lodging
37. Which of the following statements is the disadvantage of finding board and lodging?
a.      We have no responsibility for the cleaning and dwelling
b.      We are not in charge for the maintenance of the place
c.       We are lack of freedom in our daily lives
d.      The place is usually more comfortably furnished
e.       We have no problem concerning our meals
38. “Your meals are usually provided for you, the home is usually more comfortably furnished than...” (par3)
The underlined word has more or less the same meaning as...
a.      Conveniently
b.      Perfectly
c.       Clearly
d.      Carefully
e.       Beautifully
39. If you don’t want to bother yourself with your daily meals and only have little time to maintain your living place, what kind of place will you choose?
a.      I prefer living in a lodging
b.      I prefer renting a house with my friend
c.       I  living in an apartment
d.      I prefer staying in a flat
e.       I prefer sharing a flat with my friend