Soal ulangan harian discussion

Some people agree with the rule because it indicates students’ mastery of the whole material or the
competence they have ntanaged to have over the past three years. The result of the final exam is also
significant for students’ future study in the higher level.

In addition, we are far left behind by our neighboring countries that have implemented a higher
graduation gracle standarcl. If the standard is omitted. then student will get left behind even furlher by
those students fiom neighboring cottntries students.

However, some other people believe that imposing a high standard will not be etfective. The results of
the exams have proven to be unreliable. How can you asses the students’ competence only in a couple
of days. A smart student for example, may get a low grade just because he is sick during the exam. On
the other hand, an idle student may achieve the standard due to luck. There should then be an
alternative way to the national exam.

Despite working on different points of view, the government’ this matter in the hope of getting a better
s relating party are intenselY solution upon improving the Hish-School raduates’qualit

2. What is the writer’s position in the controversy of graduation standardizatton?

A. The writer does not take side.

B. The writer follows the government’s policy.

C. The writer is strongly against it.

D. The r,vriter supports it.

E. The writer opposes it.

3. “The implementation of the new graduation standard evoked people to bring different responses.”
(Paragraph 1)

The underlined word is closest in tneaning to .. ..

A. created

B. reminded

C. examined

D. gained
E. got

Contoh Bacaan Soal Discussion Text 3

There are a lot of discussions as to whether children should be given homework or not.

Some people claim that children do enough work in school already. They also argue that children have
hobbies that they want to do after school, such, as sports or music. A further point they make is that a
lot of homework is pointless and doesn’t help the child learn at all.

However, there are also strong arguments against this point of view. Parents and teachers argue that it
is important to find out whether children can work on their own

without the support from the teacher. They say that the evening is a good time for children to sit down
and think about what they have learned in school. Furthermore they claim that the school day is too
short to get anything done that needs doing and it makes sense to send home tasks like independent
reading or further writing tasks that don’t need teacher’s support.

On balance, I think that some homework is a good idea but that it should only given at the weekend
when children have more time.

4. How do we compare the second and the fourth paragraph?

A. Both paragraphs argue that homework is necessary for students.

B. Unlike the fourth paragraph, the second paragraph argues that homework is unnecessary.

C. The second paragraph supports that students need homework, but the fourth paragraph does not.

D. The second paragraph and the fourth paragraph argue that students do not need homework.

E. The second and the fourth paragraphs do not say anything about the benefit of homework.

5. How many reasons are presented by those who are against homework?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

E. 5

6. Those who are pro homework think that the students can … in the evening.

A. prepare for the next lesson

B. review their lessons

C. enjoy their pastime

D. do their hobbies

E. test themselves

7. “A further point they make is that a lot of homework is pointless and doesn’t help the child learn at
all.” (Paragraph 2)

The underlined word is synonymous with …

A. terrible

B. careless

C. difficult

D. unimportant

E. uninteresting

8. What is the writer’s suggestion about homework?

A. Homework is pointless.

B. Homework is badly needed.

C. Homework should be given at weekend.

D. Student should not be given homework.

E. Student must frequently have homework.

Contoh Bacaan Soal Discussion Text 4

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium, which is a metal mined in various parts of the world. The
first large-scale nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England, in 1956.

Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engines. Nuclear power produces
around 11% of the world’s energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It causes no pollution
as you’d get when burning fossil fuels.

The advantages of nuclear is as follows:

(1) It costs about the same as coal, so it’s not expensive to make.
(2) It doesn’t produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it doesn’t contribute to the greenhouse effect.

(3) It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount uranium.

(4) It produces small amounts of waste.

(5) It is reliable.

On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many
years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be
spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident can be a major disaster.

People are increasingly concerned about this. In the 1990’s nuclear power was the fastest growing
source of power in many parts of the world. In 2005, it was the 2nd slowest-growing.

9. The text discusses …

A. nuclear in general

B. nuclear biggest station

C. the danger of radioactive

D. the disadvantages of nuclear power

E. the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power

10. The opposite of dangerous is … (Paragraph 4)

A. vile

B. dull

C. tiny

D. calm

E. safe

11. Why is nuclear power very dangerous?

Because …

A. its radioactivity lasts long

B. uranium is renewable

C. it is reliable
D. it is cheap

E. it is safe

12. Which statement is TRUE about nuclear?

A. It is reliable.

B. It is costly to make.

C. It causes air pollution.

D. It affects the greenhouse.

E. It produces small amount of energy

Contoh Bacaan Soal Discussion Text 5

Two students were discussing the school’s new rule that all the students must wear a cap and a tie One
of them showed her annoyance. She said that wearing a cap and a tie was only suitable for a flag rising
ceremony. So, she was against the rule.

Contrary to the girl’s opinion, the other student was glad with it. He said that he didn’t mind with the
new rule because wearing a cap and a tie will make the students look great and like real educated
persons. The first student gave the reasons that they would feel uncomfortable and hot. Moreover, the
classrooms were not air conditioned. The second said it wasn’t a big problem.He was sure that the
students would wear them proudly. They would surely be used to it any way.

14. The two students are discussing …

A. the facilities in school

B. their homework

C. their uniform

D. their friends

E. their family

15. The boy said that he agreed with the new rule in his

school.

Which statement shows his agreement?

