TSL014 - Fe Oct 2019

CONFIDENTIAL ED/OCT 2019/TSL014/011
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
FINAL EXAMINATION
COURSE FUNDAMENTALS OF ACADEMIC READING/

COLLEGE READING 1
COURSE CODE TSL014/011
EXAMINATION OCTOBER 2019
TIME 3 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. This question paper consists of five (5) parts : PART A (8 Questions)

PART B (9 Questions)
PART C (14 Questions)
PART D (5 Questions)
PART E (11 Questions)
2. Answer ALL questions in this Question Paper.
3. Do not bring any material into the examination room unless permission is given by the
invigilator.
4. Answer ALL questions in English.
5. Fill in the information below:
STUDENT I.D NO. :
FACULTY/BRANCH CODE :
PROGRAMME CODE :
COURSE CODE
LECTURER'S NAME
GROUP (if any)
DATE OF EXAMINATION
DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO
This examination paper consists of 23 printed pages

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 2 ED/OCT 2019/TSL014/011
PART A: (8 MARKS)
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the passage below and answer ALL questions.
DESERTIFICATION
1 Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region

becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and
wildlife. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human
activities. Desertification is a significant global ecological and environmental problem.
2 Trees are being cut down at much larger scale than ever before to be used as fuel, to
provide products we use in our daily life, or to simply create more space for agriculture
to sustain growing human population. Once the trees and other vegetation in an area
are gone, there is nothing left to hold the soil in place.
3 Our planet's ecosystems sustain life only when balanced. They can cope with
incremental challenges and adapt but beyond a certain tipping point they collapse. A
rapid increase in the number of people demands higher amounts of natural resources
and expands more and more over the landscape, leading to increased desertification.
4 Improper irrigation methods used in arid areas, such as canal irrigation, lead to a
buildup of salt in the soil and make it difficult for crops and other plants to grow,
increasing desertification. Similarly harmful is cultivation of already deteriorated lands.
Through inconsiderate farming methods, farmers only speed up the process of
desertification in exchange for poor quality crops with low economic value.
5 In arid regions, grass and other vegetation is necessary to keep the soil in place. If such
vegetation is used as feed for cattle without sustainable control, there is nothing that
remains to prevent soil from blowing or washing away, and if this process occurs long
enough, it can lead to desertification.
6 As desertification occurs, the soil can be blown or washed away, and valuable soil
nutrients are lost. As the soil dries out, it hardens and it becomes difficult for any rainfall
that does occur to penetrate below the soil's surface. And what remains left is a lifeless
pile of dust instead of a life-giving medium.
7 Due to drought conditions and a loss of productive land, local people find themselves
and their livestock experiencing starvation.
8 Desertification events have been a major driver behind the movement of large human
populations throughout history. When soils are not able to support their civilization,
people set on the move to look for better locations.
9 Species that once lived in a fertile and productive climate may not survive in a newly
decertified region.
(Adapted from httpsJ/ieltsiz. com/desertification-reading-exercise-useful-vocab/)

Provide the topic for questions 1-3 and circle the letter that corresponds with the most
suitable answer for questions 4-8.
1. Paragraph 1:
2. Paragraph 2:
Paragraph 3:
All the following statements sum up the information in paragraph 5 EXCEPT?
a. Soil can blow or wash away when nutrients in soil are depleted.
b. Desertification is caused by overexploitation of soil through human activity
c. The amount of grass and other vegetation to feed cattle need to be checked.
d. Trees are being cut down at much larger scale than ever before to create more
space for agriculture.
Famine happens
a. when there is overflowing of rain.

b. due to advanced irrigation method.
c. when land lost its moisture and becomes arid.
d. farmers use low quality crops with low economic value.
The following could be the possible reasons people migrate EXCEPT
a. Lack of economic opportunity

b. They need to improve their lives
c. They experience land shortage
d. They need better opportunities in other places.
Which is the best synonym for incremental in paragraph 3?
a. Gradual
b. Additive
c. Gradational
d. Accumulative

8. The main purpose of this article is to
a. provide information on desertification

b. suggest ways to avoid desertification
c. highlight the dangers of desertification
d. raise awareness on the need to protect the environment
(8 marks)

