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
