Soal Reading Long Functional Text




This text is for questions 1 to 4.

The story of the Alhambra is linked with the geographical place where it is located: Granada, Spain. On a rocky hill that is difficult to access, on the banks of the River Darro, protected by mountains and surrounded by woods, among the oldest quarters in the city, the Alhambra rises up like an imposing castle with reddish tones in its ramparts that prevent the outside world from seeing the delicate beauty they enclose.

Originally designed as a military area, the Alhambra became the residence of a royalty and of the court of Granada in the middle of the thirteenth century, after the establishment of the Nasrid Kingdom and the construction of the first palace, by the founder king Mohammed Ibn Yusuf ben Nasr, better known as Alhamar.

Throughout the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, the fortress became a citadel with high ramparts and defensive towers, which house two main areas: the military area, or Alcazaba, the barracks of the royal guard, and the medina or court city, the location of the famous Nasrid Palaces and the remains of the houses of noblemen and plebeians who lived there. The Charles V Palace, (which was built after the city was taken by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492) is also in the medina.

The complex of monuments also has an independent palace opposite the Alhambra, surrounded by orchards and gardens, which was where the Granadine kings relaxed: the Generalife.

1. What is the writer's intention to write the text?
    A. To promote a tourist resort.
    B. To describe a historical place.
    C. To relate the history of a place.
    D. To tell us about a past history.

2. From the text we know that Alhambra is ...
    A. a palace and fortress complex
    B. a castle and military area
    C. an old military headquarter
    D. another name of Granada

3. What is the main idea of the third paragraph?
    A. The Charles V Palace is also in the medina of the fortress.
    B. The medina or court city, the location of the famous Nasrid Palaces.
    C. The fortress became a citadel with high ramparts and defensive towers.
    D. The fortress houses two main areas: the military area and medina.

4. "... seeing the delicate beauty they enclose." (Paragraph 1)
    The underlined word is closest in meaning to ...
    A. satisfying
    B. smooth
    C. delicious
    D. exquisite

This text is for questions 5 to 8.

Italy's Amalfi Coast boasts a classic Mediteranean landscape, a sensual blend of both natural and cultural wonders. The breathtaking terrain inlcudes dramatic coastline topography scattered with terraced vineyardsm orchards, and pastures-often with enchanting views of the vibrant waters below.

Kind climate, abundant resources, and natural beauty have drawn people to this coast for many centuries and the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Saracens, Arab-Sicillians, and many others have left their mark. Amalfi  communities often cluster along cliffs, their terraces blending into the rock to add their own picturesque charm to the natural beauty of the coast. Upon closer inspection, towns like Amalfi and Ravello are home to many examples of artistic and architectural excellence-not a surprise, since this stretch of the Sorrento Peninsula has long attracted famous artists of all stripes.

Amalfi itself thrives as a picturesque tourist centre, but in the 11th and 12th centuries the city centred the Amalfi Maritime Republic and was a naval power to be reckoned with throughout the Mediterranean. Amalfi's ports also saw extensive trade with North Africa, and the city retains cloisters of Arab-Sicilian architecture throughout, as well as the Arsenale-a partially preserved medieval shipyard from a glorious era.

One of the most enjoyable things to do on the Amalfi Coast is to simply find a spot where you can soak it all in. Among the top locations is Monte Solaro, a B & B in Anacapri with stunning views of the twin bays Salerno and Naples.

5. What is the text mostly about?
    A. The beautiful the Sorrento Peninsula.
    B. The breathtaking coastline topography.
    C. Italy's wonderful Mediteranian coast.
    D. Places of artistic and architectural excellence.

6. Along time ago, Amalfi Coast was popular as ...
    A. a maritime country
    B. a fish auction centre
    C. beautiful twin bays
    D. extensive trading ports

7. From the text, it can be concluded that ...
    A. Amalfi Coast has a large and flat area
    B. one of most favorite hostels is Monte Solaro
    C. there is a popular naval base in Amalfi Coast
    D. local people build their houses along the coast

8. "... a partially preserved medieval shipyard from a glorious era."
    A. Bright.
    B. Excellent.
    C. Radiant.
    D. Valuable.