PART B: (27 MARKS)
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the following paragraphs carefully and answer the questions that
follow.
People have a strong need to belong to groups, stemming from evolutionary

pressures that increased people's chance of survival and reproduction when in
groups rather than in isolation. This need may also be driven by the desire to feel
protected against threat and uncertainty in everyday life or to gain a greater sense of
personal and social identity. Moreover, people join specific groups in order to
accomplish things that they cannot accomplish as individuals. Neither symphonies
nor football games can be played by one person alone, and many types of work
require team effort. Further, people join groups because of the social status and
identity that they offer. An important part of people's feelings of self-worth comes
from their identification with particular groups. Even a relatively low-status group can
be a source of pride for individuals who are held in high esteem within the group;
being big fish in small ponds can make people feel good about themselves,
particularly people from individualist cultures. Finally, people may join groups simply
because they like the members and want to have the opportunity to interact with
them.
a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?
(1 mark)
b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?
(2 marks)

2. Slashing their swords wildly, swordfish swim through schools of fish, trying to slice
as many as possible; then they feast. When hooked by fishermen, they have
been known to fight nonstop for three or four hours. They have pulled some
fishermen to their deaths, and if they are not clubbed senseless when captured,
they will slash fishermen on deck. A puncture wound by a swordfish bill means a
severe and nearly instantaneous infection. Their sword, which is a bony
extension of the upper jaw, is deadly sharp on the sides and can grow to a
length of four or five feet. It is a weapon backed up by five hundred pounds of
sleek, muscular fish. Swordfish have even been known to attack boats, driving
their swords right through the hull and at times sinking them.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
One of the big programming surprises of the 2002 summer TV series was a show on
the Fox Network called American Idol, a talent search that highlighted several
aspiring performers. The final episode of the show garnered the biggest audience
share among 18- to 49-year olds that the network has ever had. Based on a British
series called Pop Idol, American Idol is another in a long list of shows that the United
States has imported. In fact, many popular U.S. TV shows originated overseas.
These include the quiz shows Who Wants to Be A Millionaire and The Weakest
Link, both also from Britain. Other examples include Survivor, imported from
Sweden; Big Brother, based on a Dutch series of the same name; and
TLC's Trading Spaces, based on the British series, Changing Rooms.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)

4. Have you ever been to a restaurant and stood there next to an empty desk waiting
to be seated? Or once you were seated, did you have to wait more than five
minutes for a waiter to approach your table? Even after the meal, did you become
frustrated trying to get the waiter's attention so you could get your check? If
you've experienced any of these things, then you know how important it is to have
good customer service. Customers who have a poor experience at a restaurant or
any other business are not likely to come back and may even tell their friends about
it. Customer service is one of the most important factors in a business.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
5. What is motion? Consider a ball that you notice one morning in the middle of a lawn.
Later in the afternoon, you notice that the ball is at the edge of the lawn, against a
fence, and you wonder if the wind or some person moved the ball. You do not know
if the wind blew it at a steady rate, if many gusts of wind moved it, or even if some
children kicked it all over the yard. All you know for sure is that the ball has been
moved because it is in a different position after some time passed. These are the
two important aspects of motion: (1) a change of position and (2) the passage of
time.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
©Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

6. Does watching violence on TV make people more prone to violence themselves?

One study found that heavy TV watchers are more fearful of others. They attempt to
protect themselves with guns, alarm systems, and security locks on doors. In the
same study it was found that heavy TV watchers are less upset about real-life
violence than are non-TV watchers. All of the violence they see on TV makes them
less sensitive to the real thing. A recent study also found that TV violence increases
aggressive behaviour in kids and makes them more likely to select toy guns rather
than other kinds of toys
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
7. All writers get bogged down now and then. Accept the fact that sooner or later
writer's block will happen to you. When it does, one response is to try to write
something—no matter how awkward or imprecise it may seem. Just jot a reminder
to yourself in the margin ("Fix this," "Redo," or "Ugh!") to fine-tune the section later.
Another way to deal with a writing snag is leave a blank space—a spot for the right
words when they finally come to mind at a later time. Then move on to an easier
section, see if you can write that, and then return to the challenging part. It may also
help to reread—to yourself or out loud—what you've already written. Regaining a
sense of the large context may be enough to overcome writer's block. You might
also try talking your way through a troublesome section. Like most people, you
probably speak more easily than you write; by speaking aloud, you tap this oral
fluency and put it to work in your writing.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)

