CONFIDENTIAL 1 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

COURSE : INTEGRATED LANGUAGE SKILLS I /

INTEGRATED LANGUAGE SKILLS: LISTENING
COURSE CODE : ELC121/120
ASSESSMENT : READING TASK
TIME : 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This question paper consists of three (3) parts: PART A (2 Questions)

PART B (2 Questions)
PART C (1 Question)

2. Answer ALL questions in the Question Paper.

3. Fill in the details below:

UiTM STUDENT CARD NO. : _________________________________________

PROGRAMME / CODE : _________________________________________

PART : _________________________________________

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUP : _________________________________________

NAME OF LECTURER : _________________________________________

4. Do not bring any material into the examination room unless permission is given by the invigilator.

5. Students are allowed to refer to a printed English-English dictionary.

6. Please check to make sure that this assessment pack consists of:

i) the Question Paper

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This reading task paper consists of 10 printed pages

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CONFIDENTIAL 2 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

PART A: READING COMPREHENSION (17 MARKS)

Read the following passage and answer all the questions that follow.

Tsunami
I A tsunami is a series of ocean waves that sends surges of water sometimes
reaching heights of over 100 feet onto land. These walls of water can cause
extensive destruction when they crash ashore. These massive waves are
typically caused by large undersea earthquakes at the tectonic plate boundaries.
When the ocean floor at the plate boundary rises or falls suddenly, the 5
movement causes disturbance to the sea surface triggering rolling of waves
known as tsunami.

II Most tsunamis happen within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire”. This is a
geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes
common. Tsunamis may also be caused by the underwater landslides and 10
volcanic eruptions. They may even be caused by the impact of a large meteorite
plunging into the ocean. Tsunamis race across the sea at up to 805 kilometres
an hour. At that pace, they can cross the entire breadth of the ocean in less than
a day.

III In deep ocean; the tsunami waves may appear to be a foot or so high. However, 15
as they approach the shoreline and enter shallower water, the waves
significantly increase in energy and height. The tops of the waves move faster
than the bottoms causing them to rise rapidly. A tsunami’s trough, the low point
beneath the wave’s crest, often reaches the shore first. When it does, it
produces a vacuum effect that sucks the coastal water seaward and exposes 20
the harbour and sea floors. This retreating of sea water is an important warning
sign of a tsunami, because the wave’s crest and its enormous volume of water
typically hit shore five minutes or so later. Recognising this phenomenon can
save one’s life.

IV A tsunami is usually composed of a series of waves, called a wave train, so its 25

destructive force may be merged as consecutive waves reach the shore. People
experiencing a tsunami should remember that the danger may not have passed

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CONFIDENTIAL 3 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

with the first wave and should wait for the official announcement by the authority
declaring that it is safe to return to the affected locations. Some tsunamis do not
appear on shore as massive breaking waves, but instead resemble a fast 30
surging tide that floods coastal areas.

V Just like other water waves, tsunamis begin to lose energy as they rush
onshore while part of the wave energy is reflected offshore. Meanwhile, the
shoreward spreading wave energy is lessened through bottom friction and
turbulence. Despite these losses, tsunamis still reach the coast with tremendous 35
amount of energy. Depending on whether the first part of the tsunami to reach
the shore is a crest or a trough, it may appear as a rapidly rising or falling tide.
Local geographical land formations may also cause the tsunami to appear as a
series of breaking waves.

VI Tsunamis have great erosion potential, stripping beaches of sand that may have 40
taken years to accumulate and undermining trees and other coastal vegetation.
Capable of submerging hundreds of metres inland past the typical high-water
level, the fast-moving water associated with the overflowed tsunami can crush
homes and other coastal structures. Tsunamis may reach a maximum vertical
height onshore above sea level, often called a run-up height, of tens of metres. 45
The best defence against any tsunami is an early warning system, which allows
people to seek higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning System, a coalition
of 26 nations headquartered in Hawaii, maintains a web of seismic equipment
and water level gauges to identify tsunamis at sea. Similar systems are
proposed to protect coastal areas worldwide. 50

Adapted from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-

disasters/tsunamis/

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CONFIDENTIAL 4 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

