Everywhere you go nowadays, you see people using mobile phones. From school children to the people, you see them talking in the supermarket, on trains, in the street, everywhere!

So what are the advantages of mobile phones?

First of all, they are very convenient because you can phone from nearly everywhere. Another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situations.

For example, if you are alone in your car and it breaks down, you can get help quickly. In addition, you can also use mobile to text your friends or connect to the net.

However, there are disadvantages such as the cost. Mobile phone calls cost more than normal calls. Furthermore, it can be annoying if you are on the train or a bus, and you have to listen to someone else’s boring conversation. It happens because people can contact you anywhere, at anytime, unless you switch your phone off!

In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I feel mobile phones are a good thing because they give us more freedom and make communication easier.

Question:

“Another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situations.

The similar meaning of the underlined word is . . .

Sutiyoso will pick up an Asian Air Quality Management Award Friday at an international conference in Jokyakarta, but some people have questioned whether he really deserved the honor. The critics say Sutiyoso has done little to reduce air pollution in the capital.

I think Sutiyoso deserved the award. Althought we haven’t seen solid air quality management, he has restored the National Monument ( Monas ) park to a green cool area where families can jog or have a picnic.

He also initiated the bus way project, which I believed is a good step toward reducing air pollution in Jakarta.

However, the government has to take further action, such as limiting the number of motorcycles in Jakarta. All of motorcycles on the roads contribute t air pollution in the city.

On the other hand, some people can’t understand how Sutiyoso can win this award because they haven’t seen any improvement in Jakarta’s air management.

Jakarta is becoming more polluted as the authorities cut down moreand more trees for transportation project, and they don’t bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones, let alone develop new green areas.

The authorities should build more parks in the city to make Jakarta greener now, but the fences prevent people from getting in. In countries like Singapore and Australia, public parks are pleasant places to hang out.

What makes paragraph 2 different compared to paragraph 5 ?

Sutiyoso will pick up an Asian Air Quality Management Award Friday at an international conference in Jokyakarta, but some people have questioned whether he really deserved the honor. The critics say Sutiyoso has done little to reduce air pollution in the capital.

I think Sutiyoso deserved the award. Althought we haven’t seen solid air quality management, he has restored the National Monument ( Monas ) park to a green cool area where families can jog or have a picnic.

He also initiated the bus way project, which I believed is a good step toward reducing air pollution in Jakarta.

However, the government has to take further action, such as limiting the number of motorcycles in Jakarta. All of motorcycles on the roads contribute t air pollution in the city.

On the other hand, some people can’t understand how Sutiyoso can win this award because they haven’t seen any improvement in Jakarta’s air management.

Jakarta is becoming more polluted as the authorities cut down moreand more trees for transportation project, and they don’t bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones, let alone develop new green areas.

The authorities should build more parks in the city to make Jakarta greener now, but the fences prevent people from getting in. In countries like Singapore and Australia, public parks are pleasant places to hang out.

What does the text discuss about ?

Sutiyoso will pick up an Asian Air Quality Management Award Friday at an international conference in Jokyakarta, but some people have questioned whether he really deserved the honor. The critics say Sutiyoso has done little to reduce air pollution in the capital.

I think Sutiyoso deserved the award. Althought we haven’t seen solid air quality management, he has restored the National Monument ( Monas ) park to a green cool area where families can jog or have a picnic.

He also initiated the bus way project, which I believed is a good step toward reducing air pollution in Jakarta.

However, the government has to take further action, such as limiting the number of motorcycles in Jakarta. All of motorcycles on the roads contribute t air pollution in the city.

On the other hand, some people can’t understand how Sutiyoso can win this award because they haven’t seen any improvement in Jakarta’s air management.

Jakarta is becoming more polluted as the authorities cut down moreand more trees for transportation project, and they don’t bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones, let alone develop new green areas.

The authorities should build more parks in the city to make Jakarta greener now, but the fences prevent people from getting in. In countries like Singapore and Australia, public parks are pleasant places to hang out.

Question:

Monas is not attractive to get in because ....

Sutiyoso will pick up an Asian Air Quality Management Award Friday at an international conference in Jokyakarta, but some people have questioned whether he really deserved the honor. The critics say Sutiyoso has done little to reduce air pollution in the capital.