8. Enormous energy, enthusiasm, and organization drove the reform efforts in America
in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, much of it a result of social
crises and political movements in the United States. But the "age of reform," as
some scholars have called it, was not an American phenomenon alone. It was part
of a wave of social experimentation that was occurring through much of the
industrial world. "Progressivism" in other countries influenced the social movements
in the United States. And American reform, in turn, had significant influence on other
countries as well.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
However, as biotech critics are quick to point out, the techniques geneticists use to
create genetically modified (GM) organisms do differ from traditional selective
breeding in several ways. For one, traditional selective breeding generally mixes
genes of individuals of the same species, whereas with recombinant DNA
technology, scientists mix genes of different species, even species as different as
viruses and crops, or spiders and goats. Even if they had tried, our agricultural
ancestors could not have crossed trees with peas, or bats with cats. For another,
selective breeding deals in vivo with whole organisms living in the field, whereas
genetic engineering takes place in the lab, involving in vitro experiments dealing with
genetic material apart from the organism. And whereas traditional breeding selects
from among combinations of genes that come together on their own, genetic
engineering creates the novel combinations directly. Traditional breeding thus
changes organisms through the process of selection, whereas genetic engineers
intervene at the stage of mutation.
(1 mark)
(2 marks)
PART C (25 MARKS)
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the passage below and answer ALL questions that follow.
WHAT OUR BODIES SAY ABOUT US
1 "Let me have men about me that are fat," says Julius Caesar to Marcus Antonius in
Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. In Julius Caesar's opinion, fat people were more
trustworthy than thin ones - that is, those with a "lean and hungry look" who "are
dangerous".
2 Shakespeare wasn't the first person to categorize personality according to body type.
And if you've ever reacted to people based on the way they look, you know he wasn't
the last. The relationship between physical characteristics and personality has been
explored for thousands of years and used to predict and explain the actions of others.
Although prehistoric man probably had his own ideas about the skinny guy in the cave
next door, ancient Greeks historically have been responsible for Western theories about
body and character.
3. The Greeks believed the body was composed of four humors, or fluids: blood, black bile,
yellow bile and phlegm. The fluid someone had the most of determined his or her
temperament or personality type - sanguine (hopeful), melancholic (sad), choleric (hot-
tempered), or phlegmatic (dull or slow). Although this ancient theory eventually lost its
popularity, it was replaced over the next few thousand years by all kinds of other ways
to identify and catalog people type. One of the most popular modern theories was
proposed by William Sheldon in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He suggested a
relationship between body and shape temperament. According to Sheldon's system, the
endomorph - with an oval-shaped body and large, heavy stomach - is slow, sociable,
emotional, forgiving, and relaxed. The mesomorph - with a triangular shape and a
muscular, firm, upright body, is confident, energetic, dominant, enterprising and at
times hot-tempered. The ectomorph - with a thin, fragile body - is tense, awkward and
meticulous.
4. A number of researches since Sheldon have contributed their own ideas to basic theory
that body shape and personality are somehow connected. Going one step beyond basic
shape is the idea of "body splits." This theory looks at the body in sections - top to
bottom, front to back, torso and limbs - with the idea that each part of the body tells its
own story. For example, the upper half of the body, consisting of the chest, head, and
arms, is expressive and conveys our feelings to others through gestures and facial
movements. The lower body, on the other hand, is associated with more deeply felt
emotions - particularly those about family, children, and self-image.
5 According to this theory, someone with a well-developed upper body will be active and
outwardly confident. However, if this same person has noticeably thinner legs and
narrow hips, he or she might have trouble expressing himself or herself to others, lack
self-confidence, and find it difficult to think about deep emotions. A person with a small
chest but large hips will have opposite traits, such as being shy in public, but emotional
and loving towards friends and family. Look for many clues to personality: weight
distribution (heaviness or thinness in different parts of the body), muscular development,
grace and coordination, and general health. For example, does one half of the body
seem healthier or more tense, or more relaxed than the other? Look for tense shoulders
or stiff legs and hips.
6 Backs and fronts are different, too. The front of the body is associated with our
conscious self, the one we think about and show to others. The back, which is hidden
from us most of the time, is associated with our unconscious self - that is, the feelings
we hide from both ourselves and others. Many times, we don't want to think about or
show emotions such as anger and fear, and we tend to store these feelings in the back.
If you're feeling stress, your back is likely to be tense. People who find it hard to deal
with problems without losing their temper are likely to have some kind of back trouble.
Look around you at the stories backs tell. A stooped back is weighed down by burdens
or troubles. A stiff and rigid back is hiding anger or stress. A straight and graceful spine
is strong and flexible. Do you know what kind of back you have?
7 Finally, there is the split between the torso, or body, and the limbs, or arms and legs.
You express yourself with your arms and hands, and even your legs in the way you
move about. People who are outgoing often use their hands and arms to gesture when
they talk. They also walk with long, confident strides. Shy people hold their hands and
arms quietly close to them and walk with small steps. Energetic people often tap their
feet and move around a lot because it's hard for them to sit still. They can sometimes be
impatient and are not the best listeners.
8 There is no end to theories about body shape and personality, and there is no doubt that
certain people with certain bodies often have very predictable characters. However,
there are some researchers who believe that the many instances in which body and
personality go together are due to stereotyping; that is, we expect a certain type of
person to have certain traits, so we see those traits whether they are there or not. For
example, muscular people are believed to be dominant and forceful, so we treat them as
leaders. But sometimes they are actually shy and timid. Fat people are supposed to be
happy and warmhearted, but in reality they can just as easily be depressed or mean.
Sometimes people will even act the way they think others expect them to act. By doing
that, people fill the role in which we picture them.
9 No matter how you look at it, bodies and personalities are related, whether by chance or
by choice. However, there are always exceptions to the rule-and whenever that happens,
there goes the theory. After all, we're only human; and that means we have a mind of
our own-whether we're fat, skinny, or something in between.
(Adapted from Weaving it Together, National Geographic)
Circle the letter that corresponds with the most suitable answer for questions 1 - 7. For
questions 8-14, write the appropriate answer in the space provide.
Questions 1-3. What are meanings of the words in bold?
1. The person with a triangular shape is confident, dominant, and enterprising.
a. Fond of being in control

