Reading Comprehension Passage 1

Robert Moog was an American inventor who developed the Moog Synthesizer. It was one of the first
synthesizers to gain widespread use as a musical instrument. Moog’s synthesizers were an important
pa Line of musical innovation in rock and jazz music in the 1960s and 1970s. Robert Arthur Moog was
born in Queens, a borough of New York City 75 years ago. He became fascinated with electronics as a
teenager, particularly an early electronic music instrument called the theremin. Moog studied physic
and electrical engineering at Queens College and Columbia University, both in New York City and
later received a Ph.D. in engineering physic Cornel University in Ithaca, New York. In 1954, while still
an undergraduate student, Moog formed his own company to sell theremins and theremin kits.
Soon after, Moog began working on a keyboard instrument that could replicate the sound of any
musical instrument electronically. Working with American composer Herbert Deutsch, Moog
introduced the prototype Moog Synthesizer at a convention in 1964. The device represented a
significant advance over previous electronic synthesizer because of its use of new semiconductor
technology, which made it smaller and considerably cheaper than earlier machines. The Moog, as it
was known, was soon in demand by musician all over the world.
In 1964, Moog began a collaboration with American composer and organist Walter Carlos (now
Wendy Carlos), who released the bestselling electronic music album Switched-On Bach in 1968. Rock
groups such as the Beatles and Yes and jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea
began incorporating Moog Synthesizer into their recordings, a trend that increased when the company
introduced the compact and portable Minimoog in 1970. A Moog Synthesizer was
also prominently featured on the soundtrack to the movie A Clockwork Orange in 1971. Encyclopedia
of World Biography, 2008
1. The word “prominently” in paragraph 3 can easily be replaced by …
(A) significantly
(B) perfectly
(C) accurately
(D) excellently
Jawab: (A) significantly
Keyword: featured on
Pembahasan:
• prominently = significantly = menonjol
• perfectly = sempurna
• accurately = akurat
• excellently = baik
2. The passage describes theremin as a/an …
(A) prototype of Moog Synthesizer
(B) initial electronic music instrument
(C) musical instrument to replicate the sound
(D) instrument of electronic tool
Jawab: (B) initial electronic music instrument
Keyword: instrument called theremin
Pembahasan: Initial electronic music instrument. Dapat dilihat pada bacaan ‘particularly on
early electronic music instrument called theremin.
3. The pronoun “it” paragraph 2 refers to…
(A) electronic synthesizer
(B) a keyboard instrument
(C) prototype of Moog Synthesizer
(D) new semiconductor technology
Jawab: (C) prototype of Moog Synthesizer
Keyword: intoduced yhe prototype
Pembahasan: Prototype of Moog Synthesizer. Jika dilihat dari bacaan pada paragraf 3, Moog
memperkenalkan sebuah prototype Moog Synthesizer.
4. According to the passage, all of the following are true about The Moog, EXCEPT…
(A) it was invented by Robert Moog
(B) it was first introduced in 1964
(C) it initiated new technology which was smaller and cheaper than previous
(D) it was the first synthesizer in the world
Jawab: (D) it was the first synthesizer in the world
Keyword: made it smaller and considerably than
Pembahasan: it was the first synthesizer In the world. Karena dalam bacaan ke-18-19 dituliskan
bahwa sebelumnya sudah diciptakan mesin synthesizer “which made it smaller and considerably
cheaper than earlier machine”.
5. The paragraph following the passage most likely discusses…
(A) collaboration between The Moog and other musicians
(B) the description of compact and portable Mini Moog
(C) the improvement of Moog Synthesizer
(D) trend in the music industry about synthesizer
Jawab: (C) the improvement of Moog Synthesizer
Keyword : Moo Sythesizer was also prominently
Pembahasan: Yang paling mungkin dibahas dalam paragraf selanjutnya adalah the
improvement of Moog synthesizer.
6. The main idea of paragraph three is …
(A) the Moog’s collaboration in music field
(B) the Moog in the movie soundtrack
(C) the introduction of Minimoog
(D) the collaboration of The Moog with music groups
Jawab: (A) the Moog’s collaboration in music field
Keyword: Moog began a collaboration
Pembahasan: the Moog’s collaboration in music field. Dalam bacaan dituliskan bahwa Moog
mulai berkolaborasi dengan berbagai musisi dalam berbagai genre musik.