A. He was not annoyed.

B. He would not obey the rule.

C. He didn’t care of the rule.

D. He didn’t like wearing a cap and tie.

E. He didn’t mind wearing a cap and tie.

16. The boy believed that all students would …

A. have a high spirit to study

B. solve their own problems

C. care for their environment

D. follow the new rule,

E. feel uncomfortable

17. “One of them showed her annoyance …” (line 3)

The underlined word is close in meaning to …

A. responsibility

B. displeasure

C. agreement

D. applause

E. response

Contoh Bacaan Soal Discussion Text 6

Gift card Bring Advantages and Disadvantages

Gift cards become more popular during recent years. For example, in one holiday season, sales can
reach USD19 billion in united Stated and it is seen to grow more in the following season due to their
convenience in the side of consumers and retailers.

In retailer?s side, gift cards bring them some benefits. Selling gift cards is simply selling product. When
the cards are sold, they will get benefit. Gift cards tend to be a matter of image and trend, which means
it is not strictly influenced by the functionality. Since sending gift cards is a trend, the sales will increase
significantly.

However, there are potential disadvantages in the side of consumers. For example, iTune gift cards
apply process in the way of completing the shopping. They need to do one step to another step in
processing the shopping. Likely, most of the steps need time and date of validity or expiration. When
certain step loses that validating date, the gift cards may be in risk. The card can be rejected to redeem.
Again, in retailers side, producing card it self is costly. It means that there is additional cost which
retailers have to pay.

In whatever thing, we need to be wise, if we can use that gift.

18. How do gift cards bring some benefits to retailers?

A. by influencing customers to merchant

B. by adding some costs producing them

C. by completing the shopping process

D. by applying purchasing process

E. by selling the products

19. Paragraph 3 of the text is mainly about ……

A. the trend of gift cards

B. popularity of gift cards

C. benefit obtained by the retailer

D. the convenience of using gift cards

E. disadvantages in side of consumers

20. We know from the text that if the gift cards are rejected, the retailers ……

A. will be wise

B. will get lose

C. will get profit

D. will be in risk

E. will return
Contoh Bacaan Soal Discussion Text 7

Study groups are commonly utilized by many student to prepare themselves for class discussions,
examinations, or class presentation. They can also make use of it to review their weak points and learn
new ideas. I myself find that we can learn more effectively in a study group. However, I can’t deny that
study group have also some disadvantages.

On the positive side a study groups gives the students motivation to study and update their readings
because other members likely give them encouragement. It also helps them to learn new ideas as well
as important points they missed on their readings so I could also share something.

On the other hand, the disadvantage of a study group is the part of compelling the student to attend it
after class or during their free time. Commitment among each member is also an important aspect in a
study group.

Hence, the members of a study group to set aside other activities to study together.To Join a study
group or not is the student’s own choice, because there are other students who learn better when they
do it on their own. If student thinks he/she will be learning effectively in group, he/she had better go
on and enjoy the fun way of learning.

21. Some students are motivated to study in a study group because the other members likely …

A. Give them better ideas.

B. Come up with important ideas.

C. Are clever than them.

D. Solve the problem.

E. encourage them to study.

22. The writer finds it necessary to join a study group because…

A. He knows study groups have also some disadvantages.

B. He should update his readings.

C. He can learn things more effectively.

D. The members in his group are open minded.

E. His friends have more knowledge compared to him.

23. From the text, we know that…

A. A study group has nothing to do with reading ability.

B. The members have to sacrifice their time for their study group.

C. The writer doesn’t think a study group useful for him.

D. An agreement made to study regularly in a study group isn’t necessary.

E. A study group is always useful for every-body.

Do Teenagers Really Need a Mobile Phone? Nowadays, mobile phones are becoming an extremely
popular electronic for people. They are also becoming more technologically sophisticated; most can take
and share pictures and videos and connect to the Internet for web surfing. Many teenagers are
becoming cell phone owners, however. It’s debatable whether a teenager actually needs a mobile
phone, but mostly they will say that a phone was essential to their happiness and social standing.
Without a mobile phone, the average teenager is unable to function–they can’t talk to their friends and
life just isn’t worth living. But before you give in and rush off to buy your petulant teenager a brand-new
iPhone, read the following list. One of the reasons of letting a teenager have a mobile phone is because
one way of making a teenager do exactly what you want is by using a combination between bribery and
blackmail. They will do what you want easily if you offer to put more data on their mobile phone.
Second reason is that mobile phone can also be an excellent way of staying in touch with a teenager
when they are away from home. Third, many cell phones enable the teenager to access internet. By
using this feature, teenagers can obtain answers to questions very quickly and easily. The last, if a
teenager has a mobile phone, they can use it to call for help in a sticky situation for some reason. In such
condition, having a cell phone handy could be a lifesaver. In spite of having some advantages, letting
teenagers have a mobile phone has also some disadvantages. First, cheating can be done more easily by
using mobile phone since students can search or text the answers under their desks during tests.
Second, mobile phones can be very distracting from some important activities in a child’s life such as
studying, doing homework, or even crossing the street. Third, sexual content which can be accessed
easily is also an issue for parents to consider before giving a mobile phone for their child. Everything
must have its good and bad effect, and mobile phone must too. We need to be wise to use such a
sophisticated technology in our lives. As parents, we can set guidelines for our children on when they
are able to use their cell phones or give a suitable phone for their age so that we can get more
advantages from purchasing