b. Ready to attack at any time
c. Possessing special skills in business
d. Possessing the courage to start new and difficult things

2. The thin fragile ectomorph is also meticulous.
a. Unable to relax
b. Unable to decide
c. Concerned about details
d. Concerned about spending money
3. Look for clues to personality such as weight distribution, muscular development,

grace and coordination, and general health.
a. Straight and flexible body

b. Beauty of physical features
c. Healthy color of physical features
d. Beauty and harmony in movement
4. Paragraph 6 is mainly about .
a. how stress and anger can cause back problems

b. the difference between a person's front and back
c. what a person's back can reveal about him or her
d. how we hide our feelings from ourselves and others
5. Paragraph 8 is mainly concerned with .
a. how muscular people tend to be leaders.

b. how some people have very predictable characters.
c. how stereotyping affects the way we see ourselves and others.
d. the many theories that exist about body shape and personality.
The reading implies that .
a. it's easy to hide our emotions from others.

b. ancient people didn't know enough to understand personality theories.
c. very few theories that categorize people by their appearance have been popular.
d. it's natural for people to look for relationships between physical characters and
personality.
The author is theories that categorize people according to body type.
a. interested in
b. shocked by
c. in doubt about
d. disappointed in
(7 marks)
© HakCipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

8. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
(2 marks)
9. According to the reading, how has the relationship between physical characteristics
and personality been used?
(2 marks)
10. What are the four fluids and their related personality types, as defined by the
Greeks?
(4 marks)
11. Which part of the personality is the front ofthe body associated with?
(2 marks)
12. What type of person may not be a good listener? Why?
(2 marks)

