SMART CENTER INDONESIA

READING COMPREHENSION
READING COMPREHENSION

Text for number 1 - 5

We believe the Earth is about 4.6 billion years old. At percent, we are forced to look to other bodies
in the solar system for hints as to what the early history of the Earth was like. Studies of our moon,
Mercury, Mars, and the large satellites of Jupiter and Saturn have provided ample evidence that all
these large celestial bodies had formed. This same bombardment must have affected Earth as well.
The lunar record indicates that the rate of impacts decreased to its present low level about 4 billion
years ago. On Earth, subsequent erosion and crustal motions have obliterated the craters that must
have formed during this epoch.

Scientists estimate the Earth’s age by measuring the ratios of various radioactive elements in rocks.
The oldest Earth’s rocks tested thus far are about 3 1/3 billion years old. But no one knows whether
these are oldest rocks on Earth. Tests on rocks from the moon and on meteorites show that these are
about 4.6 billion years old. Scientists believe that this is the true age of the solar system and probably
the true age of the Earth.

1. Inline 6 (paragraph 1), the word “obliterated” means.

A. created
B. destroyed
C. changed
D. erosion

2. According to this passage, how do scientists estimate the age of the Earth?
A. By measuring the ratios of radioactive elements in rocks.
B. By examining fossils
C. By studying sunspots
D. By examining volcanic activity

3. Scientists estimate the age of the earth as …

A. 4 billion years old.
B. 3 1/3 billion years old.
C. 4.6 billion years old.
D. 6 billion years old.

4. Which of the following processes led to the obliteration of the craters formed by the
bombardment of the Earth by the celestial bodies?
A. Volcanic activity
B. Solar radiation
C. Gravity activity
D. Crustal motions

5. According to the passage, why are scientists forced to look at other bodies in the solar system to
determine the early history of the Earth?
A. Human alteration of the Earth.
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READING COMPREHENSION
B. Erosion and crustal motions.
C. Solar flares.
D. Deforestation and global warming.

Text for number 7 - 9

Throughout history, people have been victim of pickpockets. Today, pick pocketing is the one of the
most rapidly increasing crimes. Pickpockets are increasing in number and developing better methods
to practice their skill. Approximately one million Americans lose money to pickpockets every year and
none is really safe from a skilled pickpockets. His victims, or ‘marks’ as they are called, can be rich or
poor, young or old.

During the eighteenth century, pickpockets were hanged in England, large crowds of people would
gather watch the hanging, which was supposed to be a warning to other pickpockets. however, in
time the practice was discontinued. The reason; while people were attentively watching the hanging
of a pickpockets, other pickpockets skillfully stole the money of spectators.

Police official say that the most efficient pickpockets come from south America. many of these expert
pickpockets are trained in special school called ‘jingle bell schools’. A pickpocket’s graduate from J.B.S
when he is able to steal a wallet from a dresses dummy that has bells inside its pockets.

Even the most well dressed, respectable person may be a pickpocket. Some of the favorite places of
pickpockets are banks, airports, racetract, supermarkets, elevators and train and bus station.
oftentimes, a pickpocket will work with another pickpockets as his partner. Another kind of
pickpockets works outside or inside bars and specialize in stealing from women is called a ‘purse
snatcher’.

To avoid being the victim of a pickpocket, it’s important to be very cautious and alert when in the
midst of large gathering of the people.

6.The best title for the passage would be:

A. Pickpockets are well dressed

B. Jingle Bell Schools

C. Pickpockets

D. The hanging of pickpockets

7.The hanging of pickpockets was not continued because:

A. They were large crowd of people

B. It was against humanity

C. The police were not at the hanging

D. It was not effective to stop pick pocketing

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READING COMPREHENSION
8. Pick Pocketing is…crime

A. An old

B. A modern

C. A temporary

D. A contemporary

9. The passage mentions that pickpockets steal in/from the following, except.

A. Crowded places

B. The shops

C. Drunkards

D. Women

Text for number 10 – 14

Solar is popping up just about everywhere, even landfills and parka pockets. So why not roads? The
Netherlands built the first solar road, a bike path, in 2014. France announced a bolder move in
January—over the next five years, it plans to install 1,000 kilometers of solar roads, designed to
supply power to five million people. That’s not all. Idaho-based Solar Roadways has received three
rounds of U.S. government funding with an additional $2 million in venture capital to test its
technology.

The tempered-glass panels offer asphalt-like traction, support the weight of semi-trucks, include LEDs
for signage, and contain heating elements to melt snow and ice. Could solar panels really pave the
roads of the future? Proponents see endless possibilities, but others raise questions about cost,
efficiency, and durability. The sheer amount of surfaces each country devotes to roadways is
enormous.

Allowing this space to double as a solar farm could have very positive implications in the battle to put
a halt to climate change. They estimate that their panels, if used in lieu of existing U.S. roads and
walkways, could produce more than three times the electricity used in the United States. Besides,
they say their panels could charge electric vehicles, first on solar parking lots. With enough solar
highways and cars with the right equipment (to pick up energy from induction plates in the road) they
might even be able to charge vehicles while moving.

“Aside from road dust, particularly black tire dust and diesel exhaust, which will quickly cover a
portion of each panel, the continuous traffic covering panels will reduce their solar output,” says
Jacobson, adding they’ll likely suffer more wear and tear and need more repairs than other solar
panels. Despite high costs, company chairman Peter Harrop says solar roads might work in places that
are putting down roads for the first time. “They need early technology adopters like China that want
to leapfrog in development.”

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READING COMPREHENSION
10. What is the main subject of the passage?

A. Bike paths
B. Solar panels
C. Solar roads
D. Chinese interstate systems

11. In line 4 (paragraph 1), the author uses the expression “That’s not all” to indicate that?

A. The Netherlands was the only country involved

B. France and the Netherlands worked together
C. He has no further examples
D. France and the Netherlands aren’t the only ones who have integrated solar roads

12. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “rounds” in line 5 (paragraph 1)?

A. Ammunition
B. Times
C. Circles
D. Praise

13. The word “proponents” in line 3 (paragraph 2) refers to…

A. Foe
B. Detractor
C. Enemies
D. Advocates

14. According to the passage, what would happen if all US roadways and sidewalks became solar?

A. The US would triple its electricity production

B. Americans would use three times as much electricity as they do today
C. American electricity companies would lose 33% of their profits
D. The US would charge customers triple to use the road systems