I think Sutiyoso deserved the award. Althought we haven’t seen solid air quality management, he has restored the National Monument ( Monas ) park to a green cool area where families can jog or have a picnic.

He also initiated the bus way project, which I believed is a good step toward reducing air pollution in Jakarta.

However, the government has to take further action, such as limiting the number of motorcycles in Jakarta. All of motorcycles on the roads contribute t air pollution in the city.

On the other hand, some people can’t understand how Sutiyoso can win this award because they haven’t seen any improvement in Jakarta’s air management.

Jakarta is becoming more polluted as the authorities cut down moreand more trees for transportation project, and they don’t bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones, let alone develop new green areas.

The authorities should build more parks in the city to make Jakarta greener now, but the fences prevent people from getting in. In countries like Singapore and Australia, public parks are pleasant places to hang out.

Question:

“ ... he has restored the National Monument ( Monas ) park to a green cool area .... ( paragraph 2)

The underlined word has the same meaning as ....

Sutiyoso will pick up an Asian Air Quality Management Award Friday at an international conference in Jokyakarta, but some people have questioned whether he really deserved the honor. The critics say Sutiyoso has done little to reduce air pollution in the capital.

I think Sutiyoso deserved the award. Althought we haven’t seen solid air quality management, he has restored the National Monument ( Monas ) park to a green cool area where families can jog or have a picnic.

He also initiated the bus way project, which I believed is a good step toward reducing air pollution in Jakarta.

However, the government has to take further action, such as limiting the number of motorcycles in Jakarta. All of motorcycles on the roads contribute t air pollution in the city.

On the other hand, some people can’t understand how Sutiyoso can win this award because they haven’t seen any improvement in Jakarta’s air management.

Jakarta is becoming more polluted as the authorities cut down moreand more trees for transportation project, and they don’t bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones, let alone develop new green areas.

The authorities should build more parks in the city to make Jakarta greener now, but the fences prevent people from getting in. In countries like Singapore and Australia, public parks are pleasant places to hang out.

Question:

“... , and they don’t bother to plant new trees to replace the old ones,.... (Paragraph 6)

The underlined words refer to ....

Multi Level Company (MLM), which has been mushrooming in our country, still becomes debates among those who agree with the system and those who disagree. Here are some of the arguments.

On the other hand, there are people who believe that the strategy can improve their income and way of life. By selling products, an MLMer will get an active income that is 20% - 30% profit of the price of the products.

If someone,let’s say Mr.Arnold can prosper people by becoming his/her downline, but he will receive a percentage from the goods the downlie buys. If the downline can also expand the network, Mr.Arnold will also get percentages.

Being an MLMer, one can develop one’s personality and encourage oneself to work harder. Since people are offer financial freedom by MLM, they will try to avoid inconvidence and shyness in promoting their products. MLM companies also conduct seminars and meetings to encourage people to work harder.

On the other hand, there are many MLMers fail to encourage people either to become members or buy their products. This is because MLM is neither advertised nor sold their products in general markets. Therefore, MLMers should spend more time in persuading people to consider the quality of their products. This really needs much spirit and not many people have this.

There are also people who do not agree that the company can improve people’s income. They say they see a cheesy, obvious, and blatant appeal to greed and materialism.

The few anti membership arguments do not discourage people to become an MLM. It depends on how people control and motivate themselves. Moreover, the marketing strategy has been legalized by government and has been the most expensive profession ever known.

What is the text about ?

Multi Level Company (MLM), which has been mushrooming in our country, still becomes debates among those who agree with the system and those who disagree. Here are some of the arguments.

On the other hand, there are people who believe that the strategy can improve their income and way of life. By selling products, an MLMer will get an active income that is 20% - 30% profit of the price of the products.

If someone,let’s say Mr.Arnold can prosper people by becoming his/her downline, but he will receive a percentage from the goods the downlie buys. If the downline can also expand the network, Mr.Arnold will also get percentages.

Being an MLMer, one can develop one’s personality and encourage oneself to work harder. Since people are offer financial freedom by MLM, they will try to avoid inconvidence and shyness in promoting their products. MLM companies also conduct seminars and meetings to encourage people to work harder.

On the other hand, there are many MLMers fail to encourage people either to become members or buy their products. This is because MLM is neither advertised nor sold their products in general markets. Therefore, MLMers should spend more time in persuading people to consider the quality of their products. This really needs much spirit and not many people have this.

