Exercises on Descriptive Text

Prague

Is there any city in Europe, or else, like Prague? There has been a city here for over a thousand years,
and now 2.250.000 people live here. It is most famous for its Gothic and Baroque building styles. Old
Town Square, with its wonderful clock, the Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle on the hill above the
river are just a few of Prague’s famous attractions.

Getting around Prague is easy by tram or underground train but it’s also a pedestrian’s dream
because much of the old quarter and many of the streets and lanes have little or no traffic. The
medieval center is Prague castle and St Vitus Cathedral. An evening view of these illuminated
landmarks is one of the most memorable sights in Europe. Wenceslas Square is in the heart of modern
Prague.

Visiting Prague today, you immediately notice the lively atmosphere. The city can be crowded
during the hot summer months, but it is delight to visit any time of the year, even in the snowy cold of
winter. In fact, tourism makes the largest contribution to Prague’s economy. Classical concerts take
place all through the year, though the biggest event is the Prague Spring International Music Festival
in May and early June. Theatre also has a special place in the life of the city.

The suburbs are like many in Eastern Europe with tall sky crappers and some light industry, but
you are very quickly in the sleepy villages and gentle hills of Bohemia. Many people say Prague
reminds them of Vienna or Budapest. But in fact, Prague is unique. There’s nowhere quite like it.

1. The purpose of the text is …….

a. to inform people about Prague’s beauty

b. to tell people about the history of Prague

c. to present people about the events in Prague

d. to describe the city of Prague and its uniqueness

e. to persuade

2. An evening view of these illuminated landmarks ………..

The underlined word means ……..

a. full of colors

b. full of buildings

c. full of memories

d. full of illusion

e. full of lights
3. The text organization/generic structure for this text consists of ……..

a. general classification – description

b. identification – explanation

c. orientation – events – reorientation

d. identification – description

e. general classification – events

4. The text above belongs to ……..

a. Recount

b. Narrative

c. Explanation

d. Discussion

e. Description

5. The text tells us about ………

a. Europe

b. Gothic building

c. Charles Bridge

d. Prague Castle

e. Prague
 ONE DAY CITY TOUR OF SAWAHLUNTO

Sawahlunto is about 94 km from Padang, 38 km from Batu Sangkar or 137 km from Bukit Tinggi. If
you want to go to Sawahlunto, you can start from any of these three places and take a bus, a taxi or
join a trip arranged by a travel agency. If you start from Padang, you can get to Sawahlunto in two
hours.

If you take a bus from Padang, you will have to pay Rp8.0000. A taxi will cost you Rp. 200.000. If
you join a trip, you will have to pay the travel agency Rp 20.000.At present, The Tourism, Art, and
Culture office of Sawahlunto municipality prepares a tourist package called “One day City Tour of
sawahlunto”. If you take this package, you will be taken around the town on a tourist train, locally
known as dressing, or a tourist bus. A tourist train is available every day at Sawahlunto station. It
starts at 10.00 a.m. and will take you to Muara Kalaban station, which is about 5 km away. This
tourist train can accommodate a maximum of 12 passengers and the return fare is Rp. 75.000.

On the way, you can see the tower of the old electric power plant and will be plunged into darkness as
you enter the 900-meter-long tunnel. If you wish to travel by bus, you can charter a tourist bus. It is
big enough for 25 people and the charter fee is Rp.250.000 The bus will take you around the old town,
visit the living museum, the former open mining pit, and the location of Ombilin Mines Training
College (OMTC) and the grave of Prof M.Yamin in Talawi. When you visit OMTC, you will get
information about mining activities through a simulation system of underground mining. You can also
visit the geological museum and a coal mining laboratory. At the end of your tour, you can buy local
handicrafts as souvenirs.

6. What is the purpose of the text?

a. to persuade readers to visit sawahlunto

b. to describe about a one day tour of sawahlunto

c. to present some point of view about sawahlunto

d. to inform some interesting places in sawahlunto

e. To amuse readers with a one day tour of Sawahlunto

7. The main idea of paragraph six is ……..

a. you can visit the location of omtc

b. the bus is big enough for 25 people

c. you can visit the graves of some heroes

d. the bus will take the visitors to the location of omtc

e. There is a tourist bus available to travel to Sawahlunto

8. Which statement is TRUE according to the text?

a. sawahlunto is located in padang

b. the visitors will pay less if they take a taxi from padang

c. a tourist train is available at sawahlunto station everyday

d. information about the heroes’ graves can be got from omtc

e. taking a tourists bus will be cheaper than taking a tourist train

9. “…….. you can charter a tourist bus” ( Paragraph 6).

