Basic recipe

• 1 cup basmati rice per serving (or weigh 75g per person)

• Knob of butter or ½ tbsp oil (optional)

1. Measure the rice into a cup and level the top, or weigh the amount of servings you want into a jug and note the liquid level it comes up to.

2. Rinse the rice thoroughly in cold water until the water is clear. If you have time, soak the rice in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This will help the grains cook more evenly.

3. Pour the rice into a pan over a low heat, then add the butter or oil, if using, and stir to coat the rice grains.

4. Add double the amount of water (2 cups, or 150ml water for a 75g serving) plus some salt, if you like. To shorten the cooking time, add boiling water.

5. Bring to a boil. Swirl the rice in the pan (or stir once) to make sure it’s well distributed.

6. Put a lid on and turn the heat down to as low as possible. If you cook the rice on too high heat, it will cook too quickly and may end up chalky in the center.

7. Cook for 10 mins and do not take the lid off. Check the rice is cooked at the end by trying a grain. Keep cooking for another couple of mins if it isn’t quite ready, then turn the heat off.

8. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve it straightaway if you like, but if you cover it with a tea towel for 10 minutes any residual water is absorbed. You can then fluff up the grains for an even better texture.

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Soak the rice in cold water for at least 30 minutes

… the grains cook more evenly.

Mr. Richard’s family was on vacation last month. They are Mr. and Mrs. Richard with two sons. They went to London. They saw their travel agent and booked their tickets. They went to the British Embassy to get visas to enter Britain. They had booked fourteen days tour. This included travel and accommodation. They also included tours around London.

They boarded a large Boeing flight. The flight was nearly fourteen hours. On the plane the cabin crews were very friendly. They gave them newspaper and magazine to read. They gave them food and drink. There was a film for their entertainment. They had a very pleasant flight. They slept part of the way.

On arrival at Heathrow Airport, they had to go to Customs and Immigration. The officers were pleasant. They checked the document carefully but their manners were very polite. Mr. Richard and his family collected their bags and went to London Welcome Desk. They arranged the transfer to a hotel.

The hotel was a well-known four-star hotel. The room had perfect view of the park. The room had its own bathroom and toilet. Instead of keys for the room, they inserted a key- card to open the door. On the third floor, there was a restaurant serving Asian and European food. They had variety of food.

The two week in London went very fast. At the end of the 14-day, they were quite tired but they felt very happy.

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The text informs the readers about ….

Mr. Richard’s family was on vacation last month. They are Mr. and Mrs. Richard with two sons. They went to London. They saw their travel agent and booked their tickets. They went to the British Embassy to get visas to enter Britain. They had booked fourteen days tour. This included travel and accommodation. They also included tours around London.

They boarded a large Boeing flight. The flight was nearly fourteen hours. On the plane the cabin crews were very friendly. They gave them newspaper and magazine to read. They gave them food and drink. There was a film for their entertainment. They had a very pleasant flight. They slept part of the way.

On arrival at Heathrow Airport, they had to go to Customs and Immigration. The officers were pleasant. They checked the document carefully but their manners were very polite. Mr. Richard and his family collected their bags and went to London Welcome Desk. They arranged the transfer to a hotel.

The hotel was a well-known four-star hotel. The room had perfect view of the park. The room had its own bathroom and toilet. Instead of keys for the room, they inserted a key- card to open the door. On the third floor, there was a restaurant serving Asian and European food. They had variety of food.

The two week in London went very fast. At the end of the 14-day, they were quite tired but they felt very happy.

-----

What is the main idea of paragraph 3?

Mr. Richard’s family was on vacation last month. They are Mr. and Mrs. Richard with two sons. They went to London. They saw their travel agent and booked their tickets. They went to the British Embassy to get visas to enter Britain. They had booked fourteen days tour. This included travel and accommodation. They also included tours around London.

They boarded a large Boeing flight. The flight was nearly fourteen hours. On the plane the cabin crews were very friendly. They gave them newspaper and magazine to read. They gave them food and drink. There was a film for their entertainment. They had a very pleasant flight. They slept part of the way.