There are also people who do not agree that the company can improve people’s income. They say they see a cheesy, obvious, and blatant appeal to greed and materialism.

The few anti membership arguments do not discourage people to become an MLM. It depends on how people control and motivate themselves. Moreover, the marketing strategy has been legalized by government and has been the most expensive profession ever known.

Question:

What is the main topic of paragraphs

4 ?

Multi Level Company (MLM), which has been mushrooming in our country, still becomes debates among those who agree with the system and those who disagree. Here are some of the arguments.

On the other hand, there are people who believe that the strategy can improve their income and way of life. By selling products, an MLMer will get an active income that is 20% - 30% profit of the price of the products.

If someone,let’s say Mr.Arnold can prosper people by becoming his/her downline, but he will receive a percentage from the goods the downlie buys. If the downline can also expand the network, Mr.Arnold will also get percentages.

Being an MLMer, one can develop one’s personality and encourage oneself to work harder. Since people are offer financial freedom by MLM, they will try to avoid inconvidence and shyness in promoting their products. MLM companies also conduct seminars and meetings to encourage people to work harder.

On the other hand, there are many MLMers fail to encourage people either to become members or buy their products. This is because MLM is neither advertised nor sold their products in general markets. Therefore, MLMers should spend more time in persuading people to consider the quality of their products. This really needs much spirit and not many people have this.

There are also people who do not agree that the company can improve people’s income. They say they see a cheesy, obvious, and blatant appeal to greed and materialism.

The few anti membership arguments do not discourage people to become an MLM. It depends on how people control and motivate themselves. Moreover, the marketing strategy has been legalized by government and has been the most expensive profession ever known.

Question:

An MLMer should have the following requirements to be successful, except ....

Multi Level Company (MLM), which has been mushrooming in our country, still becomes debates among those who agree with the system and those who disagree. Here are some of the arguments.

On the other hand, there are people who believe that the strategy can improve their income and way of life. By selling products, an MLMer will get an active income that is 20% - 30% profit of the price of the products.

If someone,let’s say Mr.Arnold can prosper people by becoming his/her downline, but he will receive a percentage from the goods the downlie buys. If the downline can also expand the network, Mr.Arnold will also get percentages.

Being an MLMer, one can develop one’s personality and encourage oneself to work harder. Since people are offer financial freedom by MLM, they will try to avoid inconvidence and shyness in promoting their products. MLM companies also conduct seminars and meetings to encourage people to work harder.

On the other hand, there are many MLMers fail to encourage people either to become members or buy their products. This is because MLM is neither advertised nor sold their products in general markets. Therefore, MLMers should spend more time in persuading people to consider the quality of their products. This really needs much spirit and not many people have this.

There are also people who do not agree that the company can improve people’s income. They say they see a cheesy, obvious, and blatant appeal to greed and materialism.

The few anti membership arguments do not discourage people to become an MLM. It depends on how people control and motivate themselves. Moreover, the marketing strategy has been legalized by government and has been the most expensive profession ever known.

question:

“MLM company also conduct seminars

and meeting to encourage people to work

harder ....”(Paragraph 4)

The underlined word is synonymous to ....

Multi Level Company (MLM), which has been mushrooming in our country, still becomes debates among those who agree with the system and those who disagree. Here are some of the arguments.

On the other hand, there are people who believe that the strategy can improve their income and way of life. By selling products, an MLMer will get an active income that is 20% - 30% profit of the price of the products.

If someone,let’s say Mr.Arnold can prosper people by becoming his/her downline, but he will receive a percentage from the goods the downlie buys. If the downline can also expand the network, Mr.Arnold will also get percentages.

Being an MLMer, one can develop one’s personality and encourage oneself to work harder. Since people are offer financial freedom by MLM, they will try to avoid inconvidence and shyness in promoting their products. MLM companies also conduct seminars and meetings to encourage people to work harder.

On the other hand, there are many MLMers fail to encourage people either to become members or buy their products. This is because MLM is neither advertised nor sold their products in general markets. Therefore, MLMers should spend more time in persuading people to consider the quality of their products. This really needs much spirit and not many people have this.

There are also people who do not agree that the company can improve people’s income. They say they see a cheesy, obvious, and blatant appeal to greed and materialism.

