Unit Nine
DISCUSSION
Social Function:
To present (at least) two points of view
about an issue.
Generic Structure:
Ø
Issue:
- Statement
- Preview
Ø
Arguments for and against or statement of
different points of view.
- Point
- Elaboration
Ø
Conclusion or Recommendation
Significant Lexicogrammatical Features
§ Focus on generic human and generic non-human Participants.
§ Use of:
-
Material Processes, e.g. has produced,
have developed, to feed.
-
Relational Processes, e.g. is, could have,
cause, are.
-
Mental Processes, e.g. feel
§
Use of Comparative: contrastive and
consequential conjunctions.
§
Reasoning expressed as verbs and nouns
(abstraction)
Read
the following example of a discussion text:
Gene Splicing
Issue
Genetic research has produced both
exciting and frightening possibilities. Scientists are now able to create new
forms of life in the laboratory due to the development of gene splicing.
Arguments for
Point
On the one hand, the ability to create
life in the laboratory could greatly benefit mankind.
Elaboration
For example, because it is very expensive
to obtain insulin from natural sources, scientists have developed a method to
manufacture it expensively in the laboratory.
Point
Another beneficial application of gene
splicing is in agriculture.
Elaboration
Scientists foresee the day when new plants
will be developed using nitrogen from the air instead of from fertilizer.
Therefore food production could be increased. In addition, entirely new plants
could be developed to feed the world’s hungry people.
Argument against
Point
Not everyone is excited about gene
splicing, however. Some people feel that it could have terrible consequences.
Elaboration
A laboratory accident, for example, might
cause an epidemic of an unknown disease that could wipe out humanity.
Conclusion
As a result of this controversy, the
government has made rules to control genetic experiments. While some members of
the scientific community feel that these rules are too strict, many other
people feel that they are still not strict enough.
Text 1
In The City
Living in a city has both advantages and
disadvantages. On the plus side, it is often easies to find work, and there is
usually a choice of public transport, so do not need to own car. Also there are
a lot of interest thing to and places to see. For example, you can eat in good
restaurants, visit museums and go, to the theatre and to concerts. What is
more, when you want to relax, you can usually find a park where you can feed
the ducks or just sit on a park bench and read a book. All in all, city life is
full of bustle and variety and you need never feel bored.
However, for every plus there is a minus.
For one thing, you might have a job, but unless it is very well paid, you will
not be able to afford many of the things that are to do, because living in a
city is often very expensive. It is particularly difficult to find good, cheap
accommodation. What is more, public transport is sometimes crowded and dirty,
particularly in the rush hour and even the parks can become more crowded,
especially on Sundays when it seems that every city dweller is looking for some
open space and green grass. Last of all, despite all the crowds, it is still
possible to feel very lonely in a city.
1. Which
statement is true according to the text?
a. public
transport is very crowded on Sundays
b. despite all
the crowd, rich people feel very lonely in city
c. finding
good, cheap accommodation is not easy in a city
d. older
people who like the excitement of the city prefer living in a city
e. young
people who have young children do not mind the noise and pollution
2. Why
will not you be able to afford many things in a city?
a. since
living in a city is often very dear
b. because you
do not have a good job
c. since you
might have a very well paid job
d. because
city life is full of bustle and variety
e. because it
is particularly difficult to find good, cheap accommodation
3. It is particularly difficult to find good,
cheap accommodation. Accommodation has the same meaning as ...
a. a city park
b. food and
drink
c. a well paid
job
d. interesting
places
e. rooms for
living in
4. Which
one belongs to the organization of the text?
a.
thesis-argument-reiteration
b. thesis-
argument-recommendation
c.
orientation-complication-resolution
d. a general
statement- a sequenced explanation
e. issue-
statement of differing points of view-conclusion
5.
The writer’s arguments for is in paragraph …
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
Text 2
THE
CONTROVERSY OF HARNESSING SOLAR ENERGY
We often hear about solar car, solar
heating or solar batteries. But will solar energy ever be a major source of
energy for industrial societies? The solar energy is cheaper than any other
fossil fuel because we can get the abundant source from the sun.