On arrival at Heathrow Airport, they had to go to Customs and Immigration. The officers were pleasant. They checked the document carefully but their manners were very polite. Mr. Richard and his family collected their bags and went to London Welcome Desk. They arranged the transfer to a hotel.

The hotel was a well-known four-star hotel. The room had perfect view of the park. The room had its own bathroom and toilet. Instead of keys for the room, they inserted a key- card to open the door. On the third floor, there was a restaurant serving Asian and European food. They had variety of food.

The two week in London went very fast. At the end of the 14-day, they were quite tired but they felt very happy.

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… Mr. Richard’s family were tired after having a long vacation, they felt very pleasant.

Octopuses are one of the most interesting sea creatures. Name octopus is derived from a Greek language and it means eight-footed. There are over 200 species of octopuses and all of them live in oceans around the world, usually near the coral reefs. Octopuses are invertebrates, which mean that they are boneless. Because of that, octopus loses its shape when it is pulled out of the water.

All octopuses have head, called mantle, surrounded with 8 arms, called tentacles. All vital organs are located in their head. Their color and size are determined by their environment. Those that live in tropical (warm) water. The only hard structure in their body is beak which looks like a parrot beak. They use their beaks for eating. Using strong suction cups, they hunt crabs, mollusks, and crayfish. They have 3 hearts and their blood is blue in color.

Octopuses are mainly famous for their ability to flee from predators using various techniques. They can change their color and texture of the skin to blend with environment and become invisible. They will eject dark ink that will confuse the predators and give them a chance to escape. If predators grabs them for any tentacle, they will reject it. Soon afer,

new tentacle will grow

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What is the writer’s purpose in writing the text above?

Octopuses are one of the most interesting sea creatures. Name octopus is derived from a Greek language and it means eight-footed. There are over 200 species of octopuses and all of them live in oceans around the world, usually near the coral reefs. Octopuses are invertebrates, which mean that they are boneless. Because of that, octopus loses its shape when it is pulled out of the water.

All octopuses have head, called mantle, surrounded with 8 arms, called tentacles. All vital organs are located in their head. Their color and size are determined by their environment. Those that live in tropical (warm) water. The only hard structure in their body is beak which looks like a parrot beak. They use their beaks for eating. Using strong suction cups, they hunt crabs, mollusks, and crayfish. They have 3 hearts and their blood is blue in color.

Octopuses are mainly famous for their ability to flee from predators using various techniques. They can change their color and texture of the skin to blend with environment and become invisible. They will eject dark ink that will confuse the predators and give them a chance to escape. If predators grabs them for any tentacle, they will reject it. Soon afer,

new tentacle will grow

-----

The place where octopuses live determines their ....

Octopuses are one of the most interesting sea creatures. Name octopus is derived from a Greek language and it means eight-footed. There are over 200 species of octopuses and all of them live in oceans around the world, usually near the coral reefs. Octopuses are invertebrates, which mean that they are boneless. Because of that, octopus loses its shape when it is pulled out of the water.

All octopuses have head, called mantle, surrounded with 8 arms, called tentacles. All vital organs are located in their head. Their color and size are determined by their environment. Those that live in tropical (warm) water. The only hard structure in their body is beak which looks like a parrot beak. They use their beaks for eating. Using strong suction cups, they hunt crabs, mollusks, and crayfish. They have 3 hearts and their blood is blue in color.

Octopuses are mainly famous for their ability to flee from predators using various techniques. They can change their color and texture of the skin to blend with environment and become invisible. They will eject dark ink that will confuse the predators and give them a chance to escape. If predators grabs them for any tentacle, they will reject it. Soon afer,

new tentacle will grow

-----

“They can change their color and texture of the skin to blend with environment and become invisible” (paragraph 3)

What does the sentence above mean?

Octopuses are one of the most interesting sea creatures. Name octopus is derived from a Greek language and it means eight-footed. There are over 200 species of octopuses and all of them live in oceans around the world, usually near the coral reefs. Octopuses are invertebrates, which mean that they are boneless. Because of that, octopus loses its shape when it is pulled out of the water.

