The impact of globalization visibly and largely affects the politics and the economy of the country but

its
effect on the mindset and the culture is noticeable gradually in the way people think and react. Some of
these good and bad points of this worldwide

phenomenon are obvious fromn some points. People favoring globalization state that there is a
worldwide market for the companies and for the customers there is a better access to

products from different countries. Also, politics is merging and decisions that are being taken are
actually beneficial to people all over the world. Cultural intermingling increases and every nation tries to
knorv lnore about the other nations’ cultural preferences. In this process. we are actually coming across
things that lve like and in the course of time adopt it. However, there are also opponents of
globalization. There is immense pressure on the employed people of developed countries who are
always under the threat of their jobs being outsourced. Globalization may lead to loss of cultural identitv
as rvestern ideas are alr.vays imposed upon the eastern thoughts.

1. How can globalization be benef-rcial culturally?

A. Cultural adaption is more open and inevitable.

B. Developed countries realize the importance of education.

C. Political ideas inspire people for a more democratic unity.

D. Exchanges of western and eastern cultures become intensive.

E. People of different cultures are aware of others likes and dislikes.

The Graduation Standard

The implementation of the nerv graduation standard for High-School Students has evoked people to
bring different responses. Some people’s ideas are for some others againts the rule.

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

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

However, some other people believe that imposing a high standard will not be etfective. The results of
the exams have proven to be unreliable. How can you asses the students’ competence only in a couple
of days. A smart student for example, may get a low grade just because he is sick during the exam. On
the other hand, an idle student may achieve the standard due to luck. There should then be an
alternative way to the national exam.
Despite working on different points of view, the government’ this matter in the hope of getting a better
s relating party are intenselY solution upon improving the Hish-School raduates’qualit

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

A. The writer does not take side.

B. The writer follows the government’s policy.

C. The writer is strongly against it.

D. The r,vriter supports it.

E. The writer opposes it.

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

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

A. created

B. reminded

C. examined

D. gained

E. got

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

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

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

without the support from the teacher. They say that the evening is a good time for children to sit down
and think about what they have learned in school. Furthermore they claim that the school day is too
short to get anything done that needs doing and it makes sense to send home tasks like independent
reading or further writing tasks that don’t need teacher’s support.
On balance, I think that some homework is a good idea but that it should only given at the weekend
when children have more time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

E. 5

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

A. prepare for the next lesson

B. review their lessons

C. enjoy their pastime

D. do their hobbies

E. test themselves

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

A. terrible

B. careless

C. difficult

D. unimportant

E. uninteresting

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

A. Homework is pointless.

B. Homework is badly needed.

C. Homework should be given at weekend.

D. Student should not be given homework.

E. Student must frequently have homework.

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

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

The advantages of nuclear is as follows:

(1) It costs about the same as coal, so it’s not expensive to make.

(2) It doesn’t produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it doesn’t contribute to the greenhouse effect.

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

(4) It produces small amounts of waste.

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

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

9. The text discusses …

A. nuclear in general

B. nuclear biggest station

C. the danger of radioactive

D. the disadvantages of nuclear power

E. the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power

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

A. vile

B. dull

C. tiny

D. calm

E. safe

11. Why is nuclear power very dangerous?

Because …

A. its radioactivity lasts long

B. uranium is renewable

C. it is reliable

D. it is cheap

E. it is safe
12. Which statement is TRUE about nuclear?

A. It is reliable.

B. It is costly to make.

C. It causes air pollution.

D. It affects the greenhouse.

E. It produces small amount of energy

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

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

13. The two students are discussing …

A. the facilities in school

B. their homework

C. their uniform

D. their friends

E. their family

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

school.

Which statement shows his agreement?

A. He was not annoyed.

B. He would not obey the rule.

C. He didn’t care of the rule.

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

15. The boy believed that all students would …

A. have a high spirit to study

B. solve their own problems

C. care for their environment

D. follow the new rule,

E. feel uncomfortable

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

The underlined word is close in meaning to …

A. responsibility

B. displeasure

C. agreement

D. applause

E. response

Gift card Bring Advantages and Disadvantages

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

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

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

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

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

A. by influencing customers to merchant

B. by adding some costs producing them

C. by completing the shopping process

D. by applying purchasing process

E. by selling the products

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

A. the trend of gift cards

B. popularity of gift cards

C. benefit obtained by the retailer

D. the convenience of using gift cards

E. disadvantages in side of consumers

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

A. will be wise

B. will get lose

C. will get profit

D. will be in risk

E. will return

Study groups are commonly utilized by many student to prepare themselves for class discussions,
examinations, or class presentation. They can also make use of it to review their weak points and learn
new ideas. I myself find that we can learn more effectively in a study group. However, I can’t deny that
study group have also some disadvantages.
On the positive side a study groups gives the students motivation to study and update their readings
because other members likely give them encouragement. It also helps them to learn new ideas as well
as important points they missed on their readings so I could also share something.

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

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

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

A. Give them better ideas.

B. Come up with important ideas.

C. Are clever than them.

D. Solve the problem.

E. encourage them to study.