PERSONAL ASSIGNMENT 2

(WEEK 4 / SESSION 5)
(120 minutes)
Resource: LN and PPT Week 3, 4 Session 4, 5

ERWIN SETIAWAN – 2301928370

A. Reading Skill 3 and 4 (10 Points)

Study the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow.

Theodore Dreiser

[1A] Theodore Dreiser, the American author best known for the novel Sister Carrie
(1912), introduced a powerful style of writing that had a profound influence on the writers that
followed him, from Steinbeck to Fitzgerald and Hemingway. [1B] It was in Sister Carrie that
Theodore Dreiser created a fictional account that laid bare, the harsh reality of life in the big city
and in which Dreiser established himself as the architect of e new genre. [1C]
Dreiser was born in 1871 into a large family whose fortunes had in the recent past taken a
dramatic turn for the worse. Before Theodore’s birth, his father had built up a successful factory
business only to lose it to a fire. [4A] The family was rather abruptly thrust into poverty, and
Theodore spent his youth moving from place to place in the Midwest as the family tried
desperately to reestablish itself financially. [4B] He left home at the age of sixteen. [4C] After
earning some money, he spent a year at Indiana University but left school and returned to
Chicago, yearning for the glamour and excitement that it offered. [4D] At the age of twenty-two,
he began work as a reporter for a small newspaper in Chicago, the Daily Globe, and later worked
on newspapers in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Saint Louis, and New York City. In his work as a
reporter, he was witness to the seamier side of life and was responsible for recording events taht
befell the less fortunate in the city, the beggars, the alcoholics, the prostitutes, and the working
poor.

[5A] Dreiser first tried his hand at fiction by writing short stories rather than novels, and
the first four short stories that he wrote were published. [5B] Based on this, he was encouraged
to write a novel that would accurately depict the harsh life of the city, and the novel Sister Carrie
was the result of his effort. [5C] This novel chronicles the life of Carrie Meeber, a small-town
girl who goes to Chicago in a quest for fame and fortune. [5D] As Carrie progresses from factory

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worker to Broadway star by manipulating anyone in her path, Dreiser sends a clear message
about the tragedy of life that is devoted purely to the quest for money.

Sister Carrie, unfortunately for Dreiser, did not achieve immediate success. [7A] The
novel was accepted for publication by Doubleday, but Dreiser was imeediately asked to make
major revisions to the novel. [7B] When Dreiser refused to make the revisions. Doubleday
published only a limited number of copies of the book and refused to promote or advertise it.
[7C] Published in limited release and without the backing of the company, the novel was a
dismal failure, selling fewer than 500 copies. [7D]

After the failure of the novel that was so meaningful to him, Dreiser suffered a noervous
breakdown; he was depressed, stricken with severe headaches, and unable to sleep for days to
end. Having sunk to a point where he was considering suicide, he was sent by his brother to a
sanatorium in White Plains, New York, where he eventually recovered. [10A] After leaving the
sanatorium, he took a position as an editor for Butterick’s. [10B] He was successful in this
position, and was eventually able to purchase a one-third interest in a new publishing company,
B. W. Dodge, which republished Dreiser’s novel Sister Carrie. [10C] This new release of the
novel proved considerably more successful than the first release had been. [10D] In its first year,
the reissued version of Sister Carrie sold 4,500 copies, with strong reviews, and the next year it
sold more than 10,000 copies. The recognition that accompanied the success of the novel was
based not only the power of the description of the perils of urban life but also on the new trend in
literature that Dreiser was credited with establishing.

Questions
1. Look at the three squares [ ] that indicate where the following sentence can be added to
paragraph 1.
This forceful first novel set a new path for American novels at the turn of the last
century.
Choose the appropriate square [1A]/ [1B]/ [1C] to add the sentence to the passage.

Answer: [1B]

2. Which of the sentences below explresses the essential information in the first highlighted
sentence in paragraph 2?
Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A. Dreiser’s family had formerly been rich before it had become poor.
B. Dreiser was, unfortunately, born into a overly dramatic family.
C. The fortunes of Dreiser’s family had recently increased.
D. Members of Dreiser’s family suffered from the serious effects of a disease.

Answer: A

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3. Which of the sentences below expresses the essential information in the second highlighted
sentence in paragraph 2? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave
out essential iformation.
A. Dreiser served as a witness in a number of trials that involved beggars, alcoholics, and
prostitutes.
B. Dreiser observed and wrote about the poorer classes as part of his newspaper job.
C. In New York City, during Dreiser’s time, there were many people who were less
fortunate than Dreisers.
D. Dreiser’s work involved working with beggars, alcoholics, and prostitutes.

Answer: D

4. Look at the four squares [ ] that indicate where for following sentences can be added to
paragraph 2.
At this young age, he moved alone to Chicago and supported himself by taking odd
jobs.
Choose the appropriate square [4A]/ [4B]/ [4C]/ [4D] to add the sentence to the passage.