All octopuses have head, called mantle, surrounded with 8 arms, called tentacles. All vital organs are located in their head. Their color and size are determined by their environment. Those that live in tropical (warm) water. The only hard structure in their body is beak which looks like a parrot beak. They use their beaks for eating. Using strong suction cups, they hunt crabs, mollusks, and crayfish. They have 3 hearts and their blood is blue in color.

Octopuses are mainly famous for their ability to flee from predators using various techniques. They can change their color and texture of the skin to blend with environment and become invisible. They will eject dark ink that will confuse the predators and give them a chance to escape. If predators grabs them for any tentacle, they will reject it. Soon afer,

new tentacle will grow

-----

The underlined word in “Octopuses are maily famous for their ability to flee from predators........................................... ”

in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ….

Nick was a 10 year old boy. He was the only son to his parents. Nick’s father was a very busy businessman who could not spend time with his son. He came home after Nick slept, and was off to office before Nick woke up in the morning. Nick yearned for his father’s attention. He wanted to go outdoors and play with his father just like his friends did.

One day, Nick was surprised to see his father at home in the evening. “Dad, it is a big surprise to see you at home,” Nick said. “Yes son, my meeting was cancelled. So I’m at home. But after two hours I have to catch a flight,” his father replied. “When will you be back?” “Tomorrow noon.”

Nick was in deep thought for a while. Then he asked, “Dad, how much do you earn in a year?” Nick’s father was taken aback. He said, “My dear son, it’s a very big amount and you won’t be able to understand it.” “Ok dad, are you happy with the amount you earn?” “Yes my dear. I’m very happy, and in fact I’m planning to launch our new branch and a new business in a few months. Isn’t that great?” “Yes, dad. I’m happy to hear that. Can I ask you one more question?” “Yes, dear.” “Dad, can you tell me how much you earn in a day or even half a day?” “Nick, why are you asking this question?” Nick’s father was perplexed. But Nick was persistent. “Please answer me. Can you please tell me how much you earn in an hour?” Nick’s father gave in and replied, “It will be around $ 25/- per hour.”

Nick ran to his room upstairs, and came down with his piggy bank that contained his savings. “Dad, I have $50 in my piggy bank. Can you spare two hours for me? I want to go to the beach and have dinner with you tomorrow evening. Can you please mark this in your schedule?”

Nick’s father was speechless!

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The story is about ....

Nick was a 10 year old boy. He was the only son to his parents. Nick’s father was a very busy businessman who could not spend time with his son. He came home after Nick slept, and was off to office before Nick woke up in the morning. Nick yearned for his father’s attention. He wanted to go outdoors and play with his father just like his friends did.

One day, Nick was surprised to see his father at home in the evening. “Dad, it is a big surprise to see you at home,” Nick said. “Yes son, my meeting was cancelled. So I’m at home. But after two hours I have to catch a flight,” his father replied. “When will you be back?” “Tomorrow noon.”

Nick was in deep thought for a while. Then he asked, “Dad, how much do you earn in a year?” Nick’s father was taken aback. He said, “My dear son, it’s a very big amount and you won’t be able to understand it.” “Ok dad, are you happy with the amount you earn?” “Yes my dear. I’m very happy, and in fact I’m planning to launch our new branch and a new business in a few months. Isn’t that great?” “Yes, dad. I’m happy to hear that. Can I ask you one more question?” “Yes, dear.” “Dad, can you tell me how much you earn in a day or even half a day?” “Nick, why are you asking this question?” Nick’s father was perplexed. But Nick was persistent. “Please answer me. Can you please tell me how much you earn in an hour?” Nick’s father gave in and replied, “It will be around $ 25/- per hour.”

Nick ran to his room upstairs, and came down with his piggy bank that contained his savings. “Dad, I have $50 in my piggy bank. Can you spare two hours for me? I want to go to the beach and have dinner with you tomorrow evening. Can you please mark this in your schedule?”

Nick’s father was speechless!

----

How was the writer describing Nick towards his parents?