13. What is the stereotype of fat people?
(2 marks)
14. Since ancient times, people have tried to classify humans by personality type. In
your opinion, what does categorizing people allow us to do? (You may choose to
discuss either positive or negative effects.)
(4 marks)

PART D (12 MARKS)
CARBON FOOTPRINT
1 With a little effort, and not much money, most of us could reduce our energy diets by 25
percent or more. So, what's holding us back? Writer Peter Miller goes on a strict low-
carbon diet to find out
2 Not long ago, my wife and I tried a new diet—not to lose weight but to answer a
question about climate change. Scientists have reported that the world is heating up
even faster than they predicted just a few years ago. The consequences, they say,
could be severe if we don't keep reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases that are trapping heat in our atmosphere. But what can we do about
it as individuals? And will our efforts really make any difference?
THE EXPERIMENT
3 We decide to try an experiment. For one month, we tracked our personal emissions of
CO2, as if we were counting calories. We wanted to see how much we could cut back.
4 The average U.S. household produces about 70 kilograms (150 punds) of C02 a day by
doing commonplace things like turning on air conditioning or driving cars. That's more
than twice the European average and almost five times the global average. But how
much should we try to reduce?
5 I checked with Tim Flannery, author of the Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the
Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth. In his book, he challenged readers to
make deep cuts in personal emissions to keep the world from reaching critical tipping
points, such as the melting of the ice sheets in Greenland or West Antarctica. "To stay
below that threshold, we need to reduce C02 emissions by 80 percent," he said. "That
sounds like a lot," my wife said. "Can we really do that?"
6 It seemed unlikely to me, too. Still the point was to answer a simple question: How close
could we come to a lifestyle the planet could handle? Finally, we agreed to aim for 80
percent less than the U.S. average: a daily diet of about 13 kilograms (30 pounds) of
C02. Our first challenge was to find ways to convert our daily activities into pounds of
C02. We wanted to track our progress as well so that we could change our habits if
necessary.
7 To get a rough idea of our current carbon footprint, I put numbers from recent utility bills
into several calculators on websites. None was flattering. The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) website figured our annual C02 emissions at 54,273 pounds, 30 percent
higher than the average U.S. family with two people. The main culprit was the energy
we were using to heat and cool our house. Clearly, we had further to go than Ithought.

THE DIAGNOSIS
8 We got some help in Week Two from a professional "house doctor," Ed Minch of Energy
Services Group in Wilmington, Delaware. We asked Minch to do an energy audit of our
house. The first thing he did was to walk around the outside of the house. Had the
architect and builder created any opportunities for air to seep in our out, such as
overhanging floors? Next, he went inside and used an infrared scanner to look at our
inferior walls. Finally, his assistants set up a powerful fan in our front door to lower air
pressure inside the house and force air through whatever leaks there might be in the
shell of the house.
9 Our house, his instruments showed, was 50 percent leakier than it should be.
Addressing this became a priority, as heating represents up to half of a house's energy
costs, and cooling can account for a tenth. Minch also gave us tips about lighting and
appliances. "A typical kitchen these days has ten 75-watt spots on all day," he said,
"that's huge waste of money." Replacing them with compact fluorescents could save a
homeowner $200 a year. Refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and other
appliances, in fact may represent half of a household's electric bill.
10 Everywhere I looked, I saw things sucking up energy. One night I sat up in bed and
counted ten little lights in the darkness: cell phone charger, desktop calculator, laptop
computer, printer, clock radio, cable TV box, camera battery recharger, carbon
monoxide detector, cordless phone base, smoke detector. What were they all doing? A
study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that "vampire" power sucked
up by 8 electronics in standby mode can add up to 8 percent of a house's electric bill.
What else had I missed?
11 "You can go nuts thinking about everything in your house that uses power," said
Jennifer Thorne Amann, author of Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. "You
have to use common sense and prioritize. Don't agonize too much. Think about what
you'll be able to sustain after the experiment is over. If you have trouble reaching your
goal in one area, remember there's always something else you can do."
THE RESULTS
12 By the last week in July, we were finally getting into the flow of the reduced carbon
lifestyle. We walked to the neighborhood pool instead of driving, biked to the local
farmers market on Saturday morning, and sat out on the deck until dark, chatting over
the sound of crickets. Whenever possible I worked from home, and when I commuted, I
took the bus and subway.
13 Our numbers were looking pretty good, in fact, when we crossed the finish line on
August 1st, compared with the previous July, we cut electricity use by 70 percent, natural
gas by 40 percent, and reduced our driving to half of the national average. In terms of
CO2, we trimmed our emissions to an average of 32 kilograms (70.5 pounds) a day,
which though twice as much as we'd targeted as our goal, was still half the national
average.
© HakCipta UniversitiTeknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