QUESTION 1 (13 MARKS)

a) What do the following words and phrases refer to?

i) This (line 8) Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire"

: _____________________________________

ii) it (line 19) A tsunami's through

: _____________________________________

iii) that (line 31) waves

: _____________________________________

iv) they (line 32) tsunamis

: _____________________________________
warning system
v) which (line 46) : _____________________________________

(5 marks)

b) Write the meaning of each of the following words as used in the passage.

usually
i) typically (line 4) : _______________________________________
spread
ii) breadth (line 13) : _______________________________________

iii) retreating (line 21) receding

: _______________________________________
immersing
iv) submerging (line 42) : _______________________________________

(4 marks)

c) Write T if the statement is TRUE or F if the statement is FALSE.

i) All tsunamis occur within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire”. F

ii) Tsunami waves in shallower water are higher than in deep water. T

iii) People can immediately return to their homes after the first wave. F

iv) Warning Systems, like the one in Hawaii, are suggested to be used around T
the world to identify tsunamis at sea.

(4 marks)

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CONFIDENTIAL 5 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

QUESTION 2 (4 MARKS)
Complete the table with information from the passage.

Tsunamis

 Large undersea earthquakes

Main Causes  Underwater landslides
a) _______________________________

 Volcanic eruptions
b) _______________________________

 Large meteorite plunged into the ocean

 A series of fast-moving ocean waves

Characteristics  They begin to grow in energy and height when
approaching the shoreline
 rush
They c) ____________________ as they reach onshore.

Effects  Strip beaches of sand

 Undermining trees and other coastal vegetation
d) ____________________________________
 Crush homes and coastal structures

(4 marks)

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CONFIDENTIAL 6 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

PART B: READING COMPREHENSION (13 MARKS)

Read the passage below and answer all the questions that follow.

What are Superfoods?

I Superfoods are nutrient-rich food, considered to be especially beneficial to

health and well-being. The different categories of superfood are plant-based,
selected fish and dairy products. Blueberries, salmon, kale and acai are just a
few types of foods that have garnered the "superfood" label. According to the
American Heart Association, there is no one set criteria in identifying what 5
superfood should be.

II These food vary in nutrients, such as antioxidants and healthy fats, which are
thought to avoid cancer and heart disease respectively. The fibre content in
superfoods is believed to prevent diabetes and digestive problems. Another
substance, phytochemicals, found in superfood plants which are responsible for 10
deep colours and smells, have numerous health benefits. Consuming foods that
are packed with nutrients like superfoods is certainly a good idea. However, the
key to a healthy diet is to consume a variety of nutritious foods in the right
quantities.

III Scientists claim that the use of the term "superfood" is largely a marketing tool. 15
Still, manufacturers rely heavily on marketing tactics to shape the public's
perception of their products. For example, Royal Hawaiian Macadamia Nut
urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make a claim linking the
consumption of macadamia nuts to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
The FDA responded by releasing a carefully worded statement noting that 20
consuming 1.5 ounces of macadamia nuts per day as part of a low-fat and low-
cholesterol diet could potentially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Therefore, in order to market their products, the macadamia nut industry took
that to the press and it was received well by consumers.

IV Another criticism on superfood is that it might be healthful but how the food is 25
processed might not be. For example, freshly brewed green teas have several
antioxidants while commercially manufactured green teas are high in sugar.
Many kinds of popular "super-juices" squeezed from acai berry, noni fruit and

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CONFIDENTIAL 7 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

pomegranate can also include large amounts of added sugar. Similarly, whole
grains are often processed so that they are more palatable. Instant whole-grain 30
oats are as unhealthy as overly processed white bread. They quickly spike
sugar levels in the bloodstream once consumed, promoting insulin resistance,
obesity and diabetes.

V The superfood industry claims that its nutrient-rich foods have the capacity to
positively affect health. This could mislead consumers, prompting them to eat 35
one kind of food over another. Despina Hyde, a dietician with the weight
management program at New York University's Langone Medical Centre
encourages her clients who are trying to lose weight, to eat everything in
moderation. This is because, when these foods are labelled as 'super' and
'healthy’, people tend to think that they can eat them in unlimited quantities. 40
Hence, they must be cautious of the amount of food they eat to avoid gaining
weight.