Nick was a 10 year old boy. He was the only son to his parents. Nick’s father was a very busy businessman who could not spend time with his son. He came home after Nick slept, and was off to office before Nick woke up in the morning. Nick yearned for his father’s attention. He wanted to go outdoors and play with his father just like his friends did.

One day, Nick was surprised to see his father at home in the evening. “Dad, it is a big surprise to see you at home,” Nick said. “Yes son, my meeting was cancelled. So I’m at home. But after two hours I have to catch a flight,” his father replied. “When will you be back?” “Tomorrow noon.”

Nick was in deep thought for a while. Then he asked, “Dad, how much do you earn in a year?” Nick’s father was taken aback. He said, “My dear son, it’s a very big amount and you won’t be able to understand it.” “Ok dad, are you happy with the amount you earn?” “Yes my dear. I’m very happy, and in fact I’m planning to launch our new branch and a new business in a few months. Isn’t that great?” “Yes, dad. I’m happy to hear that. Can I ask you one more question?” “Yes, dear.” “Dad, can you tell me how much you earn in a day or even half a day?” “Nick, why are you asking this question?” Nick’s father was perplexed. But Nick was persistent. “Please answer me. Can you please tell me how much you earn in an hour?” Nick’s father gave in and replied, “It will be around $ 25/- per hour.”

Nick ran to his room upstairs, and came down with his piggy bank that contained his savings. “Dad, I have $50 in my piggy bank. Can you spare two hours for me? I want to go to the beach and have dinner with you tomorrow evening. Can you please mark this in your schedule?”

Nick’s father was speechless!

----

What can we learn from the story above?

Nick was a 10 year old boy. He was the only son to his parents. Nick’s father was a very busy businessman who could not spend time with his son. He came home after Nick slept, and was off to office before Nick woke up in the morning. Nick yearned for his father’s attention. He wanted to go outdoors and play with his father just like his friends did.

One day, Nick was surprised to see his father at home in the evening. “Dad, it is a big surprise to see you at home,” Nick said. “Yes son, my meeting was cancelled. So I’m at home. But after two hours I have to catch a flight,” his father replied. “When will you be back?” “Tomorrow noon.”

Nick was in deep thought for a while. Then he asked, “Dad, how much do you earn in a year?” Nick’s father was taken aback. He said, “My dear son, it’s a very big amount and you won’t be able to understand it.” “Ok dad, are you happy with the amount you earn?” “Yes my dear. I’m very happy, and in fact I’m planning to launch our new branch and a new business in a few months. Isn’t that great?” “Yes, dad. I’m happy to hear that. Can I ask you one more question?” “Yes, dear.” “Dad, can you tell me how much you earn in a day or even half a day?” “Nick, why are you asking this question?” Nick’s father was perplexed. But Nick was persistent. “Please answer me. Can you please tell me how much you earn in an hour?” Nick’s father gave in and replied, “It will be around $ 25/- per hour.”

Nick ran to his room upstairs, and came down with his piggy bank that contained his savings. “Dad, I have $50 in my piggy bank. Can you spare two hours for me? I want to go to the beach and have dinner with you tomorrow evening. Can you please mark this in your schedule?”

Nick’s father was speechless!

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The underlined word in “Nick yearned for his father’s attention …” is closest in meaning to ….

I have a cat in my house. The cat is male. I like to call him “Papay”. He is an … (A) cat since it is cute and charming. His body is fat. He has black and white fur.

I really love to cuddle him … (B) his fur feels soft. Every morning my mother gives a fish. Sometime he usually scratches out my arm when I play with him. He is an active animal. He likes to run around the house. He likes to chase everyone in my house. When he feels tired or sleepy, he usually sleeps on the sofa in the living room or sometime under the table.

“Papay” often goes out to find for food at night. And sometime he brings a mouse on his mouth. Then he eats … (C) in the back of my house for himself.

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The best answer for (A) is..

I have a cat in my house. The cat is male. I like to call him “Papay”. He is an … (A) cat since it is cute and charming. His body is fat. He has black and white fur.

I really love to cuddle him … (B) his fur feels soft. Every morning my mother gives a fish. Sometime he usually scratches out my arm when I play with him. He is an active animal. He likes to run around the house. He likes to chase everyone in my house. When he feels tired or sleepy, he usually sleeps on the sofa in the living room or sometime under the table.