The synonym of the underlined word is ……..

a. buy

b. hire

c. ride

d. borrow

e. exchange

10. What is the genre of the text?

a. descriptive

b. narrative

c. anecdote

d. news item

e. procedure

HongKong

n Hong Kong, the students are not always able to answer questions about their country. Although
Hong Kong is their country, they have had little opportunity to go on excursions. Most of them cannot
afford the time or money needed for such trips. Since, they do not know much about Hong Kong’s
history and its culture, they have always had to write to the Hong Kong Tourist Association for
information.

To give such students sound knowledge about Hong Kong, The Tourist Association decided to
start the student ambassador programme. The programme has been carried out for eight years. Young
men and women who are going overseas for further studies are selected to undergo a special course
dealing with the history, culture and lifestyle of Hong Kong.

Through visits factories, government departments and other places of interest, the young people
receive ample information which will enable them to answer a wide range of questions asked by
persons abroad.

11. By reading the text we conclude that it tells about …..

a. the students’ limited knowledge about their own country

b. the hong kong tourist association

c. the students ambassador programme

d. the places of interest in hong kong

e. young men and women who are going overseas

12. The underlined word in paragraph 2 means ………..

a. deep

b. voice

c. useful

d. thorough

e. prosperous

Floating market

he market is called a floating market because the trade takes place on boats – in Indonesia, they are
calledklotok and jukung. This market has existed for over 400 years. In the past, people from inland
areas brought their agricultural produce or handicrafts to sell. They bartered with people from the
coastal areas. Nowadays, people can buy things such as fruit, vegetables, traditional cakes and even
clothes from this ‘pasar terapung’. Another unique feature of these markets is the time of trading. It
begins around 5 a.m. and finishes at 9a.m.

13. The paragraph mainly talks about …….

a. handicraft

b. cakes and cuisine

c. floating market

d. agricultural product

e. unique features of the markets

14. “They bartered with people from the coastal areas”

The underlined word means ……

a. sold something for money

b. exchange goods for other goods

c. sold their belongings to buy something

d. bought something by using money

e. Tried to buy something without money

Shangri-La Bangkok

n the banks of the Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s “River of Kings”, lies a hotel that has already set new
standards of hospitality for this celebrated city. Set in magnificently landscaped tropical gardens, the
Shangri-La Bangkok provides guests with all the charm and warmth of the Orient and, at the same
time, and unsurpassed range of facilities and leisure activities. There is a choice of 12 superb settings
in which to wine and dine, a large free-form swimming pool that overlooks the river, convention and
meeting facilities for up to 2,000 people and a 24-hour business center. And, every single guestroom
and suite, there is a breathtaking view of all the exotic hustle and bustle of the fabled “River of
Kings”. One might expect such a well-equipped and positioned hotel to be miles away from the city
centre, but at the Shangri-La Bangkok the business district and main shopping areas are mere minutes
away. For more than 2000 years, bangkok’s grandeur has been reflected in the waters of the Chao
Phraya. Today, the Shangri-La Bangkok towers beside this majestic river, offers its guests the golden
promise of the East.

15. The text mainly focuses on ….

a. Bangkok’s grandeur

b. Shangri-La Bangkok

c. Bangkok’s River Kings

d. The water of the Chao Phraya

e. The majestic river in Bangkok

16. Which statement is true?

a. Shangri-La Bangkok is set exclusively

b. Shangri-La Bangkok is far from business area

c. The large swimming pool overlooks the mountainous area

d. The convention and the meeting facilities can occupy more than 2000 people

e. The tower beside the majestic river offers its guests the silver promise of the east

17. The communicative purpose of the text is ….

a. to describe Chao Phraya

b. to retell events for entertainment

c. to tell the luxury of Shangri-La Bangkok

d. to present at least two points of view about an issue

e. to inform readers, listeners, or viewers about events of the day

18. In the second paragraph, the writer describes ….

a. the location of Shangri-La

b. the golden promise of the East

c. the reflection of Bangkok’s grandeur

d. the parts, the qualities and characteristics of Shangri-La

e. the distance of Shangri-La Bangkok to business district

19. The underlined word in paragraph means …..

a. flow

b. current

c. steam

d. movement

e. water-course
Singapore

ingapore is a city state; it is a city but it is also a state. It is a republic. Along with Indonesia,
Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei, it belongs to ASEAN, the Association of South-East
Asian Nations.