VI Superfoods might be a good entry into healthy eating but having variety in one’s
diet is important to gain the benefit of eating a wide array of essential vitamins
and minerals. It is also to prevent one from eating too much or too little of a 45
particular nutrient. There are lots of healthy foods out there to explore, even if no
one is calling them "super."

Adapted from https://www.livescience.com/34693-superfoods.html

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CONFIDENTIAL 8 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

QUESTION 1 (11 MARKS)

a) What are superfoods?

Superfoods are nutrient-rich food, considered to be especially beneficial to
______________________________________________________________________
health and well-being.
______________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)
b) State the functions of the following nutrients found in superfoods?
To avoid cancer and heart disease respectively
i) antioxidants : _________________________________________________________
To prevent diabetes and digestive problems
ii) fibre : _________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

c) Write the topic sentence of paragraph IV.

Another criticism on superfood is that it might be healthful but how the food is
______________________________________________________________________
processed might not be.
______________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

d) What is the similarity between instant whole-grain oats and overly processed white
bread?
The similarity between instant whole-grain oats and overly processed white bread
______________________________________________________________________
is whole grains are often processed so that they are more palatable.
______________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

e) What does Despina Hyde encourage her clients to do in order to lose weight?
Despina Hyde encourage her clients to do in her order to lose weight, to eat
_______________________________________________________________________
everything in moderation.
_______________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

f) Based on the text, why is it important to have variety in one’s diet?

Diet is important to gain the benefit of eating a wide array of essential vitamins
_______________________________________________________________________
and minerals.
_______________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

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CONFIDENTIAL 9 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

g) The word ‘However’ in line 12 connects two ideas. What are these two ideas?

i) Consuming foods that are packed with nutrients like superfoods is certainly
__________________________________________________________________
a__________________________________________________________________
good idea.

ii) the key to a healthy diet is to consume a variety of nutritious foods in the right
__________________________________________________________________

quantities.
__________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

h) In your own words, explain the meaning of the following phrase: “Still, manufacturers rely
heavily on marketing tactics to shape the public's perception of their products.” (lines 16-17)
They continue to rely extensively on marketing strategies to affect public perceptions
___________________________________________________________________
of their products.
___________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

QUESTION 2 (2 MARKS)
Do you think manufacturers should be penalised for overclaiming superfoods’ benefits?
State your reason.
No, because superfoods have a lot of benefits.
_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

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CONFIDENTIAL 10 LG/JAN 2021/ELC121/120 (SET 1)

PART C: GRAMMAR (10 MARKS)

Fill each blank with ONE suitable word.

Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment resulting
(0) from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste.
than
Researchers have generally referred to pieces of plastics smaller (1) __________ about
5mm as microplastics. Another way of describing this is to measure plastics relative to the
to
units. So microplastics are between one micrometer (2) _________ 1,000 micrometers wide.

harmful
Microplastics have turned up pretty much (3) ______________ that researchers have looked
for them from the bottom of the oceans to the stomachs of whales, seabirds and humans.
We should be worried about this plastic diet both in terms of our health and for the health of
the
(4) ___________ environment. Those who eat, breathe air and share in the occasional drink
found
of water are unwitting consumers of microplastics. Microplastics are also (5) __________ in
triangular nylon tea bags and people who utilise them are also at risk from consuming
over
plastics. One study revealed that they could be getting (6) ____________ eleven billion
particles of plastic with their tea.

use
There are general concerns about the (7) ______________ of microplastics on the
environment, especially towards marine wildlife. These animals might get entangled in the
over
pieces of plastic while some plastics may even end up in (8) __________ stomachs as well
as litter the coastlines. There is evidence that plastic accumulating in the stomachs of
animals can also suppress their appetite.

However
(9) ____________, it is important for everyone to play their part in reducing the usage of
plastics by cutting out unnecessary plastic use, including single-use items, and substituting it
where we can. In addition, researchers too can start focusing more on studies that
investigate the varying concentrations of particle sizes of plastics that are
harmful
(10) _____________ to humans and wildlife instead of doing more research on which
products that emit plastics.

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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