Reading Comprehension Passage 2
Throughout history, people have been the victim of pickpockets. Today, pick pocketing is the one of the
most rapidly increasing crimes. Pickpockets are increasing in number and developing better methods
to Line practice their skill. Approximately one million Americans lose money to pickpockets every year,
and none is really safe from a skilled pickpockets. His victims, or ‘marks’ as they are called, can be
rich or poor, young or old.
During the eighteenth century, pickpockets were hanged in England, large crowds of people would
gather watch the hanging, which was supposed to be a warning to other pickpockets. However, in time
the practice was discontinued. The reason: while people were attentively watching the hanging of a
pickpockets, other pickpockets skillfully stole the money of spectators.
Police official say that the most efficient pickpockets come from South America. Many of these expert
pickpockets are trained in special school called ‘Jingle Bell Schools’. A pickpocket’s graduate from J.
B. S when he is able to steal a wallet from a dresses dummy (mannequin) that has bells inside its
pockets.
Even the most well dressed, respectable person may be a pickpocket. Some of the favorite places of
pickpockets are banks, airports, racetrack, supermarkets, elevators, and train and bus stations.
Oftentimes a pickpocket will work with another pickpockets as his partner. Another kind of pickpockets
works outside or inside bars and specialize in stealing from women is called a ‘purse snatcher’.
To avoid being the victim of a pickpocket, it’s important to be very cautious and alert when in the midst
of large gathering of the people.
7. The best title for the passage would be…
(A) Pickpockets are well dressed
(B) Jingle Bell Schools
(C) Pickpockets
(D) The hanging of pickpockets
Jawab: (C) Pickpockets
Keyword: have been the victim of pickcpockets
Pembahasan: Keseluruhan bacaan di atas berisi tentang pickpocket (pencopet).
8. The hanging of pickpockets were not continued because …
(A) they were large crowd of people
(B) it was against humanity
(C) the police were not at the hanging
(D) it was not effective to stop pickpocketing
Jawab: (D) it was not effective to stop pickpocketing
Keyword: other pickpockets skillfully stole the money
Pembahasan: Pada paragraf 2 dijelaskan bahwa ketika para pencopet digantung, pencopet yang
lain beraksi di antara kerumunan penonton.
9. Pick pocketing is … crime.
(A) an old
(B) a modern
(C) a temporary
(D) a contemporary
Jawab: (A) an old
Keyword: during the 18th century
Pembahasan: Pencopetan merupakan kejahatan lama sejak abad ke-18.
10. The passage mentions that pickpockets steal in/from the following, except
(A) crowded places
(B) the shops
(C) drunkards
(D) women
Jawab: (C) drunkards
Keyword: his victims can be rich or poor, young or old
Pembahasan: Berdasarkan bacaan, drunkard tidak disebutkan.
11. South Americans pickpockets are the most efficient ones because …
(A) they are well-trained
(B) they are handsome
(C) they are well-dressed
(D) they are respectable
Jawab: (A) they are well-trained
Keyword: the most efficient pickpockets come from South America
Pembahasan: Di Amerika Sealtan terdapat sekolah untuk para pencopet.
Reading Comprehension Passage 3
The cause of tooth decay is acid, which is produced by bacteria in the mouth. The acid removes
minerals from tooth enamel, allowing tooth decay to begin; the saliva in your mouth encourages
remineralization and Line neutralizes the acid. The rate at which bacteria in the mouth produce acid
depends on the amount of plaque on the teeth, the composition of the microbial flora, and whether the
bacteria of the plaque have been “primed” by frequent exposure to sugar. To keep your teeth healthy,
a regular dental hygiene program should be followed.
Removing plaque with a toothbrush and dental floss temporarily reduces the numbers of bacteria in
the mouth and thus reduces tooth decay. It also makes the surfaces of the teeth more accessible,
enabling saliva to neutralize acid and remineralise lesions. If fluoride is present in drinking water
when teeth are forming, some fluoride is incorporated into the enamel of the teeth, making them more
resistant to attack by acid. Fluoride toothpaste seems to act in another way, by promoting the
remineralization of early carious lesions.