14 We can do more, of course. We can sign up with our utility company for power from
regional wind farms. We can purchase locally grown foods instead of winter raspberries
from Chile and bottled water from Fiji. We can join a carbon-reduction club or set up one
of our own.
THE FUTURE
15 Will it make any difference? That's what we really wanted to know. Our low-carbon diet
had shown us that, with little or no hardship and no major cash outlays, we could cut
day-to-day emissions of C02in half - mainly by wasting less energy at home and on the
highway. Similar efforts in office buildings, shopping malls, and factories throughout the
nation, combined with incentives and efficiency standards, could halt further increases in
U.S. emissions.
16 Yet efficiency, in the end, can only take us so far. To get the deeper reductions we need,
as Tim Flannery advised, we must replace fossil fuels faster with renewable energy from
wind farms, solar plants, geothermal facilities, and biofuels. We must slow deforestation,
which is an additional source of greenhouse gases. And we must develop technologies
to capture and bury carbon dioxide from existing power plants. Efficiency can buy us
time - perhaps as much as two decades - to figure out how to remove carbon from the
world's diet.
17 Not that there won't be any obstacles. Every sector of our economy faces challenges,
says energy-efficiency guru Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute. "But they all
have huge potential. I don't know anyone who has failed to make money at energy
efficiency. There's so much low-hanging fruit, it's falling off the tress and mushing up
around our ankles.
18 The rest of the world isn't waiting for the United States to show the way. Sweden has
pioneered carbon-neutral houses, Germany affordable solar power, Japan fuel-efficient
cars, the Netherlands prosperous cities filled with bicycles. Does the U.S have the will to
match such efforts?
19 Change starts at home with the replacement of a light bulb, the opening of a window, a
walk to the bus, or a bike ride to the post office. My wife and I did it for only a month, but
I can see the low-carbon diet becoming a habit. As my wife said "What do we have to
lose?"
(Adapted from Reading Explorer5, National Geographic)
Questions 1 - 3. Circle the letter that corresponds with the best answer.
1. The author is initially reducing his family's C02 production by 80 percent.
a. fairly agreeable to
b. enthusiastic about
c. not confident about
d. not very interested in

2. What does the author say in paragraph 1 about the standby mode on electronic
devise?
a. Using it is an efficient way to save energy and money.

b. It uses as much energy as leaving the device turned on.
c. It uses less energy than turning a device off and then on again.
d. Using it can account for up to 8 percent of a household's electricity.
3. Which of the following is closest in the meaning to this sentence "In terms of C02, we
trimmed our emissions to an average of 32 kilograms (70.5 pounds) a day, which,
though twice as much as we'd targeted as our goal, was still half the national average".
(paragraph 13)
a. The author's family reduced their C02 emissions to half the national average, but
only reached half their targeted goal.
b. The author and his wife were not able to cut their C02 output to the national average,
but they still met their goal.
c. The author's family reduced their C02 output to 70.5 percent of the national average,
but they still met their goal.
d. The author's family planned to reduce their C02 emissions to half the national
average, but they were able to reduce emissions by twice that much.
(3 marks)
4. Read the sentences (a-h) below and complete the tasks that follow.
Tasks:
i. Find FOUR (4) sentences that summarize the main ideas of the sections in the
table below and write the letter in the main idea column.
ii. Choose FOUR (4) more sentences from the list below and write the letter to
complete the supporting details column.
a. According to the EPA website, the author's annual household C02 emissions
totaled 54,273 pounds.
b. Increasing household energy efficiency is a first step, but other measures are
needed to tackle global warming
c. With some outside advice, the author learned his house was losing a lot of energy
through the heat leakage and household appliances.
d. Although there was more he could do, the author was pleased that he was able to
significantly lower his carbon footprint.
e. To help reduce his carbon emissions, the author walked and cycled whenever
possible.
f. The author investigated his household carbon footprint and found it was surprisingly
high