In sunny desert areas, 50% of the sun’s
radiation that reaches the ground could be used to produce electricity of
business and industry, to provide heat, light and not water for homes.
Experimental solar ponds can produce hot water to drive generators.
Unfortunately, we can’t yet power our
homes entirely on sunlight. Solar energy can only be exploited in bright light.
Its greatest potential, therefore, is in hot countries that have clear skies
for most of the year. While most houses are not always in the sunniest part of
the world. In addition, to harness to solar power, solar cells are very cheap
to run, but relatively to buy and many people can’t afford it.
Needless to say that solar energy is a
useful and non-polluted source of energy. Nevertheless, solar cells, the main
important device to harness the sun’s energy are still very expensive.
6. Which
is true according to the text?
a. The fossil
fuel is more expensive than solar energy
b. Solar
energy has been major source of energy
c. Solar
energy is not familiar to us
d. Fossil fuel
can’t be found easily
e. Solar energy
can’t be used to make energy
7. The
communicative purpose of the text is…
a. to deal
with actual vicarious experience in different ways
b. to
entertain the readers about harnessing solar energy
c. to explain
the processes involved in the information
d. to critics
an art work or event for a public audience
e. to present
information and opinions about more than one side of an issue
8. The
type of the text is…
a. review
b. new items
c. explanation
d. discussion
e. hortatory
exposition
9. Which
is true according to the text?
a. we can find
devices to harness the sun`s energy easily
b. the topic
of the text above is exploiting solar energy
c.
experimental solar ponds can product water to drive generator
d. we have
powered one homes entirely on sunlight
e. solar cells
are very expensive to run
10. Unfortunately, we can not power
our homes entirely on sunlight.
The underlined word means…
a partly
b. some of
them
c. whole
d. directly
e. freely
11. In
addition, to harness the solar power, solar cells are needed to convert
the sunlight directly into electricity. The underlined word means …
a. replace
b. produce
c. come out
d. change
e. eliminate
12. The text above mainly tells us
about …
a. fossil fuel
b. exploiting
bright light
c. solar
energy
d. solar cell
e. two point
of views
Text 3
CIGARETTES,
SMOKERS, AND SMOKING
Smoking is a bad habit is very to break.
Smokers are everywhere. Many people are smoke just to socialize, but many
others are too addicted to quit
A cigarette is like a toxin hypermarket.
You can find many kinds of toxin in it: acetone, carbon monoxide, tar, arsenic,
ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and toluene. The tar itself contains more than 43
substances that can cause cancer. Scientist says that when we are smoking, we
put more than 4000 kinds of toxic materials into our body.
However, many smokers believe that a
cigarette with low tar is less dangerous. And so is a filtered cigarette. But
the problem is one cigarette is never enough for addicted smokers.
Another myth about smoking is that it can
not only make them awake but also raise their inspiration. This is contrary to
the findings of a research in California which show that smoker’s ability to
think is lower than that of non smokers.
Smoking is indeed a serious social problem
in our country. The government keeps reminding that smoking is dangerous, not
only for smokers themselves, but also for other people in the surrounding
(passive smokers). But the warning does not seem to get any response.
13. The text discusses about …
a. addicted
smokers
b. the kind of
cigarettes
c. the danger
of smoking
d. the benefit
of smoking
e. the
chemical substances in cigarette
14. One myth about smoking is …
a. cigarettes
consist of toxic
b. it
decreases the thinking ability
c. smoking
make people stronger
d. inspiration
comes after smoking cigarettes
e. smoking
disturb blood circulation to brain
15. The text suggests that …
a. a cigarette
with low tar is healthier
b. smoking is
dangerous for people health
c. there is
not nicotine in low tar cigarette
d. low tar
cigarette are free from carbon monoxide
e. smoking
many cigarette with low tar is economical
16. … but many others are too addicted
to quit. (paragraph 1)
The word addicted means …
a. lazy to do
something
b. worried to
do something
c. unable to
stop something
d. reluctant
to do something
e. willing to
stop something
Text 4
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 student look great
and like real educated persons. The first student gave the reasons that they
classrooms were not air conditioned. The second said it wasn’t a big problem.
