General Information:Main Idea

(1) The word gambut (peat) is taken from the name of a village, Desa Gambut (now Gambut sub-district), which is located about 10 km east of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. It is at this place that for the first time, rice has been successfully cultivated in peat soiled rice fields.

In the soil taxonomy system, peat soils are grouped into a separate soil order called histosis, which means that the land is predominantly composed of organic soil materials in the form of the remains of plant tissues.

The nature and characteristics of peat soils can be determined based on their physical and chemical properties.

(2) Gambut has dark brown to blackish colors. Although its basic materials are gray, brown, or reddish, after decomposition, the dark humic compounds will appear.

Furthermore, based on the weight of the contents, peat soil or gambut, which has undergone further decomposition, has a content weight ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 g/cm³.

Due to the low content weight, peat has a large capacity as water storage, about 2-4 times its dry weight. In fact, moss peat that has not been decomposed can store up to 12 or 15 even 20 times more water than its own weight. In addition, peat soil has a large absorption area, which is up to 4 times greater than montmorillonite clay.

(3 )Next, peat soil has acidic reaction properties. Decomposition of organic matters will produce organic acids that accumulate in the body of the soil hence increasing the acidity of the peat soil. Generally, peat soil shows real resistance to changes in pH when compared to mineral soils.

As a result, peat soil requires more limestone to increase the pH at the same level of the value of mineral soil. Thus, peat soil requires a higher dose of fertilizers than mineral soil.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• A. Peat soil

• B. Peat soil is physically and chemically different

• C. Peat soil has certain physical and chemical properties

• D. Peat soil has chemical properties that are quite different from clay

Of the various tribes living in the Ituri rain forest of Africa, Pygmies are the most unusual. They are perfectly formed people except that they weigh only about eighty pounds with a height of not more than four feet. Pygmies are great travelers, capable of moving in the treetops almost as expertly as monkeys. Often they travel great distances through tree branches without touching the ground.

Pygmies are also renowned as great hunters as they can shoot three or four arrows one after another so rapidly that often the last one leaves the bow before the first has reached its target. If an arrow misses its target, the impatient Pygmy may fly into a rage, breaking his arrows and stamping on them. Regardless of their extraordinary little bodies, Pygmies can consume a large amount of food. One Pygmy can finish a stalk of sixty bananas at a single meal, in addition to quantities of meat. After eating, he will lie on his hard earth bed and groan in pain all night. In the morning, he is ready to eat the same amount of food all over again.

What is the main idea of the passage? The Pygmy is ……

• A. a unique tribe in the Ituri rain forest of Africa

• B. a very skillful forest people

• C. the African tribe best in hunting

• D. tribe in Africa living in isolation

You’ve been working and saving for decades for just this moment: retirement. Even though you may be ready to stop working full-time, now comes the hard part: letting yourself use your savings, since you no longer will be bringing in that paycheck, which until now has covered your monthly expenses. Making the psychological shift from saver to spender is no small effort for most people.

“Now you have this lump sum and have to draw it down. For some it’s almost physically painful,” said David John, a senior strategic policy advisor. Unpredictable factors like market performance, life expectancy and health issues make spending your money easier said than done. That’s why people may be hesitant to tap their savings because they think, “I have X dollars and it has to last me my whole life, but I have a very uncertain future. So, if I touch that I’m putting myself at risk.”

Research shows that among retirees with savings, many do not draw down very much, choosing instead to live off fixed sources of funds, such as Social Security or pensions or income from part-time work they take up. A study found that the vast majority of retirees in America still have at least 80% of their savings after two decades in retirement. No doubt this is partly because they are among the last generation of workers to benefit from corporate pensions.

The psychological reluctance to tap one’s savings is a factor for most people regardless of their financial condition. It may become more acute for soon-to-be retirees as they face inflation, unstable markets and a lack of pensions, John said. They’re trying to figure out who they are now that their primary career is over and figuring out what they can and can’t do financially

What is the main idea of text?

• A. Life uncertainty is happening among newly retired people in America.

• B. There are some reasons why retirees use their savings.

• C. The retirees’ financial condition affects how much they are willing to spend their savings.

• D. Most retirees in America do not use their savings a lot in retirement.

The Navajo Indians

A Report By: Rachel

     The Navajo Indians were a very interesting tribe to learn and study about. The things that interested me the most were their simple lifestyle. They had no electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. Life couldn't get much simpler than this!

     Navajo Indians lived in houses called hogans. These houses were made of mud, wooden poles, and tree bark. Many Navajo today still live in hogans.

The Pueblo Indians taught the Navajo many skills. They taught them to plant crops, such as melon, corn, beans, and squash. This is why the Navajo were referred to as farmers, sheep herders, and laborers. Other skills of the Navajo are sand paintings, jewelry making, and rug weaving.

     Navajo Indians wore shoes called moccasins to protect their feet from the hot, desert ground and cactus. They were made from leather or rawhide.

Navajo Indians held ceremonies called Night Chants. They wore masks and shook rattles while praying for rain and good crops. The ceremonies lasted for nine days!

     The Navajo were warlike. They would sometimes raid other Indians, Mexicans, and white men. They would steal horses, sheep, and cows. In 1863, Kit Carson marched 400 men through Canyon de Chelly, the stronghold of the Navajo. Carson and his men killed so much livestock and destroyed so many crops, that the Navajo begged for peace. Carson gathered the Navajo and moved them to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. They were held prisoners there until 1867.

     So as you can see, the Navajo Indians were a very interesting tribe to learn and study about.

What is the main idea of the third paragraph?

• A. The Pueblo Indians taught the Navajo many skills.

• B. The Navajo wore shoes called moccasins.

• C. The Navajo were skilled at rug weaving.

