MATERI 1 AFTER UTS SEM1-XII-2324

Text 1
There appears to be increasing numbers of children who specialize in a single sport at an
early age. The lure of a college scholarship or a professional career can motivate young
athletes to commit to specialized training regimens at an early age. However, the American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding specializing in one sport before puberty.

_Once puberty begins, both boys and girls go through their adolescent growth spurt (AGS).
The change and the age at which they occur can have an impact on a child’s sports
performance. Going through this can have a significant impact on athletic performance in
both positive and negative ways. Increases in body size, hormones, and muscle strength
can improve athletic performance. Nevertheless, there may be a temporary decline in
balance skills and body control during the AGS. Quick increases in height and weight
affect the body’s center of gravity. Sometimes, the brain needs to adjust to this higher
observation point. As a result, a teen may seem a little clumsy.

_This phase is especially noticeable in sports that require good balance and body control
(e.g. figure skating, diving, gymnastics, basketball). In addition, longer arms and legs can
affect throwing any type of ball, hitting with a bat, catching with a glove, or swimming and
jumping. Coaches that are aware of the AGS can help reduce athletic awkwardness by
incorporating specific aspects of training into practice sessions.

1. The word “lure” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ….

A. plan
B. illusion
C. chance
D. appeal
E. thought

2. The word “this” in paragraph 2 refers to ....

A. age
B. impact
C. puberty
D. change
E. occurrence

3. Which sentence is closest in meaning to the last sentence in paragraph 3?

A. By designing training founded on the knowledge of AGS, trainers can be more
aware of possible difficulties in sports.
B. With practice that prevents children from performing awkwardly, trainers can
assist children through this growth phase.
C. To help children perform with more ease, trainers should consider the effects
of puberty when designing a training routine.
D. Without considering the physical changes undergone by children, trainers
cannot prevent them from having difficulties when training.
 E. Since identifying potential problems during children’s phase of AGS is
necessary to eliminate clumsiness, trainers can do this before training begins.

4. The most appropriate title for this passage is ....

A. adolescent Growth Spurt and Sport
B. effects of Puberty on Sports Performance
C. the Rising Popularity of Sports among Children
D. the Impact of Poor Balance and Body Control
E. the Side Effects of Specializing in Sports on Children

Text 2

Uranus, the first planet discovered in modern times, was named after the Greek deity, the
earliest supreme God. It was discovered by William Herschel while systematically
searching the sky with his telescope on March 13, 1781. It had actually been seen many
times before but ignored as simply another star. The earliest recorded sighting was in 1690
when John Flamsteed classified it as 34 Tauri. Herschel named it “the Georgium Sidus”
(the Georgian Planet) to honor his patron King George III of England. Others called it
“Herschel”. The name “Uranus” was first recommended by Bode, but it was not commonly
used until 1850. Uranus has been visited by only one spacecraft, Voyager 2 on Jan 24,
1986.

_Most of the planets spin on an axis nearly perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic, but
Uranus’ axis is almost parallel to the ecliptic. At the time of Voyager 2’s passage, Uranus’
south pole was pointed almost directly at the Sun, so Uranus’ polar regions receive more
energy input from the Sun than do its equatorial regions. Uranus is nevertheless hotter at its
equator than at its poles. The mechanism underlying this is unknown.

_Actually, there’s an ongoing battle over which of Uranus’ poles is its north pole. Either its
axial inclination is a bit over 90 degrees and its rotation is direct, or it’s a bit less than 90
degrees and the rotation is retrograde. The problem is that you need to draw a dividing line
somewhere because in a case like Venus, there is little dispute that the rotation is indeed
retrograde (not a direct rotation with an inclination of nearly 180).

5. The tone of the author is best described as ….

A. serious
B. amused
C. objective
D. admiring
E. optimistic
 6. This passage would probably be assigned reading in which of the following course?
A. physics
B. geology
C. astrology
D. astronomy
E. geography

7. The following statements are true, except ....

A. Uranus is the name of a greek Good.
B. Uranus was once considered a star.
C. Urasanus has been known by different names.
D. a spacecraft travelled to Uranus in the 1980s.
E. Uranus was first seen in the sixteenth century.

8. What can be inferred about Uranus’ orbit and rotation?

A. The Sun’s energy does not reach Uranus’ polar regions
B. Uranus’ orbit is parallel to the plane of the ecliptic
C. why Uranus’ equator is hotter than its poles is unknown
D. scientists still need to do more research on Uranus’ orbit and rotation
E. the rotation of Uranus is direct at one time and retrograde at other times

9. What is the author’s purpose in writing this text?

A. to show that people are still confused about Uranus
B. to inform people that Uranus has a unique orbit and rotation
C. to educate people on the importance of the exploration of Uranus
D. to argue that Uranus was discovered earlier than other planets
E. to present information about the discovery, orbit, and rotation of Uranus

Text 3

Raising children now is more challenging than it was 30 years ago. Currently, one of the
most 10 ... aspects of raising children is the amount of time they spend in front of screens,
whether it is TV or gadgets. When children focus their attention onto a screen, it is a very
passive form of learning or entertainment. Instead of using their own imaginations to learn
about the world and 11) ... something, children are passive recipients of visual and auditory
stimulation that may or may not require some response using fine motor skills. However,
this is a very artificial way of learning about the world and does not engage children in a
kinesthetic manner using their entire bodies.

_Imaginative and creative play is a more natural way for children to learn about the world
and does involve the whole body. Children manipulate and touch various play materials.
They express themselves through play both verbally and non-verbally. They use all of their
muscles and senses to move around. Actively using their large and small muscles as well as
12) ... in play, children develop healthy, strong, and complete neurological connections in
their brains.
_Children play imaginatively and creatively in various different ways based on many
factors such as age, play environment, and toys provided. They can engage in imaginative
and creative play by themselves or with others. Imaginary play happens when children use
their imaginations to 13) ... They can engage in this type of play using small toy figures,
puppets, dolls, or stuffed animals. They can also act out a particular role themselves and
become a part of a play drama. Often, dressing up and using props will be part of this kind
of imaginary play.

_This type of play releases energy and develops coordination. All in all, children who
engage in active imaginary play are more creative. This is because playing in make-believe
worlds requires imagination to conceive of the world differently to its current reality,
which is also necessary to think creatively.

10. ....
A. concern
B. concerns
C. to concern
D. concerned
E. concerning

11. ...
A. create
B. creates
C. created
D. creating
E. creation

12.
A. their left brain
B. their different senses
C. moving all parts of their bodies
D. their creative ideas
E. producing sounds and rhythm

13.
A. create pretend and make-believe scenarios
B. pretend create and make-believe scenarios
C. make-believe scenarios and pretend create
D. make-believe pretend and create scenarios
E. scenarios make-believe pretend and create
14. The italic phrase in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ....
A. related to
B. founded on
C. as of
D. with reference to
E. in accordance with

15. “Moreover, active play happens when children use their large muscles and move
around rather than stay in one place.” should be ....
A. the last sentence in paragraph 1
B. the first sentence in paragraph 2
C. the first sentence in paragraph 3
D. the last sentence in paragraph 3
E. the first sentence in paragraph 4