In addition to a regular dental hygiene program, a good way to keep your teeth healthy is to reduce
your intake of sweet food. The least cavity- causing way to eat sweets is to have them with meals and
not between. The number of times you eat sweets rather than the total amount determines how much
harmful acid the bacteria in your saliva produce. But the amount of sweets influences the quality of
your saliva. Avoid, if you can, sticky sweets that stay in your mouth a long time. Also try to brush and
floss your teeth after eating sugary foods. Even rinsing your mouth with water is effective. Whenever
possible, eat foods with fiber, such as raw carrot sticks, apples, celery sticks, etc., that scrape
off plaque, acting as a toothbrush. Cavities can be greatly reduced if these rules are followed when
eating sweets.
12. What does this passage mainly discuss?
(A) Good nutrition
(B) Food with fiber
(C) Ways to keep your teeth healthy
(D) Fluoridization and cavities
Jawab: (C) Ways to keep your teeth healthy
Keyword: to keep your teeth healthy
Pembahasan: Bacaan tersebut membahas tentang cara menjaga gigi Anda sehat (Ways to keep
your teeth healthy).
13. According to the passage, all of the following statements about plaque are true EXCEPT…
(A) it consists of acid producing bacteria
(B) it is not affected by eating sweets
(C) it can be removed from teeth by brushing and flossing
(D) it reduces the positive effect of saliva
Jawab: (B) It is not affected by eating sweets
Keyword: have been primed by frequent exposure to sugar
Pembahasan: Pernyataan tentang plak berdasarkan bacaan tersebut kecuali: “It is not affected
by eating sweets.”
14. We can infer from the passage that one benefit of fluoride to healthy teeth is…
(A) It strengthens tooth enamel
(B) it stimulates saliva production
(C) it makes teeth whiter
(D) It Is a replacement for brushing and flossing in dental care
Jawab: (A) it strengthens tooth enamel
Keyword: making them more resistant to attarck by add
Pembahasan: Kita bisa menyimpulkan satu manfaat dari fluoride untuk gigi, yaitu memperkuat
enamel gigi (It strengthens tooth enamel.)
15. The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to …
(A) dental floss
(B) bacteria
(C) removal of plaque
(D) plaque
Jawab: (C) removal of plaque
Keyword: removing plaque
Pembahasan: “it” paragraf ke 2 menunjukkan removal of plaque (menghilangkan plak).
16. What can be concluded from the passage about sweets?
(A) All sweets should be avoided.
(B) Sweets should be eaten with care.
(C) It is better to eat sweets a little at a time throughout the day.
(D) Sticky sweets are less harmful than other sweets.
Jawab: (B) Sweets should be eaten with care.
Keyword: Avoid, if you can, sticky sweets
Pembahasan: Simpulan tentang “sweets” (permen) adalah sweets should be eaten with care.
(Sweets harus dimakan dengan hati-hati).
17. The word “scrape off” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to…
(A) repel
(B) rub together with
(C) remove
(D) dissolve
Jawab: (C) remove
Keyword: acting as a toothbrush
Pembahasan: Kata “scrape off” yang terdekat dalam arti untuk remove.
• repel = mengusir
• rub together with = gosok bersama-sama dengan
• remove = menghapus
• dissolve = larut
18. According to the passage, the value of eating foods with fiber is that …
(A) they contain Vitamin A
(B) they are less expensive than a toothbrush
(C) they are able to remove the plaque from your teeth
(D) they contain no sugar
Jawab: (C) they are able to remove the plaque from your teeth
Keyword: that scrape off plaque
Pembahasan: Menurut bagian ini, nilai makan makanan dengan serat adalah bahwa “they are
able to remove the plaque from your teeth” (mereka mampu menghilangkan plak dari gigi
Anda).
19. The author of the passage states that the amount of acid produced by the bacteria in your saliva
increases …
(A) with the amount of sweets you eat
(B) with the number of times you eat sweets
(C) if you eat sweets with your meals
(D) if you eat sticky sweets
Jawab: (B) with the number of times you eat sweets
Keyword: the amount of sweets influences the quality of your saliva
Pembahasan: Jumlah asam yang diproduksi oleh bakteri dalam air liur akan meningkat seiring
dengan jumlah permen yang dimakan. (with the number of times you eat sweets.)
Reading Comprehension Passage 4
Until recently,mostAmericanentrepreneursweremen. Discrimination against women in business, the
demands of caring for families, and lack of business training had kept the number of women
entrepreneurs Line small. Now, however, businesses owned by women account for more than $40
billion in annual revenues, and this figure is likely to continue rising throughout the 1990s. As Carolyn
Doppelt Gray, an official of the Small Business Administration, has noted, “The 1970s was the decade
of women entering management, and the 1980s turned out to be the decade of the woman
entrepreneur”.