The few anti membership arguments do not discourage people to become an MLM. It depends on how people control and motivate themselves. Moreover, the marketing strategy has been legalized by government and has been the most expensive profession ever known.

QUESTION:

What is the purpose of the text ?

Below are the things that can be done by the parents to keep their children away from the negative sides of having mobile phones, except...

what is definition of argument pro..

Ben was a foolish old man. ..., His son was thoughtful and hardworking.

Aline thinks that caffeine is bad for her. ..., She drinks coffee every morning

Everywhere you go nowadays, you see people using mobile phones. From school children to the people, you see them talking in the supermarket, on trains, in the street, everywhere!

So what are the advantages of mobile phones?

The paragraph is part of .....

"After looking at both sides of issue, I think we should not have advertisements because they cost a lot of money and take up a lot of room in the papers. I don't think I find some of them interesting. I mainly disagree because it's junk mail." --- What is this paragraph called?

The Impact of Online Learning in Jambi Province During Haze Crisis

Jambi Province in Indonesia has grappled with severe haze crises, prompting schools to adopt online learning as a response. This approach, while ensuring safety and health, comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that warrant discussion.

One significant advantage of online learning during a haze crisis is the prioritization of safety and health. By engaging in remote education, students, teachers, and staff can minimize their exposure to hazardous air pollutants, safeguarding their well-being. Additionally, online learning enhances accessibility, particularly for students in remote areas. It bridges gaps in education, ensuring that a broader demographic can access quality learning materials.

However, the shift to online learning reveals glaring issues, particularly the digital divide. Not all students have equal access to reliable internet connectivity or digital devices, exacerbating educational inequalities. Moreover, the absence of social interaction in online learning can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder emotional development. This departure from traditional classrooms may also impact the overall quality of education, as direct teacher-student interaction and hands-on experiences are limited.

In conclusion, the adoption of online learning in Jambi Province during haze crises is a complex decision. While it ensures safety and accessibility, it also sheds light on critical challenges, such as the digital divide and the impact on social interaction and educational quality. Striking a balance between online and traditional methods is crucial to providing effective education in the face of environmental crises.


What is one significant advantage of adopting online learning during a haze crisis in Jambi Province?

The Impact of Online Learning in Jambi Province During Haze Crisis

Jambi Province in Indonesia has grappled with severe haze crises, prompting schools to adopt online learning as a response. This approach, while ensuring safety and health, comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that warrant discussion.

One significant advantage of online learning during a haze crisis is the prioritization of safety and health. By engaging in remote education, students, teachers, and staff can minimize their exposure to hazardous air pollutants, safeguarding their well-being. Additionally, online learning enhances accessibility, particularly for students in remote areas. It bridges gaps in education, ensuring that a broader demographic can access quality learning materials.

However, the shift to online learning reveals glaring issues, particularly the digital divide. Not all students have equal access to reliable internet connectivity or digital devices, exacerbating educational inequalities. Moreover, the absence of social interaction in online learning can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder emotional development. This departure from traditional classrooms may also impact the overall quality of education, as direct teacher-student interaction and hands-on experiences are limited.

In conclusion, the adoption of online learning in Jambi Province during haze crises is a complex decision. While it ensures safety and accessibility, it also sheds light on critical challenges, such as the digital divide and the impact on social interaction and educational quality. Striking a balance between online and traditional methods is crucial to providing effective education in the face of environmental crises.


How does online learning help bridge gaps in education?

The Impact of Online Learning in Jambi Province During Haze Crisis

Jambi Province in Indonesia has grappled with severe haze crises, prompting schools to adopt online learning as a response. This approach, while ensuring safety and health, comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that warrant discussion.

One significant advantage of online learning during a haze crisis is the prioritization of safety and health. By engaging in remote education, students, teachers, and staff can minimize their exposure to hazardous air pollutants, safeguarding their well-being. Additionally, online learning enhances accessibility, particularly for students in remote areas. It bridges gaps in education, ensuring that a broader demographic can access quality learning materials.

However, the shift to online learning reveals glaring issues, particularly the digital divide. Not all students have equal access to reliable internet connectivity or digital devices, exacerbating educational inequalities. Moreover, the absence of social interaction in online learning can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder emotional development. This departure from traditional classrooms may also impact the overall quality of education, as direct teacher-student interaction and hands-on experiences are limited.