Answer: [4C]

5. Look at the four squares [ ] that indicate where for following sentences can be added to
paragraph 3.
It was rather unusual for a novice writer to achieve so much so quickly.
Choose the appropriate square [5A]/ [5B]/ [5C]/ [5D] to add the sentence to the passage.

Answer: [5B]

6. Which of the sentences below expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence
in paragraph 3? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out
essential iformation.
A. Dreiser devoted his life primarily to trying to become rich.
B. In Dreiser’s novel, Carrie succceeds by moving from a low-level job to stardom.
C. Dreiser used one of his characters to demonstrate the negative aspects of lust for money.
D. Dreiser tried to warn Carrie that she was taking the wrong path in life.

Answer: B

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7. Look at the four squares [ ] that indicate where for following sentences can be added to
paragraph 4.
These changes were intended to tone down some of the starker and more scandalous
descriptions.
Choose the appropriate square [7A]/ [7B]/ [7C]/ [7D] to add the sentence to the passage.

Answer: [7B]

8. Which of the sentences below expresses the essential information in the first highlighted
sentence in paragraph 5? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave
out essential iformation.
A. Dreiser recovered from an attemppted suicide at a sanatorium.
B. Dreiser’s brother went to a sanatorium after attempting suicide.
C. After being sent to a sanatorium, Dreiser considered committing sucide.
D. Dreiser’s brother stepped in to help Dreiser after Dreiser became depressed.

Answer: D

9. Which of the sentences below expresses the essential information in the second highlighted
sentence in paragraph 5? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave
out essential iformation.
A. In Dreiser’s novels, he recognized the power of urban life and new trends that existed in
it.
B. The success of Dreiser’s novel went unrecognized because it represented such a new
trend in literature.
C. Dreiser credited his urban upbringing and literaly background for the success that his
novel achieved.
D. Dreiser achieved acclaim because his writing was so powerful and because he established
a new trend.

Answer: D

10. Look at the four squares [ ] that indicate where for following sentences can be added to
paragraph 5.
This company was one that published magazines to promote sewing and the sale of
clothing patterns.
Choose the appropriate square [10A]/ [10B]/ [10C]/ [10D] to add the sentence to the
passage.

Answer: [10B]

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B. Listening Skill 3 (4 Points)

Listen to each passage and the questions that follow. Then choose the best answers to the
questions.

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-4)

Listen as a student talks to a librarian.

1. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

Why does the librariansay this:

A. To show that he is busy with someone else
B. To indicate that he is ready to help
C. To question why the student is there
D. To demonstrate that he is bothered by the question

Answer: B

2. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

What does the librarian mean when he says this:

A. He does need to know the age of the magazine.
B. He does not know why the student asked the question.
C. He wants to know why the question was asked.
D. He is not sure why the student needs the magazine.

Answer: A

3. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

Why does the student say this:

A. She does not remember what she just said.
B. She realizes that she had just interrupted the professor.
C. She recognizes that she has just said something incorrect.
D. She does not understand what the librarian just said.

Answer: C

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4. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

What does the librarian mean when he says this:

A. His services are free of charge.
B. He has a lot of free time.
C. He wants the student to feel relaxed.
D. He is always eager to help.

Answer: D

C. Listening Skill 4 (6 Points)

Listen to each passage and the questions that follow. Then choose the best answers to the
questions.

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-2)

Listen as an advisor discusses a student’s course load with the student.

1. Listen again to part of the discussion. Then answer the question.

How does the student seem to feel about taking the maximum number of courses?
A. It is too much work.
B. It is the best thing to do.
C. It is only done when necessary.
D. It is required in graduate school.

Answer: B

2. Listen again to part of the discussion. Then answer the question.

Which sentence best expresses what the advisor might say to the student?
A. “You really need to work harder in your classes.”
B. “Graduate schools prefer students who take a lot of classes.”
C. “You should do better work in fewer classes.”
D. “It’s important for you to take more classes.”

Answer: C

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PASSAGE TWO (Question 3-4)
Listen to a conversation between two students.

3. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

How does the man seem to feel about the assignment?
A. It will be interesting.
B. It will be worth the effort.
C. It wll be impossible to do.
D. It will take a lot of effort.

Answer: D

4. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

Which sentence best expresses how the woman feels about the assignment?
A. This assignment will be enjoyable.
B. It will be so hard to do this assignment correctly.
C. The assignment will take too much time.
D. It will be enjoyable to respond to the survey questions.

Answer: A

PASSAGE THREE (Question 5-6)

Listen to a conversation between two students and lecturer.

5. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

Then answer the question.

A. It is too simple.
B. It is remarkably effective.
C. It is overly embellished.
D. It is unnatural.

Answer: C

6. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.