What are some of the factors behind this trend? For one thing, as more women earn advanced degrees
in business and enter the corporate world, they are finding obstacles. Women are still excluded from
most executive suites. Charlotte Taylor, a management consultant, had noted, “In the 1970s women
believed if they got an MBA and worked hard they could become chairman of the board. Now they’ve
found out that isn’t going to happen, so they go out on their own”.
In the past, most women entrepreneurs worked in “women’s” fields: cosmetics and clothing, for
example. But this is changing. Consider ASK Computer Systems, a $22-million-a-year computer
software business. It was founded in 1973 by Sandra Kurtzig, who was then a housewife with degrees
in math and engineering. When Kurtzig founded the business, her first product was software that let
weekly newspapers keep tabs on their newspaper carriers and her office was a bedroom at home, with
a shoebox under the bed to hold the company’s cash. After she succeeded with the newspaper software
system, she hired several bright computer-science graduates to develop additional programs. When
these were marketed and sold, ASK began to grow. It now has 200 employees, and Sandra Kurtzig
owns $66.9 million of stock.
Of course, many women who start their own businesses fail, just as men often do. They still
face hurdles in the business world, especially problems in raising money; the banking and finance
world is still dominated by men, and old attitudes die hard. Most businesses owned by women are still
quite small. But the situation is changing; there are likely to be many more Sandra Kurtzigs in the
years ahead.
20. What is the main idea of this passage?
(A) Women today are better educated than in the past, making them more attractive to the business
world.
(B) The computer is especially lucrative for women today.
(C) Women are better at small businesses than men are.
(D) Women today are opening more businesses of their own.
Jawab: (D) Women today are opening more businesses of their own.
Keyword: businesses owned by women account for more than $40 billion
Pembahasan: Gagasan utama bacaan tersebut adalah Wanita masa kini makin banyak yang
membuka usaha sendiri.
21. The word “excluded” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to…
(A) not permitted in
(B) often invited to
(C) decorators of
(D) charged admission to
Jawab: (A) not permitted in
Keyword: form most executive suites
Pembahasan: Kata “excluded” = dikecualikan”pada paragraf ke 2 adalah memiliki arti terdekat
dengan not permitted in = tidak diizinkan dalam.
• often invited to = sering diundang untuk.
• decorators of = dekorator dari.
• charged admission to = dibebankan masuk ke.
22. All of the following were mentioned in the passage as detriments to women in the business world
EXCEPT…
(A) women were required to stay at home with their families
(B) women lacked ability to work in business
(C) women faced discrimination in business
(D) women were not trained in business
Jawab: (B) women lacked ability to work in business
Keyword: more women earn advanced degrees in business
Pembahasan: Berlkut Ini adalah yang disebutkan dalam bacaan sebagai kekurangan wanita di
dunia bisnis KECUALI wanita tidak memiliki  kemampuan untuk bekerja dalam bisnis (women
lacked ability to work in business).
23. In paragraph 2, “that” refers to …
(A) a woman becomes chairman of the board
(B) women working hard
(C) women achieving advanced degrees
(D) women believing that business is a place for them
Jawab: (A) a woman becomes chairman of the board
Keyword: they become chairman of the board
Pembahasan: Kata “that” pada paragraf ke 2 mengacu padaa woman becomes chairman of the
board (wanita yang menjadi ketua dewan).
24. According to the passage, Charlotte Taylor believes that women in the 1970s…
(A) were unrealistic about their opportunities in business management
(B) were still more interested in education than business opportunities
(C) had fewer obstacles in business than they do today
(D) were unable to work hard enough to succeed in business
Jawab: (A) were unrealistic about their opportunities in business management
Keyword: women believed if they got an MBA
Pembahasan: Menurut bacaan, Charlotte Taylor percaya bahwa perempuan pada 1970-an
kurang yakin tentang peluang mereka dalam manajemen bisnis (were unrealistic about their
opportunities in business management).