g. The author learned that compact fluorescents can save house owners about $200 a
year.
h. Countries such as Germany and Japan have developed some innovative ways to
reduce carbon emissions.
Main Idea Supporting Detail
Section 1: The Experiment
Section 2: The Diagnosis
Section 3: The Results
Section 4: The Future
(8 marks)
5. What is the best alternative title for this reading passage?
(1 mark)

PART E (23 MARKS)
LESSONS FROM HISTORY
1. Can you recall your history lessons in school? I am almost certain that most young
people today will unanimously agree that at some point during their lessons they were
tempted to fall asleep. To begin with, appreciation for history is a question of taste, it
may be interesting to a select few but others may find it dull. Whether you are fond of
history or hate it with a passion, undoubtedly there are many invaluable lessons you can
learn from it. Among others, historical events and personalities teach us vital lessons
that can shape our present-day thought, lifestyle and beliefs.
2 The most precious lesson history can teach us is about our civilization. In the words of
James Burke, "If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you
are." Although we live in the present, an understanding of the past is vital to
comprehend the present. By meticulously examining artefacts, document and laws left
by our ancestors, historians try to find patterns and understand human nature. Without
the study of history, we would be in the dark about our origin, ancestors and the world
we live in. By studying historical sites like the Stonehenge in England, we now know that
even 5000 years ago, people lived in communities and observed some form of religion.
Experts have demonstrated that religion is an important piece of puzzle, which helps to
answer crucial questions about our existence. Closer to home, history has unveiled
certain hard facts about the sacrifices our ancestors had to make which brought about
the freedom, language and culture we so now enjoy. If we take a look at the hardship
that our founding forefathers had to endure, perhaps then we will appreciate the things
that we occasionally take for granted today. Broadly, history allows us to situate
ourselves in time and place, and it helps us understand who we are and how we came
to be.
3 The next thing that we can learn from history is worthwhile lessons about mistakes in
the past. To put it simply, we should examine mistakes made in the past and learn from
them. History makes available a template rich in culture, trade and wars for us to
redesign our destiny. The Great Depression is a prime example from history that we can
use to learn life lessons about the way we would conduct trade also why we should
condemn imperialism. After World War 1, Germany had to pay compensation payments
to France and England as a result of its imperialistic collapse. These payments created
a huge deficit in German economy. To counter the losses, Germany started printing
more money. Evidently, this was a wrong move because the German mark became
worthless as a result of the quick fix. Can you imagine carrying a bag full of money just
to buy a loaf of bread? Well that is what actually happened. To get out of this mess, the
Germans were desperate for a savior to defend their national pride even if it meant to
elect a man capable of incomprehensible "evil". Adolf Hitler, who is also history's most
wanted lunatic, was put in command to change everything for Germany. Indeed he did.
The Holocaust, the unimaginable suffering and death of millions of innocent people, was
one man's quest for power. Ultimately, it enlightens us about the consequences of
prejudice, racism and stereotyping in a society. Based on this, it is evident that history
can help us to thwart these veils if we see them coming.

