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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA FINAL EXAMINATION

COURSE COURSE CODE EXAMINATION TIME

CONSOLIDATING LANGUAGE SKILLS/ PREPARATORY ENGLISH BEL120/100 MARCH 2012 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TP CANDIDATES 1. 2. 3. 4. This question paper consists of two (2) parts : PART A (10 Questions) PART B (1 Question) Answer ALL questions from both parts in the Answer Booklet. Start each answer on a new page. Do not bring any material into the examination room unless permission is given by the invigilator. Please check to make sure that this examination pack consists of: i) the Question Paper ii) an Answer Booklet - provided by the Faculty

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This examination paper consists of 7 printed pages
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PART A: READING (15 MARKS) Read the text below and answer all the questions.

Sumo wrestling is one of the oldest forms of martial arts in Japan, and it is still a major sport that is populr with both men and women there. In ancient times, sumo contests were held only in the courtyards of Shinto shrines as a religious ritual performed for the gods to encourage them to grant a good harvest. Ritual is, therefore, an important part of the sport. Before each 5 match, contestants sprinkle salt on the ring and rinse their mouths in a ritual purification. Nowadays, sumo wrestling contests are held in gymnasiums, Convention centers and Stadiums.

II

At first glance, sumo wrestling seems to be a strnge sport with big, fat wrestlers wearing diaper-like aprons, shoving each other inside a tiny ring. Contrary to its appearance, sumo wrestling is a sport that requires not only strength, but also speed and agility, which heavy-set people usually do not possess. The wrestlers try to push each other out of the ring or down on the floor. Before actual physical contact, the wrestlers will stare at each other for minutes to break the concentration of the Opponent. The fight usually lasts for only a few seconds but sometimes it can go on for two to three minutes. The objective of a sumo bout, however, is not to injure the Opponent, but to simply eject the other man from the arena, or cause some part of the body other than his feet - or even a fingertip - to touch the floor. In fact, if some blood spots the floor of the ring during a match, the bout has to stop until every trace of blood has been meticulouslv removed. 20 15 10

III

The size of the wrestler is also important. The heavier the wrestler, the lower his center of gravity, and thus the harder to toss him out of the ring. In order to put on weight and build up body mass, sumo wrestlers eat a large amount of food including a high-protein stew, and they go to bed right after eating. 25 The heaviest sumo wrestler on record was 225 kilograms. Despite their large size and heavy weight, sumo wrestlers are well-trained athletes. They live in special sumo stables, following extremely strict rules and besides having

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their physical workouts, they have to complete other necessary chores. The wrestlers practise a lifestyle that is completely dedicated to the sport. To 30

them, sumo is not only a sport; it is a whole way of life. This positive dedication has encouraged the Japanese to adopt them as role modeis.

IV

Hierarchy is a central aspect of sumo wrestling. Rankings depend on winning records. A sumo wrestler's ranking depends solely on the number of matches he wins during official tournaments. The more matches a wrestler wins, the quicker he can move up the rankings. Once a wrestler moves up to the top rank, he is not supposed to lose at all. He is expected to retire if he is unable to maintain his winning record. In fact, if a grand champion's losses 35

outnumber his wins during the course of these tournaments, he will fall from the top ranks and will be expected to retire like the rest. 40

Today's professional sumo wrestling has its roots in the Edo period. The wrestlers during this period were mainly samurais who needed an alternative form of income. Even the wrestling ring can be traced back to the 16th Century Edo period. In earlier times, the fighting space was simply the area given to the wrestlers by spectators. In the 16th Century, an important warlord 45 named Oda Nobunaga introduced the ring in a tournament he organized. It is a platform 4.55 meters in diameter and 16.26 Square meters in area made of clay mixed with sand set on top of rice straw bales. Despite sumo wrestling's archaic rituals and traditions, the sport continues to draw new fans and growing international interest. Hundreds of sumo wrestlers of various nationalities compete to earn comfortable livelihoods, participating in matches not only in Japan, but in Europe, North America and Britain. Grand Champions attain celebrity Status and enjoy the intense adoration of dedicated fans. Present day sumo wrestlers consist of anybody who is interested in the sport and professional wrestlers come from all walks of life. 55 50

VI

Nevertheless, as a sport, sumo is not without controversy. It has been criticised as discriminatory since participants are limited to men only. There is a rule which prevents women from being sumo wrestlers and another which prohibits them from entering the wrestling ring altogether. These barriers

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exist because the Japanese believe women's presence in the ring will violate 60 its purity. Sumo wrestling, being a religion-originated sport in which traditions are strictly observed, is unlikely to undergo drastic changes in the near future. It will probably be a long time before one can see a female sumo wrestler.

Adapted and retrieved from : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo www.japan-guide.com/e/e2080.html www.sumowrestling.com Answer the following questions in compiete sentences where appropriate.

1) What do the following word and phrases in the passage refer to? a) its b) thebout (line 11) (line 20)

c) these tournaments (line 39) d) These barriers (line 59) (2 marks)

2) Give the meanings of the following words as they are used in the passage:

a) ritual (line 5)

i)

ceremony

ii) eulture

iii) competition

b) meticulously (line 21)

i) quickly

ii) carefully

iii) accurately

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c) dedicated (line 54)

i) traditional d) violate (line 60)

ii) varied

iii) devote

i) not allow

ii) make worse

iii) go against (2 marks)

3) Write T if the Statement is true and F if the Statement is false.

a) Many sumo fights last more than 3 minutes. b) The audience view bleeding in the sumo wrestling ring as acceptable and normal. c) A losing top ranking wrestler is discouraged from fighting again. d) Despite discrimination against women in the sumo wrestling ring, Japanese women are fans of the sport. (2 marks)

4) Why do sumo wrestlers try to put on weight? (1 mark)

5) Why are sumo wrestlers considered as good role modeis for the Japanese? (1 mark)

6) What is the topic sentence of paragraph IV? (1 mark)

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7) The word 'Despite' in line 48 links two ideas. What are the two ideas? (1 mark)

8) Why does the author think that sumo wrestling is unlikely to have drastic changes? (1 mark) 9) What must a good sumo wrestler have in order to win a match? i) strength A. i, ii, and iii B. ii, iii and iv C. i, ii and iv D. All of the above (1 mark) 10) Fill in the blanks with Information from the passage. The Development of Sumo Wrestling Through the Ancient, Edo and Present Periods ii) agility iii) concentration iv) big body mass

ASPECTS

ANCIENT

EDO

PRESENT

a) Venues

(Information not available)

b)

The wrestling ring

c)

The first wrestling ring was introduced by the warlord, Oda Nobunaga - details not provided in text.

d)

e) Purpose of contest

fl

To eam comfortable livelihoods

(3 marks)
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PART B: WRITING (15 MARKS) QUESTION 1

Since Facebook has become a favourite social network site among teenagers, they should be made aware of the ethics and dangers of using this site. Write an essay of about 230-250 words on what an Internet user should be carefui of when using Facebook. You may use the following points: He/She should be carefui about (i) revealing personal Information.

(ii) posting inappropriate pictures. (iii) making sensitive/rude comments.

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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