25. The author mentions the “shoebox under the bed” in the third paragraph in order to…
(A) show the frugality of women in business
(B) show the resourcefulness of Sandra Kurtzig
(C) point out that initially the financial resources of Sandra Kurtzig’s business were limited
(D) suggest that the company needed to expand
Jawab: (C) point out that initially the financial resources of Sandra Kurtzig’s business were
limited
Keyword: to hold the company’s cash
Pembahasan: Penulis menyebutkan “shoebox under the bed” dalam paragraf ketiga untuk
menunjukkan bahwa pada awalnya sumberdaya keuangan dari bisnis Sandra Kurtzig’s terbatas
(point out that initially the financial resources of Sandra Kurtzig’s business were limited).
26. In the third paragraph, the word “this” refers to…
(A) women becoming entrepreneurs
(B) women buying cosmetics and clothing
(C) women working in “women’s fields”
(D) women staying at home
Jawab: (C) women working in “women’s fields”
Keyword: women entrepreneurs worked in women’s fields
Pembahasan: Kata “this” pada paragraf ke 3 mengacu pada perempuan yang bekerja di “bidang
perempuan” (women working in “women’s fields”).
27. The expression “keep tabs on” in the third paragraph is closest in meaning to …
(A) recognize the appearance of
(B) keep records of
(C) provide transportation for
(D) pay the salaries of
Jawab: (B) keep records of
Keyword: let weekly newspapers
Pembahasan: Ungkapan “keep tabs on = mengawasi” pada paragraf ke 3 memiliki arti terdekat
dengan keep records of (menyimpan rekaman).
• recognize the appearance of = mengakui tampilan
• provide transportation for = menyediakan transportasi untuk
• pay the salaries of = membayar gaji
28. The word “hurdles” in the last paragraph can be best replaced by…
(A) fences
(B) obstacles
(C) questions
(D) small groups
Jawab: (B) obstacles
Keyword: especially problem in raising money
Pembahasan: Kata “hurdles = rintangan” dalam paragraf terakhir dapat digantikan dengan
kata obstacles (hambatan).
• fences = pagar
• obstacles = hambatan
• questions = pertanyaan
• small groups = kelompok kecil
29. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes that businesses operated by women are
small because …
(A) women prefer a small intimate setting
(B) women can’t deal with money
(C) women are not able to borrow money easily
(D) many women fail at large businesses
Jawab: (C) women are not able to borrow money easily
Keyword: especially problem in raising money
Pembahasan: Bisnis yang dioperasikan oleh wanita masih kecil karena mereka tidak dapat
meminjam uang dengan mudah (women are not able to borrow money easily).
30. The author’s attitude about the future of women in business is …
(A) skeptical
(B) optimistic
(C) frustrated
(D) negative
Jawab: (B) optimistic
Keyword: but the situation is changing
Pembahasan: Sikap penulis tentang masa depan wanita dalamm bisnis adalah optimis
(optimistic)
Reading Comprehension Passage 5
This rapid transcontinental settlement and these new urban industrial circumstances of the last half of
the 19“’ century were accomp
anied by the development of a national literature of great abundance and variety. Line New themes,
new forms, new subjects, new regions, new authors, new audiences all emerged in the literature of this
half century. As a result, at the onset of World War I, the spirit and substance of American literature
had evolved remarkably, just as its center of production had shifted from Boston to New York In the
late 1880s and the sources of its energy to Chicago and the Midwest. No longer was it produced, at
 least in its popular forms, in the main by solemn, typically moralistic men from New England and the
Old South; no longer were polite, well-dressed, grammatically correct, middle-class young people the
only central characters in its narratives no longer were these narratives to be set in exotic places and
remote times; no longer, indeed, were fiction, poetry, drama, and formal history the chief acceptable
forms of literary expression; no longer, finally, was literature read primarily by young, middle class
women. In sum, American literature in these
  years fulfilled in considerable measure the condition Walt Whitman called for inl867 in describing
Leaves of Grass: It treats, he said of his own major work, each state and region as peers “and expands
from them, and includes the world … connecting an American citizen with the citizens of all nations.”
At the same time, these years saw the emergence of what has been designated “the literature of
argument,” powerful works in sociology, philosophy, psychology, many of them impelled by the spirit
of exposur
e and reform. Just as America learned to play a role in this half century as an autonomous
international political, economic, and military power, so did its literature establish itself as a producer
of major works.
31. The main idea of this passage is …
(A) that the new American literature was less provincial than the old
(B) that World War I caused a dramatic change in America
(C) that centers of culture shifted from East to West
(D) that most people were wary of the new literature
Jawab: (A) that the new American literature was less provincial
Keyword: were accompanied by the development of a national literature
Pembahasan: Gagasan utama dari bacaan ini adalah sastra Amerika baru kurang kedaerahan
dari yang lawas (that the new American literature was less provincial than the old).