• D. The Navajo were referred to as sheep herders.

Same Looks, Different Personalities

By : Rachel

     Maya and Melissa are twin sisters. They both have shoulder length brown hair and they are both 5 feet tall. From this description you might think that the sisters are just alike, but they are very different.

Maya spends most of her time playing sports. Her favorite sports are baseball and soccer. She has gone to many championships and won many trophies, and was even said to be the team's most valuable player.

     Melissa hates sports. She plays the piano and has played in many recitals and has won many awards. She loves writing and writes some stories for a children's magazine. She has won many statewide writing contests.

Maya is a poor student, but keeps her grades up enough to barely pass. She isn't interested in school. She doesn't like to read anything, except for sports magazines.

     Melissa is a good student. She studies a lot and is at the top of her class. She was valedictorian when she graduated from elementary school. Melissa loves books and reads them all the time.

Maya is outgoing and loud. She is also very humorous. When someone is feeling down, you could count on Maya to make them laugh. She usually wears jeans, a shirt, and she wears her hair up in her lucky baseball hat.

Melissa is quiet and shy. But she is a good listener. When someone tells her a problem, she tries to understand how they feel. Melissa wears skirts and sweaters and wears her hair up in a ponytail.

      The two sisters may have very different personalities, but they are best friends and very close.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• A. Melissa is very shy.

• B. Maya loves sports.

• C. The twins look alike, but they have different personalities.

• D. The twins are very different, but they are very close.

Same Looks, Different Personalities

By : Rachel

     Maya and Melissa are twin sisters. They both have shoulder length brown hair and they are both 5 feet tall. From this description you might think that the sisters are just alike, but they are very different.

Maya spends most of her time playing sports. Her favorite sports are baseball and soccer. She has gone to many championships and won many trophies, and was even said to be the team's most valuable player.

     Melissa hates sports. She plays the piano and has played in many recitals and has won many awards. She loves writing and writes some stories for a children's magazine. She has won many statewide writing contests.

Maya is a poor student, but keeps her grades up enough to barely pass. She isn't interested in school. She doesn't like to read anything, except for sports magazines.

     Melissa is a good student. She studies a lot and is at the top of her class. She was valedictorian when she graduated from elementary school. Melissa loves books and reads them all the time.

Maya is outgoing and loud. She is also very humorous. When someone is feeling down, you could count on Maya to make them laugh. She usually wears jeans, a shirt, and she wears her hair up in her lucky baseball hat.

Melissa is quiet and shy. But she is a good listener. When someone tells her a problem, she tries to understand how they feel. Melissa wears skirts and sweaters and wears her hair up in a ponytail.

      The two sisters may have very different personalities, but they are best friends and very close.

What is the main idea of the fourth paragraph?

• A. Maya isn't interested in school and doesn't like reading.

• B. Maya loves sports magazines.

• C. Maya loves to read.

• D. Maya is a poor student.

Same Looks, Different Personalities

By : Rachel

     Maya and Melissa are twin sisters. They both have shoulder length brown hair and they are both 5 feet tall. From this description you might think that the sisters are just alike, but they are very different.

Maya spends most of her time playing sports. Her favorite sports are baseball and soccer. She has gone to many championships and won many trophies, and was even said to be the team's most valuable player.

     Melissa hates sports. She plays the piano and has played in many recitals and has won many awards. She loves writing and writes some stories for a children's magazine. She has won many statewide writing contests.

Maya is a poor student, but keeps her grades up enough to barely pass. She isn't interested in school. She doesn't like to read anything, except for sports magazines.

     Melissa is a good student. She studies a lot and is at the top of her class. She was valedictorian when she graduated from elementary school. Melissa loves books and reads them all the time.

Maya is outgoing and loud. She is also very humorous. When someone is feeling down, you could count on Maya to make them laugh. She usually wears jeans, a shirt, and she wears her hair up in her lucky baseball hat.

Melissa is quiet and shy. But she is a good listener. When someone tells her a problem, she tries to understand how they feel. Melissa wears skirts and sweaters and wears her hair up in a ponytail.

      The two sisters may have very different personalities, but they are best friends and very close.

What is the main idea of the second paragraph?

• A. Maya plays baseball.

• B. Melissa plays the piano.

• C. Maya loves sports.

• D. Maya loves the flute.

Same Looks, Different Personalities

By : Rachel

     Maya and Melissa are twin sisters. They both have shoulder length brown hair and they are both 5 feet tall. From this description you might think that the sisters are just alike, but they are very different.

Maya spends most of her time playing sports. Her favorite sports are baseball and soccer. She has gone to many championships and won many trophies, and was even said to be the team's most valuable player.

     Melissa hates sports. She plays the piano and has played in many recitals and has won many awards. She loves writing and writes some stories for a children's magazine. She has won many statewide writing contests.

Maya is a poor student, but keeps her grades up enough to barely pass. She isn't interested in school. She doesn't like to read anything, except for sports magazines.

     Melissa is a good student. She studies a lot and is at the top of her class. She was valedictorian when she graduated from elementary school. Melissa loves books and reads them all the time.

Maya is outgoing and loud. She is also very humorous. When someone is feeling down, you could count on Maya to make them laugh. She usually wears jeans, a shirt, and she wears her hair up in her lucky baseball hat.

Melissa is quiet and shy. But she is a good listener. When someone tells her a problem, she tries to understand how they feel. Melissa wears skirts and sweaters and wears her hair up in a ponytail.

      The two sisters may have very different personalities, but they are best friends and very close.

What is the main idea of the fifth paragraph?

• A. Melissa has skipped a grade.

• B. Melissa is a good student.

• C. Maya loves to write.

• D. Melissa pays attention.