Like Indonesia, Singapore is a country of “Bhineka Tunggal Ika”. Chinese, Malays, Indians and
Eurasians make up its citizens. Other Asians, including Indonesians, Japanese, Philippines, Koreans,
Thais and Arabs also live on that tiny island. Singapore is sometimes called “Instant Asia” because
you can see varieties of customs, cultures, and foods of nearly all Asia in Singapore.

20. The text mainly talks about Singapore as ….

a. a nation

b. an island

c. a republic

d. a city state

e. a member of ASEAN

21. Singapore’s citizen consists of …..

a. Brunei, Indians

b. Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Eurasians

c. Chinese, Thais and Arab

d. Eurasians and Philippines

e. Asians and Arabs

22. “….. Koreans, Thais and Arabs live on that tiny island.” (Paragraph 2)

The underlined word may be replaced by “very ….”

a. cute

b. huge

c. small

d. broad

e. narrow
Roman

ith its famous Roman baths, its eighteenth century architecture, and its many museums, bath is one of
the most beautiful cities in the country. It also has a large number of interesting shops and street
markets, excellent hotels, cafes and many good restaurants.

In the summer there are lots of places to eat outside. You can enjoy walking around the small
streets, or you cab see the city from the water, with a boat cruise on the river Avon. But don’t take
your car into the city center-parking, that is impossible in Summer.

23. The purpose of the text is …..

a. to inform about a place

b. to describe a particular place

c. to tell how wonderful something is

d. to share amusing story to readers

e. to amuse readers with a beautiful object

24. Bath is very ……..

a. annoying

b. miserable

c. wonderful

d. uninteresting

e. advantageous

25. ” ……. From the water, with a boat cruise

on the river Avon.” (paragraph 2). The underlined word means ……

a. trip

b. liner

c. drive

d. travel

e. enjoyment
Paris

aris is the capital of a European nation, France. It is also on of the most beautiful and famous cities in
the world.

Paris is called the City of Light. It is also an international fashion center. What stylish women
are wearing in Paris will be worn by women all over the world. Paris is also famous for its world
center of education. For instance, it is the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The Seine River divides the city into two parts. Thirty-two bridges cross this scenic river. The
oldest and perhaps the most well known in Pont Neuf was built in the sixteenth century. Sorbonne, a
famous university, is located on the left bank (south side) of the river. The beautiful white church
Sacre Coeur lies on the top of a hill called Montmartre on the right bank (north side) of the Seine.

There are many other famous places in Paris, such as the famous museum the Louvre as well the
cathedral of Notre Dame. However, the most famous landmark in this city must be the Eiffel Tower.

Paris is named after a group of people called Parisii. They built a small village on an island in
the middle of the Seine River about two thousand years ago. This island is called Ile de la Cite. It is
where Notre Dame located. Today around eight million people live in the Paris area.

26. The fifth paragraph tells …….

a. about Paris

b. the origin of the word Paris

c. the location of Notre Dame

d. a village built thousand years ago

e. an island in the middle of the seine River

27. What is the oldest and most well known part of the city?

a. The seine river

b. The Pont Neuf

c. The Sorbonne

d. The right bank

e. The left bank

28. From the text, we know that Notre Dame is located …..
 a. on the left bank

b. near the Louvre

c. on the right bank

d. outside the city of Paris

e. in the middle of the seine River

My Favourite Teacher

veryone has a favourite teacher, someone who we feel a special connection with. In primary school,
my favourite teacher was Ms. Nuraini. I was not such a good pupil, but just looking at Ms. Nuraini
made me feel that I was going to learn.

Ms. Nuraini was 45 years old and rather short about 1.50 meters. Since I’m short too, I always
feel a bit nervous with tall teacher who tower menacingly over me. It was reassuring to be around Ms.
Nuraini. Also, I always enjoy the fragrance of the herbs that she grew in our classroom.