Which sentence best expresses how the student seems to feel about the assignment?
A. “This sounds like a very creative assignment.”
B. “It always helps to do your best.”
C. “This is too complicated to do.”
D. “This isn’t one of my specialities.”

Answer: A

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D. Writing: Agree Disagree Essay (80 Points)

Individually, write at least 300 words agree/ disagree essay based on the following topics:
“Do you agree or disagree that taking an online course is less effective than the traditional or
regular class? Give some reasons and examples to support your writing”. Write at least 5
paragraphs covering: introduction, main, and closing parts.

Note: font Times New Roman 12 and line spacing 1.5

My Essay:

A. INTRODUCTION
The development of highly advanced technology in the modern era and globalization
make it possible various activities to be carried out quickly and efficiently. The development of
technology has a lot of influence on our way of life, such as shopping online, we only need to
relax at home to buy the things we want. The progress of science and technology, especially
information technology also has a positive impact on the progress of the world of education, be it
formal, Informal, and non-formal can enjoy information technology facilities from simple to
sophisticated. Computer and internet technology, ranging from software and hardware, provides
many offers and choices for education to support the learning process of students The advantages
offered are not only in the speed factor to get information, but also multi-media facilities that can
make learning more interesting through visuals interactively. In line with the development of
internet technology, many learning activities can be carried out by utilizing this technology.

The learning process that occurs in some schools usually still uses traditional methods
where teaching materials are delivered through face to face, both verbally and non-verbally, the
use of technology in schools such as computers, and other multimedia tools is limited to certain
learning materials that need them . With the development of computer and internet technology
this was born the method of E-Learning, which is learning or learning through the use of
computer technology and the internet, open / distance learning is a distance learning model,
where teachers / trainers and students are not in one place and same time, and not face to face
physically directly.

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B. MAIN
E-Learning is an approach to learning through computer devices that are connected to the
internet, where students strive to obtain learning materials that meet their needs. At present the
E.-Learning System can be used in courses and formal lectures. This system is used to overcome
limitations between educators and students, especially in time and space. So it does not have to
be in one dimension of time and space, meaning that it can be anytime and anywhere the
teaching-learning process can be done.

My personally very agree with the online learning / lecture process like in Binus
University, because with the online lecture I can continue my education and gain knowledge in
the midst of my busy work. After one semester I attended e-learning in binus many of the
knowledge I learned, but actually in online lectures the knowledge we get depends on our
willingness and hard work, if we are lazy and only pursue a degree, then that's what we can get
while our knowledge can be only slightly. Whether or not effective online lectures at Binus
University depends on the individual, why? Here is my opinion about the Binus Online learning
system:
1. Discussion Forum, I agree with the discussion forum. In my opinion the discussion forum
is very effective as a substitute for face-to-face classes, the drawbacks should be a
separate supervision or assessment related to the forum, because many students only copy
paste answers from the internet, in fact many answers are exactly the same between one
another (there needs to be a special supervision and assessment).
2. Vcon (Video Conference), I agree that the Video Conference system is very effective,
The drawback, the lecturer should be giving impromptu questions to the designated
students, this ensures that students read the material and study it.
3. Assigment, assignments are evaluations of learning, I agree with this, but the drawback is
why some courses increase group assignments rather than individual assignments. I don't
think it's fair to multiply group assignments, because maybe there are some people who
don't do it or just do it carelessly. but if the results of the assignment are good, then the

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 grades are good too. My opinion for assignments is individual assignment 4 and group
assignment 2 (for example such as an English course), this really helped me learn.
4. Quiz, like assignments, quiz is an evaluation of learning, I agree with this. In my opinion
it is good and very effective.
5. Final Exam, like assignments and quizzes, this is the final evaluation of the learning
period, I very agree with the Online exam, but in my opinion it needs to be improved for
the online exam, because from my case personally taking the online exam is very uneasy
and when antivirus popups automatically appear to be considered fraud. My suggestion is
that there should be an improvement in the online exam system, if it isn't perfect, it
should be held onsite.

My opinion above is my experience while attending an online learning at Binus

University, My personally very agree and happy with online learning, for example like in Binus
University, because it really helps me who is busy with office work, it's just that there needs to
be an increase in the delivery of material, assessment of discussion forums and assignments, as
well as improvements to the existing online examination system.

C. CLOSING
As a way out for people who are busy working or entrepreneurs but want to continue
studying or increase knowledge, then my suggestion is to be able to study and continue studying
in the online learning binus, because with a flexible system, students can interact with the
lecturer without any time and place restrictions. Face-to-face attendance in classrooms will still
be carried out, but it is limited to activities that are case discussions in Discussion Forums and
Video Conference. For learning material likened to a regular class, so thus online learning
students are ensured to have the same quality as students doing the lecture system in general.

My Personally have been taking lectures for one semester and I feel happy to be able to
study again, the methods available are very flexible and effective to add insight and knowledge
amid my busy work.

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