He was sure that the student would wear them proudly. The would surely be used
to it any way.
17. The two students are discussing…
a. the
facilities in school
b. their
homework
c. their
uniform
d. their
friends
e. their
family
18. The boy said that he agreed with
the new rule in his school.
Which statement shows his agreement?
a. he was not
annoyance
b. he would
not obey the rule
c. he didn’t
care of the rule
d. he didn’t
like wearing a cap and a tie
e. he didn’t
mind wearing a cap and a tie
19. 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
20. “One of them showed her annoyance…”
(line 2)
The underlined
word is close in meaning to…
a.
responsibility
b. displeasure
c. agreement
d. applause
e. response
Text 5
Contraceptive use has dropped 20
percent in Indonesia, a trend that sparked fears of a population explosion.
Central statistic agency (BPS) data
reveals that Jakarta headed the plunge with a 22.24 percent drop from the 71.72
percent of women of child bearing age who used contraception in 1997. West Java
recorder a 21 percent decrease, 15percent in east java, the country’s most populous
province, and 10 percent in Bali, which has the country’s lowest birth rate.
BPS released its latest welfare
statistics in 1997, when 36 million people were registered as contraceptive
users.
The secretary of National Family
Planning Coordinating board (BKKBN), Lalu Sumardi, told the Jakarta Post on
Sunday that that decline was caused by reasons ranging from financial concerns
to male attitudes.
“Contraceptive are no longer
affordable to most poor people” Lalu said. Poor people were reluctant to buy
prescription pills, which were free during the new order regime that fell in
1998.
21. The text is mainly about…
a. population
explosion
b. the new
order regime
c. the most
populous province
d. the decline
of contraceptive use
e. central
statistic agency data
22. The main idea of the fifth
paragraph is that…
a. poor people
prefer to have pills
b. poor people
were happy with free pills
c.
contraceptive are beyond poor people’s reach
d. pills were
cheaper during the new order regime
e. the new
order regime couldn’t afford to buy contraceptives
23.”lalu said poor people were reluctant
to buy prescription pills…” (The last
paragraph)
a. sad
b. happy
c. worried
d. curious
e. unwilling
24. Which statement is TRUE according
to the text?
a. Bali is the
most populous province
b. East java
has the country’s lowest birth rate
c. poor people
are tree to have pills
d. there were
36 million contraceptive users in 1997
e. One reason
of the decline is BKKBN’s advice
Text 1
Some high school and college students have
part-time jobs. They do them at different time; before school, after school and
at weekends. Some people believe this is good. By doing part time jobs students
earn money, and therefore learn to be independent. They help themselves and
their families financially. They appreciate for it, value of money more than
students who just ask their parents for it.
Some people, however, thinks that students should
not work. They believe that students have two full time jobs already, growing
up and going to school. According to them, part time jobs make students tired.
Tired students cannot study well. They tend to lose their tempers easily. They
also tend to fall asleep in class, and when they do, their class mates usually
make fun of them. According to these people, education is more important than
money. Student should not do part time jobs.
25. Student can’t do part time jobs ….
a. before
going to school d. on holiday
b. after
school e. during lesson time
c. at
weekends
26. What does the text above tell us about?
a. Part
time jobs.
b. The
jobs of students.
c. Full
time jobs.
d. Learning
to be independent for students.
e. Studying
and earning money.
27. One of the disadvantages of having part time
jobs for the students is ….
a. they
tend to fall asleep in class d. they help themselves
b. they
help their parents finacially e. they earn to be independent
c. they
can earn money
28. What are the two jobs of students?
a. Studying
and earning money. d. Studying and helping parents.
b. Eating
and studying. e. Studying and doing part time jobs.
c. Growing
up and going to school.