This text is for questions 9 to 11. 

Let me tell you the most creepy experience in my life. It happened when I was six years old and my family just moved onto new land that was inherited from my grandfather to us.

Our place was located in a mountainous area and we happened to live close to an old cemetery where we had several relatives buried. Right down the road I noticed a historical landmark stating facts about the battle during the independence war. I continued growing up on this land, playing, making tree houses and exploring the small forest nearby with no paranormal experiences of any kind until the age of thirteen.

One night I was falling asleep in my bed and I got one of those feelings like I was being watched. I opened my eyes to see a white long haired figure that looked very old and wore a long white dress. To my shock, its face seemed to be made of what looked like porcelain. The second I saw it, I couldn't move or breathe. It moved to the foot of my bed in a sort of morphing like movement. Once it was there, its face came out about 15 cm, then turned a quarter rotation and the eyes so horrible and terrifying! I could see the spirit clearly for about fifteen seconds. It didn't go away until I started praying out loud asking god to take it away, then it started to slowly fade.

I didn't know whether I was hallucinating. A month later I was watching a show, based on old tales of ghost and night terrors, and what did I see? an illustration of the exact same thing that I saw in my room that night. I never ever sleep in that room after that nightmare.

9. The text tells us mainly about the writer's ...
    A. experience living in a remote area
    B. accident when sleeping in his room
    C. new house in a mountainous area
    D. most terrifying moment in a new place

10. What was a figure that the writer saw like?
    A. It had a friendly smile.
    B. It had a long white beard.
    C. Its face was very smooth.
    D. It had obscure sunken in eyes.

11. "...then it started to slowly fade." (Paragraph 3)
    The underlined word is similar in meaning to ...
     A. drown
     B. dissolve
     C. publish
     D. disappear

This text is for questions 12 to 14.

After graduating in tourism from a reputable university in Yogyakarta, my cousin was unemployed for almost a year. During that period, she visited many interesting places around the country. She took notes on special attractions, traditions, cultures and environment of those regions.

When an advertisement was published by a leading local newspaper looking for a journalist, she applied for the post and was employed by the company. With her travelling experience, she was assigned to the Tour and Travel Department.

Needless to say, her new job required that she traveled extensively, not only from one region to another, but also from one country to another. Her degree in tourism and her travelling experiences helped her get along well with the job. She has written many remarkable articles and short stories about tour and travel since she started working there.

12. The main idea of the second paragraph is that the writer's cousin ...
     A. had a job in a local newspaper
     B. read an vacancy advertisement
     C. applied for a job as a journalist
     D. was assigned to travelling division.

13. From the text we know that the writer's cousin ...
     A. wants to be a  journalist
     B. has traveled overseas
     C. worked soon after graduating
     D. was offered a job in newspaper

14. "... her new job required that she travel extensively..." (paragraph 3)
      What does the underlined word mean?
      A. Broadly
      B. Frequently
      C. Temporarily
      D. Regularly

This text is for questions 15 to 17. 

Monarch butterflies are the most beautiful of all butterflies, some say, and are considered the "king" of the butterflies, hence the name "monarch".

Monarch butterflies go thorough four stages during one life cycle, and through four generations in one year. The four stages of the monarch butterfly life cycle are the egg, the larvae (caterpillar), the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult butterfly. The four generations are actually four different butterflies going through these four stages during one year until it is time to start over again with stage one and generation one.

In February and March. the final generation of hibernating monarch butterflies comes out of hibernation to find a mate. they then migrate north and east in order to find a place to lay their eggs. This starts stage one and generation one of the new year for the monarch butterfly.