In conclusion, the adoption of online learning in Jambi Province during haze crises is a complex decision. While it ensures safety and accessibility, it also sheds light on critical challenges, such as the digital divide and the impact on social interaction and educational quality. Striking a balance between online and traditional methods is crucial to providing effective education in the face of environmental crises.


What is one major challenge associated with the shift to online learning in Jambi Province?

The Impact of Online Learning in Jambi Province During Haze Crisis

Jambi Province in Indonesia has grappled with severe haze crises, prompting schools to adopt online learning as a response. This approach, while ensuring safety and health, comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that warrant discussion.

One significant advantage of online learning during a haze crisis is the prioritization of safety and health. By engaging in remote education, students, teachers, and staff can minimize their exposure to hazardous air pollutants, safeguarding their well-being. Additionally, online learning enhances accessibility, particularly for students in remote areas. It bridges gaps in education, ensuring that a broader demographic can access quality learning materials.

However, the shift to online learning reveals glaring issues, particularly the digital divide. Not all students have equal access to reliable internet connectivity or digital devices, exacerbating educational inequalities. Moreover, the absence of social interaction in online learning can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder emotional development. This departure from traditional classrooms may also impact the overall quality of education, as direct teacher-student interaction and hands-on experiences are limited.

In conclusion, the adoption of online learning in Jambi Province during haze crises is a complex decision. While it ensures safety and accessibility, it also sheds light on critical challenges, such as the digital divide and the impact on social interaction and educational quality. Striking a balance between online and traditional methods is crucial to providing effective education in the face of environmental crises.


What is mentioned as a potential impact of the absence of social interaction in online learning?

The Impact of Online Learning in Jambi Province During Haze Crisis

Jambi Province in Indonesia has grappled with severe haze crises, prompting schools to adopt online learning as a response. This approach, while ensuring safety and health, comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that warrant discussion.

One significant advantage of online learning during a haze crisis is the prioritization of safety and health. By engaging in remote education, students, teachers, and staff can minimize their exposure to hazardous air pollutants, safeguarding their well-being. Additionally, online learning enhances accessibility, particularly for students in remote areas. It bridges gaps in education, ensuring that a broader demographic can access quality learning materials.

However, the shift to online learning reveals glaring issues, particularly the digital divide. Not all students have equal access to reliable internet connectivity or digital devices, exacerbating educational inequalities. Moreover, the absence of social interaction in online learning can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder emotional development. This departure from traditional classrooms may also impact the overall quality of education, as direct teacher-student interaction and hands-on experiences are limited.

In conclusion, the adoption of online learning in Jambi Province during haze crises is a complex decision. While it ensures safety and accessibility, it also sheds light on critical challenges, such as the digital divide and the impact on social interaction and educational quality. Striking a balance between online and traditional methods is crucial to providing effective education in the face of environmental crises.


What does the conclusion suggest about the adoption of online learning in Jambi Province during haze crises?

SOAL SBMPTN (2014)

Parents send their children to school with the best of intentions, believing that formal education is what kids need to become productive, happy adults. Many parents do have qualms about how well schools are performing, but the conventional wisdom is that these issues can be resolved with more money, better teach­ers, more challenging curricula, or more rigorous tests. But what if the real problem is school itself? The unfor­tunate fact is that one of our most cherished institu­tions is, by its very nature, failing our children and our society.

Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workspaces. In recent decades, we have been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there is a strong evi­dence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they have realized that kids do most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those school.

Compulsory education has been a fixture of our culture now for several generations. President Obama and Secretary of Education Anne Duncan are so enamored of it that they want even longer school days and years. Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not of research. The blueprint for them was developed during the Protestant Reformation, when schools were created to teach children to read the Bi­ble, to believe Scripture without questioning it, and to obey authority figures without questioning them. When schools were taken over by the state, made compulsory, and directed toward secular ends, the basic structure and methods of teaching remained unchanged. Subsequent attempts at reform have failed because they have not altered blueprint. The top down, teach­ and ­test method, in which learning is motivated by a system of reward and punishments rather than by curiosity or by any real desire to know, is well designed for indoctrination and obedience train­ing but not much else. It is no wonder that many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators either left school early (like Thomas Edison) or said they hat­ed school and learned despite it, not because of it (like Albert Einstein).