32. It can be inferred from lines 1-3 that the previous passage probably discussed …
(A) the Importance of tradition to writers
(B) new developments in industrialization and population shifts
(C) the fashions and values of 19th century America
(D) the limitations of American literature to this time
Jawab: (B) new developments In Industrialization and population shifts
Keyword: the rapid transcontinental settlement and these new urban Industrial
Pembahasan: Yang dapat disimpulkan dari kalimat 1 adalah perkembangan pergeseran
industrialisasl dan populasi yang baru (new developments in industrialization and population
shifts).
33. The word “evolved” is closest in meaning to…
(A) became famous
(B) turned back
(C) diminished
(D) changed
Jawab: (D) changed
Keyword: had shifted from
Pembahasan: evolved – berevolusi became famous = menjadi terkenal turned back = berbalik
diminished = berkurang changed = berubah
34. The word “it” refers to…
(A) the population
(B) the energy
(C) American literature
(D) the manufacturing
Jawab: (C) American literature Keyword: the spirit and substance of American literature
Keyword: the spirit and substance of American literature
Pembahasan: Kata “it” mengacu pada sastra Amerika (American literature).
35. The word “exotic” is closest in meaning to…
(A) urban
(B) unusual
(C) well-known
(D) old-fashioned
Jawab : (B) unusual Keyword Pembahasan
Keyword: exotic places and remote times
Pembahasan: Kata “exotic” = eksotis arti yang terdekat unusual = tidak biasa
• urban = perkotaan
• unusual = tidak biasa
• well-known = terkenal
• old-fashioned = kuno
36. The author uses the word “indeed” for what purpose?
(A) to emphasize the contrast he is making
(B) for variety in a lengthy paragraph
(C) to wind down his argument
(D) to show a favorable attitude to these forms of literature
Jawab: (A) to emphasize the contrast he is making
Keyword: no longer
Pembahasan: Penulis menggunakan kata ” indeed = benar” untuk menekankan kontras (to
emphasize the contrast he is making).
37. The phrase “these years” in line 17 refers to …
(A) 1850-1900
(B) the 1900s
(C) the early 1800s
(D) the present
Jawab: (A) 1850-1900
Keyword: in late 1880s
Pembahasan: Ungkapan “these years = bertahun-tahun” dalam mengacu pada 1850-1900.
38. It can be inferred from the passage that Walt Whitman…
(A) disliked urban life
(B) was disapproving of the new literature
(C) wrote Leaves of Grass
(D) was an international diplomat
Jawab: (C) wrote Leaves of Grass Keyword: in describing Leaves of Grass
Keyword: in describing Leaves of Grass
Pembahasan: Hal yang dapat disimpulkan tentang Walt Whitman adalah menulis Leaves of
Grass.
39. All of the following can be inferred from the passage about the new literature EXCEPT…
(A) it was not highly regarded Internationally
(B) it introduced new american themes, characters, and settings
(C) itbrokewithmanyliterarytraditionsofthepast
(D) it spoke to the issue of reform and change
Jawab: (A) it was not highly regarded internationally
Keyword: 50 did its literature establish itself
Pembahasan: Simpulan di atas adalah benar tentang “new literature” literatur baru kecuali
sangat tidak dihargai secara internasional (It was not highly regarded internationally).
40. This passage would probably be read in which of the following academic courses?
(A) European history
(B) American literature
(C) Current events
(D) International affairs
Jawab: (B) American literature
Keyword: substance of American literature
Pembahasan: Bagian ini mungkin akan dibaca di mana di kelas sastra Amerika.
Reading Comprehension Passage 6
Scientists do not yet thoroughly understand just how the body of an individual becomes sensitive to a
substance that is harmless or even wholesome for the average person. Milk, wheat, and egg, for
example. Line rank among the most healthful and widely used foods. Yet these foods can cause persons
sensitive to them to suffer greatly. At first, the body of the individual is not harmed by coming into
contact with the substance. After a varying interval of time, usually longer than a few weeks, the body
becomes sensitive to it, and an allergy has begun to develop. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out if you
have a food allergy since it can show up so many different ways.