“Papay” often goes out to find for food at night. And sometime he brings a mouse on his mouth. Then he eats … (C) in the back of my house for himself.

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The best answer for (B) is..

I have a cat in my house. The cat is male. I like to call him “Papay”. He is an … (A) cat since it is cute and charming. His body is fat. He has black and white fur.

I really love to cuddle him … (B) his fur feels soft. Every morning my mother gives a fish. Sometime he usually scratches out my arm when I play with him. He is an active animal. He likes to run around the house. He likes to chase everyone in my house. When he feels tired or sleepy, he usually sleeps on the sofa in the living room or sometime under the table.

“Papay” often goes out to find for food at night. And sometime he brings a mouse on his mouth. Then he eats … (C) in the back of my house for himself.

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The best answer for (C) is..

A mangrove is a tropical marine tree. Mangroves have

special aerial roots and salt-filtering tap roots which enable

… (A) to thrive in brackish water. Brackish water is salty but not as salty as sea water. Mangrove trees are commonly planted and found in coastal areas.

Mangroves can serve as walls of … (B) for natural disaster in coastal area like tsunami. Healthy mangrove forests had helped save lives in the Asia disaster tsunami and people tended to respect these natural barriers even more, especially after the tsunami.

There are several species of mangrove tree found all over the world. Some prefer more salinity, while others like to be very-close to a large fresh water source such as river. Some prefer areas that are sheltered from waves. Some species have their roots covered with sea water every day during high tide, but the other species grow on … (C) land but are still part of the ecosystem. The times of India reported that rare species of mangrove had been found and was also known as the looking-glass tree, probably because the leaves are silver-coated.

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The best answer for (A) is...

A mangrove is a tropical marine tree. Mangroves have

special aerial roots and salt-filtering tap roots which enable

… (A) to thrive in brackish water. Brackish water is salty but not as salty as sea water. Mangrove trees are commonly planted and found in coastal areas.

Mangroves can serve as walls of … (B) for natural disaster in coastal area like tsunami. Healthy mangrove forests had helped save lives in the Asia disaster tsunami and people tended to respect these natural barriers even more, especially after the tsunami.

There are several species of mangrove tree found all over the world. Some prefer more salinity, while others like to be very-close to a large fresh water source such as river. Some prefer areas that are sheltered from waves. Some species have their roots covered with sea water every day during high tide, but the other species grow on … (C) land but are still part of the ecosystem. The times of India reported that rare species of mangrove had been found and was also known as the looking-glass tree, probably because the leaves are silver-coated.

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The best answer for (B) is...

A mangrove is a tropical marine tree. Mangroves have

special aerial roots and salt-filtering tap roots which enable

… (A) to thrive in brackish water. Brackish water is salty but not as salty as sea water. Mangrove trees are commonly planted and found in coastal areas.

Mangroves can serve as walls of … (B) for natural disaster in coastal area like tsunami. Healthy mangrove forests had helped save lives in the Asia disaster tsunami and people tended to respect these natural barriers even more, especially after the tsunami.

There are several species of mangrove tree found all over the world. Some prefer more salinity, while others like to be very-close to a large fresh water source such as river. Some prefer areas that are sheltered from waves. Some species have their roots covered with sea water every day during high tide, but the other species grow on … (C) land but are still part of the ecosystem. The times of India reported that rare species of mangrove had been found and was also known as the looking-glass tree, probably because the leaves are silver-coated.

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The best answer for (C) is...

Rearrange the jumbled sentences below into a good text.

1. We arrived at the beach at 10 a.m.

2. After being satisfied playing on the beach, we took

a bath and have lunch.

3. Last holiday, I went to Sari Ringgung beach in Lampung.

4. We really enjoyed the atmosphere at the beach.

5. We left for the beach at 8 a.m. by car.

6. I went there with my family.

7. After swimming, we played sand together to make a house, a castle from the sand.

8. In the beach, I swam with my brother.

The best arrangement to make a short recount text is ….