On the top of her round head, Ms. Nuraini always wore a colorful headscarf with an intriguing
design. This, plus her warm smile, brightened the lessons in her classroom. However, the best part of
her face was her kind eyes that said to her students, ”I care deeply about you.”

Ms. Nuraini usually wore bright long sleeve blouse that went well with her coffee-color skin. She
did not wear much jewelry, just a simple Casio watch on her left hand and a ruby red ring on the ring
finger of her right hand. The other ‘decoration’ on her hand came from types of ink from whiteboard
markers and other sources.

On most days, Ms. Nuraini wore loose-fitting pants. Finally, on her feet, she often had brown
closed-toe shoes with just a slightly raised heel that made a peculiar ‘clip-clop’ sound as she walked.
These low-heeled shoes made it easy for Ms. Nuraini to walk briskly around the classroom to help us
when we were doing group activities.

I can still feel her friendly touch on my shoulder as she stood listening carefully to our group or
explaining something that none of us could figure out.

29. The type of the text above is …….

a. descriptive

b. narrative

c. discussion
d. explanation

e. Exposition

30. The purpose of the text is ……..

a. to tell what happened with Ms. Nuraini

b. to describe how Ms. Nuraini looks like

c. to tell someone how to make favorite teacher

d. to entertain the reader with Ms. Nuraini

e. to report about Ms. Nuraini’s life

31. The orientation of the text can be found in paragraph ………

a. 3

b. 4

c. 5

d. 1

e. 2

32. The text tells us about …….

a. the favorite teacher

b. Ms. Nuraini and her characteristic

c. Ms. Nuraini’s life

d. the favorite teacher’s characteristic

e. The favorite teacher and Ms. Nuraini

33. “On top of her round head, Ms. Nuraini always wore a colorful headscarf with an intriguing
design.” The underlined word means …..

a. very exciting

b. very amazing

c. very interesting
d. very surprising

e. very wonderful

Romi is really a wonderful guy.

He sings very well and he’s handsome. You see, he’s tall and bright-skinned. When he smiles, he
looks very,very charming with his pearly white teeth. He’s also well built. In fact, he goes to gym
regularly. You would say the same thing about him, wouldn’t you ?

34. What kind of text is it ?

a. report

b. explanation

c. commentary

d. newsitem

e. descriptive

35. The communicative purpose of the text is…

a. to give comment on Romi

b. to describe Romi in detail

c. to explain all about Romi

d. to describe the way things are

e. to tell about events of the day

36. The generic structure of the text is ….

a. newsworthy event>background events> sources

b. general statement>stepped explanation

c. identification >descriptions

d. general statement>sequenced explanation

e. general classification>descriptions
37. What does the word “You” refer to ?

a. Romi

b. the writer

c. I

d. the reader

e. he

38. What kinds of tenses is used in the text ?

a. past tense

b. past future tense

c. present tense

d. future tense

e. present perfect tense

39. When does Romi look so charming ?

a. when smiling

b. when singing

c. when doing gym

d. when walking

e. when talking

Situated among tropical gardens right by the sea, the Sanur Beach Hotel offers a friendly atmosphere.

The accommodation comprises tastefully furnished air conditioned rooms with mini bars, baths,
showers, and balcony and patio. For those who prefer extra privacy, they are some elegant Balinese
style bungalows around the gardens.

Other facilities include three restaurants 24 hours coffee shop and swimming poll, tennis and
badminton court and shopping arcades. Water sports including windsurfing and sailing, can be
arranged from the beach.

40. The text is possibly part of …

a. A report

b. A manual

c. A brochure

d. A job vacancy

e. An encyclopedia

41. Which of the followings is not true about the hotel?

a. It provides water-sport

b. It has a swimming pool

c. Every room is air conditioned

d. It has a restaurant and coffee shop

e. Beautiful garden are surrounding it

42. Which facility is not provided in the hotel?

a. A theater

b. A restaurant

c. A coffee shop

d. A swimming pool

e. A badminton court

43. The accommodation comprises tastefully furnished air condition rooms. (Paragraph 2).

This suggests that the room have the following qualities, EXCEPT …

a. They are cold

b. They look nice

c. They have furniture

d. They are expensive

e. They are comfortable