Text 2
The government has just published a report which
suggests that television is partly responsible for the serious increase in
crime over the last ten years. The exposure of violence or pornography
harmfully effects on children.
Many people who are alive today know what it is
like to live in a world without television. Television as we know is only about
forty years old. Yet it is so much a part of our lives that it seems as if it
had always existed.
Some people think that the years before the
invention of television were a better time. They claim that families talked
more and did more things together. More books were read. People used their imaginations
more fully. People got more outdoor exercises.
But others disagree. They claim that television is
a powerful educational tool. It informs us of what is going on in the world,
from a famine in Africa to a local politics and fashion. It helps us understand
how people live, work, and struggle.
In 1961, Newton Minow, a government official,
called prime-time schedules “a vast wasteland.” Even though Minow said that
over thirty years ago, many feel that it is still true today. Television is
credited with being a great teacher, but it is also blamed for the poor reading
and wrinting skills of our population. Television gets praised for helping us
understand the people of the world. But it has been accused of helping to
destroy family life. Television keeps us informed about the political issues of
the day.
Experts will probably continue to argue about
television’s value. But everyone agrees that it is one of the most significant
inventions of the twentieth century.
29. The writer wants to tell ….
a. the
development of television.
b. the advantages
of television program.
c. how television
destroys people’s life.
d. how television
improves people’s knowledge.
e. the influence
of TV on people’s daily life.
30. Many people claim that television is a powerful
educational tool. From this statement we know that they … with the exixtence of
television.
a. love d. satisfy
b. agree e. choose
c. prefer
31. Which of the following is good for children in
watching TV?
a. Children
should watch the violence on TV.
b. Children
may watch TV whenever they like.
c. There
shouldn’t be government censorship of TV program.
d. Children
should spend all of their time to watch TV program.
e. Children
should be accompanied by their parents in watching TV.
32. “… what is going on in the world, from famine
in Africa …” (Paragraph 4)
The underlined word means ….
a. food d. education
b. water e. hunger
c. nutrient
Text 3
Nowadays, the police have been applying the new
regulation concerning the use of seat belts. In European countries, this
regulation has been applied for a long time. However, this new regulation has
become controversial and is an interesting topic to discuss. Here are some of
the arguments.
The use of seat belt has been proven to reduce the
risk of injury or death in an accident. Seat belts have become a standard
component in cars.
The research shows that most car accidents will
cause an injury to the head. Frequently, drivers or the passengers driving
without seat belts die because of this. By wearing the seat belts, the injury
will not happen since the seat belts restrain our body on the car seat when an
accident happens.
Unfortunately, many cars, especially the old ones,
don’t have seat belts. This is because the traffic conditions in the past were
unlike the recent traffic conditions. The designer of old cars didn’t consider
a seat belt as an important part. Besides, the drivers wearing the seat belts
will think that they are completely safe, so they may drive carelessly. They
are safe, indeed, but how about the safety of others?
The seat belt is only one of the ways to reduce
the risk of car accidents. It doesn’t mean that we are completely safe. In
short, our safety depends on ourselves.
33. What is the main idea of the send paragraph?
a. The
importance of seat belts for the drivers or passengers.
b. The
disadvantage of using seat belts for drivers or passengers.
c. Seat
belts have become a standard component in cars.
d. The
use of seat belts for the drivers or passengers.
e. Drivers
should wear seat belt.
34. Which is NOT TRUE according to the text?
a. The
regulation of the use of seat belts makes controversial.
b. The
use of seat belts can reduce the risk of car accidents.
c. Our
safety depends on ourselves.
d. The
old cars don’t have seat belts.
e. The
regulation of the use of seat belts has been applied for a long time.
35. “The use of seat belts has been proven to reduce
the risk …” (Paragraph 2)
The underlined word means ….
a. loosen d. minimize
b. cancel e. omit
c. move
36. “Frequently,
drivers or the passengers driving without seat belts die because of this.”
(Par. 3)
What does the underlined word refer to?
a. die d. driving without seat belts
b. driver e. an injury to the head
c. the
car accident