4 Further to this, the most useful account of history for modern day application is the
inventions. From history, mankind has learnt how to perfect the art of living. The great
inventors of yesterday, through their inventions, have helped us to live longer, better and
wiser. History informs us that Marie Curie, the double Nobel Prize winner, discovered
radiation. Her breakthrough made it possible for us to take X-rays and treat cancer. If
history did not document this invention, can you imagine our struggles with internal
diseases today? Another pertinent discovery that has transformed our lives today is the
invention of the light bulb. Although he did not actually invent it, Thomas Edison's
substantial improvement to the light bulb made it practical, safe and economical for
present-day use. If not for his contribution, we may still be living in darkness.
5 If history has taught us anything, it has to be about humanity. Through the lived lives of
inspirational people like Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela, we learn
the importance of selflessness, freedom and mutual respect. Mahatma Gandhi is a
legendary example of the ultimate selfless minimalist. Though born into riches, Gandhi,
at his time of death only owned about 10 things including his watch, spectacles, sandals
and eating bowl. Gandhi's fight against racial discrimination and his teachings about
nonviolent resistance ring truer than ever, especially at a time when material gains and
personal satisfaction seem to be the order of the day. Although he died a pauper, history
has made it possible for us to learn many telling lesson from the unpretentious icon.
6 It is apparent then that history has taught us about civilization, costly blunders and
humanity. Although events in history had different consequences on mankind then, it is
definite that they contain similar universal life lessons for all of us today. So the next
time you claim history is boring, think again. You may be surprised at the striking
response you get from people when you quote a period or event in history in your
conversation because history defines us. In the words of a great author O' Rourke,
"Those who do not know history are probably also not doing well in English or Math."
(Adapted from Skilled Reading: A GuidedApproach)
Answer questions 1-11.
1. State what the following words in bold refer to in the passage.
a. their (paragraph 1)
b. its (paragraph 3):
c. they (paragraph 6):
(3 marks)
2. What is the topic for paragraph 2?
(1 mark)

3. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?
(2 marks)
4. According to the writer, why is the knowledge of the past important?
(2 marks)
5. What 'things' is the writer referring to in the following phrase "perhaps then we will
appreciate the things that we occasionally take for granted today" (paragraph 2)?
(2 marks)
6. Whose invention has helped us cope with our struggles with internal disease?
(1 mark)
7. Which statement in the passage shows us that Gandhi was a minimalist?
(2 marks)
8. Why does the writer ask the readers to think again before insisting that history is boring?
(2 marks)

9. Based on the passage, list two (2) lessons that can be learnt from history?
(2 marks)
10. Do you think history can be used to help shape young people? Explain with an example.
(3 marks)
11. What is your perception about the value of history after reading the passage?
(3 marks)
END OF QUESTION PAPER

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CONFIDENTIAL ED/OCT 2019/TSL014/011

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

COURSE FUNDAMENTALS OF ACADEMIC READING/

COURSE CODE TSL014/011

EXAMINATION OCTOBER 2019

1. This question paper consists of five (5) parts : PART A (8 Questions)

2. Answer ALL questions in this Question Paper.

4. Answer ALL questions in English.

5. Fill in the information below:

STUDENT I.D NO. :

GROUP (if any)

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

This examination paper consists of 23 printed pages

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the passage below and answer ALL questions.

1 Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region

(Adapted from httpsJ/ieltsiz. com/desertification-reading-exercise-useful-vocab/)

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

All the following statements sum up the information in paragraph 5 EXCEPT?

a. when there is overflowing of rain.

The following could be the possible reasons people migrate EXCEPT

a. Lack of economic opportunity

Which is the best synonym for incremental in paragraph 3?

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

8. The main purpose of this article is to

a. provide information on desertification

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

PART B: (27 MARKS)

People have a strong need to belong to groups, stemming from evolutionary

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

©Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

6. Does watching violence on TV make people more prone to violence themselves?

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

a. Is the main idea sentence in the paragraph above stated or implied?

b. What is the main idea sentence for the paragraph above?

PART C (25 MARKS)

WHAT OUR BODIES SAY ABOUT US

(Adapted from Weaving it Together, National Geographic)

Questions 1-3. What are meanings of the words in bold?

1. The person with a triangular shape is confident, dominant, and enterprising.

a. Fond of being in control

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

2. The thin fragile ectomorph is also meticulous.

3. Look for clues to personality such as weight distribution, muscular development,

a. Straight and flexible body

4. Paragraph 6 is mainly about .

a. how stress and anger can cause back problems