Question: What is the topic of the text above?

SOAL SBMPTN (2014)

Parents send their children to school with the best of intentions, believing that formal education is what kids need to become productive, happy adults. Many parents do have qualms about how well schools are performing, but the conventional wisdom is that these issues can be resolved with more money, better teach­ers, more challenging curricula, or more rigorous tests. But what if the real problem is school itself? The unfor­tunate fact is that one of our most cherished institu­tions is, by its very nature, failing our children and our society.

Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workspaces. In recent decades, we have been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there is a strong evi­dence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they have realized that kids do most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those school.

Compulsory education has been a fixture of our culture now for several generations. President Obama and Secretary of Education Anne Duncan are so enamored of it that they want even longer school days and years. Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not of research. The blueprint for them was developed during the Protestant Reformation, when schools were created to teach children to read the Bi­ble, to believe Scripture without questioning it, and to obey authority figures without questioning them. When schools were taken over by the state, made compulsory, and directed toward secular ends, the basic structure and methods of teaching remained unchanged. Subsequent attempts at reform have failed because they have not altered blueprint. The top down, teach­ and ­test method, in which learning is motivated by a system of reward and punishments rather than by curiosity or by any real desire to know, is well designed for indoctrination and obedience train­ing but not much else. It is no wonder that many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators either left school early (like Thomas Edison) or said they hat­ed school and learned despite it, not because of it (like Albert Einstein).

Question: What is the purpose of the text?

SOAL SBMPTN (2014)

Parents send their children to school with the best of intentions, believing that formal education is what kids need to become productive, happy adults. Many parents do have qualms about how well schools are performing, but the conventional wisdom is that these issues can be resolved with more money, better teach­ers, more challenging curricula, or more rigorous tests. But what if the real problem is school itself? The unfor­tunate fact is that one of our most cherished institu­tions is, by its very nature, failing our children and our society.

Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workspaces. In recent decades, we have been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there is a strong evi­dence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they have realized that kids do most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those school.

Compulsory education has been a fixture of our culture now for several generations. President Obama and Secretary of Education Anne Duncan are so enamored of it that they want even longer school days and years. Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not of research. The blueprint for them was developed during the Protestant Reformation, when schools were created to teach children to read the Bi­ble, to believe Scripture without questioning it, and to obey authority figures without questioning them. When schools were taken over by the state, made compulsory, and directed toward secular ends, the basic structure and methods of teaching remained unchanged. Subsequent attempts at reform have failed because they have not altered blueprint. The top down, teach­ and ­test method, in which learning is motivated by a system of reward and punishments rather than by curiosity or by any real desire to know, is well designed for indoctrination and obedience train­ing but not much else. It is no wonder that many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators either left school early (like Thomas Edison) or said they hat­ed school and learned despite it, not because of it (like Albert Einstein).

Question: What is the purpose of the text?

SOAL SBMPTN (2014)

Parents send their children to school with the best of intentions, believing that formal education is what kids need to become productive, happy adults. Many parents do have qualms about how well schools are performing, but the conventional wisdom is that these issues can be resolved with more money, better teach­ers, more challenging curricula, or more rigorous tests. But what if the real problem is school itself? The unfor­tunate fact is that one of our most cherished institu­tions is, by its very nature, failing our children and our society.

Children are required to be in school, where their freedom is greatly restricted, far more than most adults would tolerate in their workspaces. In recent decades, we have been compelling them to spend ever more time in this kind of setting, and there is a strong evi­dence that this is causing psychological damage to many of them. And as scientists have investigated how children naturally learn, they have realized that kids do most deeply and fully, and with greatest enthusiasm, in conditions that are almost opposite to those school.

Compulsory education has been a fixture of our culture now for several generations. President Obama and Secretary of Education Anne Duncan are so enamored of it that they want even longer school days and years. Most people assume that the basic design of today’s schools emerged from scientific evidence about how children learn. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Schools as we know them today are a product of history, not of research. The blueprint for them was developed during the Protestant Reformation, when schools were created to teach children to read the Bi­ble, to believe Scripture without questioning it, and to obey authority figures without questioning them. When schools were taken over by the state, made compulsory, and directed toward secular ends, the basic structure and methods of teaching remained unchanged. Subsequent attempts at reform have failed because they have not altered blueprint. The top down, teach­ and ­test method, in which learning is motivated by a system of reward and punishments rather than by curiosity or by any real desire to know, is well designed for indoctrination and obedience train­ing but not much else. It is no wonder that many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs and innovators either left school early (like Thomas Edison) or said they hat­ed school and learned despite it, not because of it (like Albert Einstein).

