READING ASSIGNMENT 1

Instruction: Read the historical recount text below and do the exercises!

YOUTH PLEDGE

On October 28th 1928 in Jakarta, youths from across Indonesia held the Indonesian Youth
Congress. The congress marked the official assembly to push for the independence. The pledge,
which proclaimed unity of homeland, nation and language, laid the foundation for a unified
Indonesia, and guided the country through its tumultuous founding years.
Before the pledge and the youth congress, there was an education-based organization named Budi
Oetomo in 1908. The date of its launch is commemorated as National Awakening day for
Indonesians today. Since Budi Oetomo, more youths are eager to start a youth movement, even
though they are still tightly clutched to fellows of their own tribe.
A Javanese man named Satiman started the beginning of a youth movement in Java named Tri Koro
Darmo, a student association that recruits native students from across Java. The named then
changed into Jong Java on order to expand their recruitment to Madura, Bali and Lombok (who
speak different languages, but still within extension of Java island) Jong Java held many congresses
to spread the importance of youth role to the society. Their main goal is to eradicate illiteracy, so
the youth can be open minded to the world outside of their cocoon
Since Jong Java’s formation, youths from other tribes started their own associations: Jong
Batak, Jong Minahasa, Jong Celebes, Jong Ambon, Sekar Rukun, Jong Islaminten Bon, Pemuda
Kaum Betawi (Betawi Youths) and more. The emergence of these associations brought up the
initiative to gather their thoughts in a mass assembly.
The First Youth congress was then held from April 30 th to May 2nd. Unfortunately, each
association was still bound to their provincial ego which prevents them from uniting. So at the second
Youth Congress, from October 27th to 28th, they gathered again on the basis of being in the same
boat and going for the same goal. The congress ended with the declaration of youth pledge,
along with the first hearing of Indonesia Raya – the future National Anthem.
I. Match the words part A that you think is synonymous with the words in part B!

PART A

Congress Meet Tied up Carried out

Formal Juvenile Ethnic Group Vow

PART B

1 Youth Pemuda

2 Pledge Sumpah

3 Held Menyelenggarakan

4 Assembly Pertemuan, perkumpulan

5 Official Resmi

6 Tribe Suku

7 Gather Berkumpul

8 Bound Terikat
II. Choose the right paragraph for the following main ideas.

The event of second youth congress

The founding of Indonesian first nationalist organization

The activities of youth movement in Java

The background information about Youth Pledge

The role of Jong Java to trigger formation of young association in

some regions

III. Choose the most correct answer based on the text you have read

NUMBER 1

Why the event of Youth Pledge is important for Indonesian History?

A. It marked the provincial struggle for independence

B. It was a sign for official unity to achieve independence
C. It was a valuable declaration of youth associations
D. Indonesia needs it for regional movement
E. It was the first moment when Indonesia Raya performed

NUMBER 2

What actually could prevent the failure of the 1st Youth Congress?

A. Avoiding unity
B. Ignoring diversity
C. Leaving provincial ego
D. Declaring Independence
E. Starting youth movement
NUMBER 3

Which word in the text that has similar meaning to the word “ethnic group”?

A. Fellow
B. Tribe
C. Youth
D. Assembly
E. Association

NUMBER 4

The information about the first nationalist organization in Indonesia can be found in paragraph ….

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

NUMBER 5

“The congress marked the official assembly to push for the independence” The underlined word can
be best replaced
with the word ….

A. Vow
B. Juvenile
C. Formal
D. Illegal
E. Tribal