15. What is the text about?
     A. The most beautiful butterflies.
     B. The characteristics of butterflies.
     C. The four generations of butterflies.
     D. The life cycle of monarch butterflies.

16. What do the butterflies do after the hibernation period is over?
     A. Find a mate.
     B. Search for food.
     C. Lay their eggs.
     D. Find a safer place.

17. What can be inferred from the text?
      A. The butterflies migrate to find their mates.
      B. A larvae then grows to be an adult butterfly.
      C. In a year the butterflies go through four life cycles.
      D. The butterflies mostly sleep in February and March.

This text is for questions 18 to 20. 

You know the saying "lightning never strikes the same place twice? Forget it. On a good night, one lake in Venezuela host thousands of lightning strikes every hour.

The phenomenon is known variously as the Beacon of Maracaibo, Catatumbo lightning or-cue dramatic roll of thunder - the "everlasting storm". That last one might be a slight exaggeration but where the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo there is an average of 260 storm  days per year. here the night sky is regualrly illuminated for nine hours with thousands of flashes of naturally produced electricity.

Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo earned a place in the Genuineness Book of World records for "highest concentration of lightning" with 250 lightning flashes per square kilometer each year. The storms ease off in the dryer months of January and February and are most spectacular at the wet season around October. At this time of year, you can see an average of 28 lightning flashes each minute.

The Catatumbo lightning is bright enough that it can be seen 400 km (250 miles) away and colonial sailors were said to use it for navigation. The force and duration of the storms have inspired many tales but eyewitness claims the lightning is multi-colored are a trick of the light.

18. The writer's purpose in writing the text is ...
      A. to describe a natural phenomenon
      B. to relate a spectacular natural event
      C. to inform where a lightning occurs
      D. to explain how a lightning takes place

19. From the text we know that the Catatumbo lightning is an everlasting storm because it ...
      A. hits a large area.
      B. flashes every minute.
      C. creates spectacular views.
      D. strikes more than half of a year's days.

20. "That last one might be a slight exaggeration but ... " (paragraph 2)
      What does the underlined word mean?
      A. judgement.
      B. Pretension.
      C. Confession.
      D. Overstatement.

This text is for questions 21 to 23.

Seblak 

Ingredients:

  • 200 gr raw yellow aci crackers 
  • 3 eggs 
  • 5 meatballs (sliced thinly) 
  • 2 beef sausage (sliced thinly) 
  • 1 green onion (finely sliced) 
  • salt to taste 
  • granulated sugar 
  • flavoring 
  • sufficient water 
  • vegetable oil 
Spices:

  • 5 onions 
  • 2 cloves of garlic 
  • 15 red chilies 
  • 2 tsp tamarind water 
  • 1 tomato 
What to do: 

  1. Boil the aci crackers in a pot until soft and lift. \Dip the crackers in cold water for a whilee, then lift and drain. 
  2. Dip the crackers in cold water for a while, then lift and drain. 
  3. grind all the spices thoroughly. 
  4. heat the pan add sufficient vegetable oil. Wait until hot and saute the spices until fragrant. 
  5. Pour a glass pf water and add the boiled crackers. 
  6. Cook until a bit gravy and add beaten eggs, slices of meatballs, sausages and green onions. 
  7. Add sugar, salt and flavoring, and stir well. 
  8. remove from the pan and serve it. 
21. The writer's purpose in writing the text is ...
     A. to explain how seblak is made.
     B. to show steps to make seblak.
     C. to relate an event of making seblak.
     D. to instruct readers to make seblak.

22. From the text we know that ...
     A. the dish tastes quite spicy
     B. we have to slice the onions and garlic
     C. the main ingredient are meatballs
     D. we let the boiled crackers in hot water for a while

23. When should we add water?
     A. Before the crackers become tender.
     B. After the ground spices are sauteed.
     C. After vegetables oil is hot enough.
     D. Before vegetables oil is poured into the pan.

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