Question: Which of the following has the closest meaning to the word "qualms" (Line 4).

Will solar energy ever be a main source of energy for industrial societies? The solar energy is cheaper than any fossil fuel because we can get the abundant source of energy from the sun.

In sunny deserts, the sun’s radiation that reaches the ground can be used to produce electricity for industries and homes. In one of experiment, solar ponds can produce hot water to drive generators.

Unfortunately, we can’t power our homes entirely on sunlight. Solar energy can only be exploited in bright light. Its great potential, therefore, is in countries that have clear skies for most of the year. Most houses, however, are not in the sunniest part of the world. In addition to convert sunlight directly into electricity, solar cells are needed. Although they are very cheap to turn, relatively they are expensive to buy and many people can’t afford them.

Question: Which of the following statements does not agree with the text?

Will solar energy ever be a main source of energy for industrial societies? The solar energy is cheaper than any fossil fuel because we can get the abundant source of energy from the sun.

In sunny deserts, the sun’s radiation that reaches the ground can be used to produce electricity for industries and homes. In one of experiment, solar ponds can produce hot water to drive generators.

Unfortunately, we can’t power our homes entirely on sunlight. Solar energy can only be exploited in bright light. Its great potential, therefore, is in countries that have clear skies for most of the year. Most houses, however, are not in the sunniest part of the world. In addition to convert sunlight directly into electricity, solar cells are needed. Although they are very cheap to turn, relatively they are expensive to buy and many people can’t afford them.

Question: The word "abundant" can be replaced with...................

There are differences of opinions on the Avian Flu. Some said this disease may claim 150 million deaths but there are others who said current alarm on avian flu is unwarranted as there is no proof of spreading between humans.

According to United Nation's chief coordinator on bird flu said 150 million or more could die from the disease, if a pandemic strike. One of the frightening issues for a human flu pandemic arising from avian influenza is its unpredictability.

It is difficult to estimate the death toll should H5N1 virus mutates into a form. Which can be easily transmitted between human. It is not possible to predict whether a pandemic would occur once or it would repeat. However, an epidemiologist recommended that Government should take every possible precaution the threat of bird flu, seriously.

Contrary to all dire talks about avian flu pandemic coming, an Ecologist dismissed the current panic as unsubstantiated and guess work.

Ecologists commented that H5N 1 virus still remains a bird virus and has no scientific evidences of human‑to‑human transmission. They said there are billions of people across Asia which only 118 are reported being affected by avian flu. So, how do they calculate to show that 150 million or more deaths will come from avian flu. The global panic, according to the Ecologist, is the result of “scare tactics" created by politicians, medical officers, and the media.

It is premature to predict the outcome of avian flu. Health scientist could confirm the possibility of human‑to‑human transmission. The advice is to keep calm and stay alert because if you do, you will weaken your resistance and reduce your immune system.

What does the text discuss?

Ecologists commented that H5N 1 virus still remains a bird virus and has no scientific evidences of human‑to‑human transmission. They said there are billions of people across Asia which only 118 are reported being affected by avian flu. So, how do they calculate to show that 150 million or more deaths will come from avian flu. The global panic, according to the Ecologist, is the result of “scare tactics" created by politicians, medical officers, and the media.

The underlined word refers to ....

School uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. Almost one in five US public schools required students to wear uniforms during thelast years.Proponents say that school uniforms make schools safer for students, create a “level playing field” that reduces socioeconomic disparities, and encourage children to focus on their studies rather than their clothes.

While there are numerous pros and cons of animal testing, the ethical aspect overshadows both of them, which means that emotion may be the ultimate determining factor in whether a person believes the benefits of animal testing outweigh the problems associated with the practice.

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.

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

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.

How do we compare the second and the fourth paragraph

"Based on the above discussion, the government should not banned Muslim’s headscarf as a part of school or office uniforms." --- What does the writer suggest?