READING COMPREHENSION

READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.

POLITICAL PARTIES
A Political Party is a group organized to support certain policies or questions of public interest. The aim of
political party is to elect officials who will try to carry out the party’s policies. The questions may range
from issues of peace, war and taxes to how people should earn a living. A large political party usually has
millions of members and supporters. When people in a democracy disagree about what the government
should do, each voter expresses his opinion by voting for the candidate that supports his side of the
agreement. Newspapers, radio and television have a strong influence on political parties. The parties use
radio and television to hold public opinion.
Some countries have only one party, and others have many. In Cuba and China, there is only one
party: the Communist party. One party rule is also common in much of Africa and Latin America. Under
such a system people who do not agree with the party in power cannot express their objections by voting
for another party.
The countries where two or more parties have the right to compete with each other in elections
are the democracies. Democracies usually operate under either a two-party or a multi-party system. Many
European countries have multi-party system. Among there are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy,
Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. Because of the number of the competing parties, it is sometimes
difficult for any one party to get a clear majority of the votes. Indonesia operates under a multi-party
system.

1. What is a political party?

2. What is the aim of a political party?

3. What has a strong influence on political parties?

4. Mention some countries have multi-party system?

5. In one-party rule, can people express their objections by voting for another party?
6. Why is it sometimes difficult for a party to get a clear majority of the votes?

7. Suppose you live in democracy, what will you do if you do not agree with the government’s policy?
8. In you opinion, how are the political parties in Indonesia? Elaborate your answer.
Fill the blanks with the correct words provided in the box.
a. absolute b. appoint c. election d. coalition e. committee
f. conservative g. debate h. democratic i. ideology j. left-wing
k. revolution l. solidarity

1. Indonesia in one of the ……………..countries in Asia.

2. To achieve the goal, some small parties form a ………….

3. After a long …………. Paul was chosen captain in the football team

4. In politics, we prefer evolution to ………………..

5. We must …….. the members of the committee

6. An ………… leader need not ask anyone for permission to do anything

7. Old people are usually more ….. than young people

8. The result of the …………. shows that Mr. Hasan was supported by all of the participants
9. The ………… has to make the decision as soon as possible

10. In our country there is no ……… party

Rearrange the following stages of the carrying out of the General Election so that they are in good
order. Put the number before each stage.

A. Votes are counted

B. The number of candidates who will be elected is fixed
C. Names of candidates for members of the House of Representatives (Central and Local) are
submitted.
D. The electors are enrolled
E. Swearing and promoting by elected members of the People Consultative Assembly and the
House is carried out
F. Personal data of the candidates are examined
G. Result of the General Election is fixed
H. Names of the candidates are fixed and listed orderly
I. List of the candidates is announced
J. Campaign is carried out
K. Names of the contestants and their symbols are submitted
L. Election is carried out