DISCUSSION TEXT EXERCISE

The following text is for questions 1 to 5.

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

Some people claim that children to 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.

1. 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 the 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
2. How many reasons are presented by those who are against homework ....
A. 1 D. 4
B. 2 E. 5
C. 3
3. Those who are pro homework think that the students can ..... in the evening.
A. Prepare for the next lesson D. Do their hobbies
B. Review their lessons E. Test themselves
C. Enjoy their pastime
4. "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 D. Unimportant
B. Careless E. Uninteresting
C. Difficult
5. 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 any homework
E. Student must frequently have homework

Should performance enhancing drugs be accepted in sports?

The issue of using drugs to enhance athlete’s performance is controversial. Those

who agree to the use of drugs in enhancing performance say that most top players in all
sports take drugs to train harder and feel no pain during play. The trainers, sports doctors,
nutritionists, physiotherapists, and managers of the big names make sure banned
substances are taken at the safest and most efficient levels. The main effect of banning such
substances has turned performers and their coaches into liars and cheaters.
On the other hand, some still believe that performance enhancing drugs in sport
should be banned. Performance enhancing drugs are not only prohibited because they
violate the spirit of sport but because they can damage the health of athletes.

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 I think the idea of allowing them in sports could lead to a situation whereby
sportsmen and women are used as human guinea pigs for a constant fl ow of new,
unregulated substances.
6. What argument is given by those who disagree with the use of performance enhancing drugs?
A. Athletes health is badly affected
B. Guinea pigs are awfully needed
C. Athletes consume more drugs
D. Athletes obey the rules
E. Athletes perform better
7. According to the proponents of performance enhancing drugs, the effect of banning them is
that performers become ....
A. Losers D. Hooligans
B. Winners E. Supporters
C. Cheaters
8. What is the writer’s intention to write the text?
A. To persuade readers to agree with the issue
B. To influence readers to oppose the issue
C. To describe performance enhancing drugs
D. To entertain readers with the issue
E. To expose readers with the issue
9. How does the writer feel about the performance enhancing drugs?
A. Neutral D. Indefinite
B. Positive E. Pessimistic
C. Negative

The following text is for questions 10 to 14.

Male chauvinism (men's believe in male superiority) extends even into the area of
automobile driving, it seems. They believe that they are far better drivers than women. Men
consider women drivers incompetent, inattentive and even dangerous behind the wheel.
However, statistics prove that women are, in fact, safer drivers than men. For example,
insurance rates for women are 20 percent than they are for men. Another proof is that more
accidents are caused by male drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 than by any other groups.
Also the greater percentage of accident involving death is caused by men. Although women are
criticized for being too cautious, they are really just being safe drivers.
The reason for women driver's safer habits can perhaps be found in the differing
attitudes of sexes toward automobiles as a convenience, like a washing machine.
On the other hand, men regard the automobile as an extension of their egos. Using it as a
weapon when they feel particularly aggressive or using it as a status symbol.
In all, women are safer drivers because of their attitude. Men can learn to become safe
drivers if they adopt the attitude that an automobile is merely a convenience.

10. The text is about ....

A. Road accidents
B. Women attitude towards automobile
C. Male superiority in automobile driving
D. A comparison between men and women drivers
E. Statistics about the number of road accidents
11. In term of car accidents, the statistic proves that car accidents caused by ....
A. Men are higher than those of women
B. Men are lower than that of women
C. Men are as high as that of women
D. Women are equal to that of men
E. Women are the same as that of men
12. Which of the following you don’t agree with about men drivers?
A. They are safe and careful drivers
B. They cause more accidents than women
C. They consider themselves to be competent drivers
D. They feel that using a car shows status of symbol
E. They regard automobiles as an extension of their egos
13. We can understand from the text that ....
A. Men always criticize women for their bad driving attitude

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 B. Women show their egos by aggressive driving
C. The statistic shows women drive the car carelessly
D. Young women drivers get many accident
E. Men underestimate women
14. “Men consider women drivers incompetent, inattentive, and even dangerous behind the
wheel (paragraph 1)
The underlined word means ....
A. Intent D. Careless
B. Furious E. Indiscipline
C. Watchful

The following text is for questions 15 to 17.

Will solar energy ever be a main source of energy for industrial societies? The solar
energy is cheaper than any fossil fuell 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.
15. Which of the following can produce hot water to drive generators?
A. Solar car D. Solar heating
B. Solar cells E. Solar batteries
C. Solar ponds
16. Which of the following statements does not agree with the text?
A. Solar energy can only be harnessed in bright sunlight
B. The solar energy is cheaper than any other fossil fuel
C. Solar energy is non-polluted
D. Solar ponds produce hot water to drive generators
E. The main important device to harness the solar energy is cheap
17. From the text, we know that ....
A. Converting solar energy into electricity is expensive
B. Solar energy generators can be found in most houses
C. It is easy to convert solar energy into electricity
D. The potential source of solar energy can only be found in desert areas
E. Most of people in bright sunny areas use solar energy

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The following text is for questions 18 to 20.
Vegetarians, about 3.2% of the US population, do not eat meat. The US Department of
Agriculture does not only include meat as part of a balanced diet, but it also states that a
vegetarian diet can meet “the recommended dietary allowances for nutrients.”
Many proponents of vegetarianism say that eating meat harms health, wastes resources,
causes deforestation, and created pollution. They ofter argue that killing animals for food is
cruel and since non-animal food sources are plentiful.
Humans evolved to be primarily vegetarian. Humans do not have the large mouth or
long, pointed teeth of carnivores. Human teeth are short and flat for chewing fibrous food. The
liver of a carnivore can detoxify the excess vitamin A absorbed from a meat-based diet. The
human liver cannot excess vitamin A.
It is unnecessary to take an animal’s life when vegetarian options are available. In the US
about 35 million cows, 115 million pigs, and 9 billion birds are killed for food each year. These
animals should not have to die to satisfy an unnecessary dietary preference.
On the other hand, many opponents of a vegetarian diet say that moderate meat
consumption is healthful, humane and that producing vegetables causes many of the same
enviromental problems as producing meat.
Eating meat is not cruel or unethical. Every organism on earth dies, at some points, so
others can live. There is nothing wrong with this cycle; it is how nature work.Humans have been
eating meat in the ancestral diet provided a dense form of nutrients and protein that, when
combined with high-calorie low-nutrient carbohydrate such as roots, allowed us to develop our
large brains and intelligence.
Meat is the most convenient protein sources since it provides all 10 essential proteins
(amino acids), as well as essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and the B vitamins, in one
serving. Most individual plant foods do not provide adequate levels of all 100 essential proteins
in a single serving.
In my opinion, meat eaters don’t need to feel guilty. Everything we consume, including
vegetables or meat, has environmental, ethical, and health consequences.

18. The proponents of vegetarianism believe that....

A. Moderate meat consumption is healthful
B. Killing animals for food is cruel and unethical
C. Animals can only be killed in an appropriate way
D. The liver of a carnivore can not excess vitamin A
E. Humans do not need meat to develop their brains
19. The sixth paragraph is an argument ....
A. Against animal killing for food
B. For our ancestor’s diet
C. For meat consumption
D. For the vegetarianism
E. Against vegetarianism
20. All in all, the writer seems to disagree with the arguments stated by ....
A. The US Department of Agriculture
B. Proponents of vegetarianism
C. Opponents of vegetarianism
D. Animal lovers
E. Meat eaters

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