Your symptoms could be caused by many other problems. You may have rashes, hives, joint pains
mimicking arthritis, headaches, irritability, or depression. The most common food allergies are to milk,
eggs, seafood, wheat, nuts, seeds, chocolate, oranges, and tomatoes. Many of these allergies will not
develop if these foods are not fed to an infant until her or his intestines mature at around seven months.
Breast milk also tends to be protective. Migraines can be set off by foods containing tyramine,
phenethylamine, monosodium glutamate, or sodium nitrate. Common foods which contain these are
chocolate, aged cheeses, sour cream, red wine, pickled herring, chicken livers, avocados, ripe
bananas, cured meats, many Oriental and prepared foods (read the labels!). Some people have been
successful in treating their migraines with supplements of B-vitamins, particularly B6 and niacin.
Children who are hyperactive may benefit from eliminating food additives, especially colorings, and
foods high in salicylates from their diets. A few of these are almonds, green peppers, peaches, tea,
grapes. This is the diet made popular by Benjamin Feingold, who has written the book Why your Child
is 30 Hyperactive. Other researchers have had mixed results when testing whether the diet is effective.
41. The topic of this passage is…
(A) reactions to foods
(B) food and nutrition
(C) infants and allergies
(D) a good diet
Jawab: (A) reactions to foods
Keyword: an individual becomes sensitive to a substance
Pembahasan: Topik dari bacaan tersebut adalah reaksi terhadap makan (reactios of foods).
42. According to the passage, the difficulty in diagnosing allergies to foods is due to …
(A) the vast number of different foods we eat
(B) lack of a proper treatment plan
(C) the similarity of symptoms of the allergy to other problems
(D) the use of the prepared formula to feed babies
Jawab: (C) the similarity of symptoms of the allergy to other problems
Keyword: it can show up so many different ways
Pembahasan: Menurut bagian ini, kesutitan dalam mendiagnosis alergi terhadap makanan
adalah karena kemiripan gejala alergi dengan masalah lain (the similarity of symptoms of the
allergy to other problems).
43. The word “symptoms” in line 8 is closest in meaning to …
(A) indications
(B) diet
(C) diagnosis
(D) prescriptions
Jawab: (A) indications
Keyword: could be caused by many other problems
Pembahasan:
• symptoms = gejala
•  indications = indikasi
• diet = diet
• diagnosis = diagnosis
• prescriptions = resep
44. The phrase “set off” is closest to the meaning …
(A) relieved
(B) identified
(C) avoided
(D) triggered
Jawab: (D) triggered
Keyword: by foods containing
Pembahasan: Ungkapan “set off” adalah paling mirip dengan arti triggered = dipicu
• relieved = lega
• identified= diidentifikasi
• avoided= dihindari
45. What can be inferred about babies from this passage?
(A) They can eat almost anything.
(B) They should have a carefully restricted diet as infants.
(C) They gain little benefit from being breastfed.
(D)They may become hyperactive if fed solid food too early.
Jawab: (B) They should have a carefully restricted diet as infants.
Keyword: many of these allergies will not develop. If these foods are not fed to an infant until
Pembahasan: Simpulan tentang bayi adalah mereka harus memiliki pola makanan yang dibatasi
dengan hati-hati (They should have a carefully restricted diet as infants).
46. The word “hyperactive” is closest in meaning to …
(A) overly active
(B) unusually low activity
(C) excited
(D) inquisitive
Jawab: (A) overly active
Keyword: children who are hyperactive
Pembahasan: Kata “hiperaktif” mirip dengan overly active (terlalu aktif)
• overly active = terlalu aktif
• unusually low activity = aktivitas luar biasa rendah
• excited = bersemangat
• inquisitive = ingin tahu
47. The author states that the reason that infants need to avoid certain foods related to allergies has to
do with the infants…
(A) lack of teeth
(B) poor metabolism
(C) underdeveloped intestinal tract
(D) inability to swallow solid foods
Jawab: (C) underdeveloped intestinal tract
Keyword: until her or his intestines mature
Pembahasan: Dinyatakan dalam bacaan bahwa alasan bahwa bayi perlu menghindari makanan
tertentu yang berhubungan dengan alergi karena saluran pencernaan yang belum berkembang
baik.
Reading Comprehension Passage 7
A curfew is a specific type of law instituted by those In power. It is one that requires citizens to be off
the streets and out of public places at specified hours.
There are active curfew laws in some communities in the United States today; these laws are currently
functioning. The existing curfew laws generally refer to minors. These laws usually indicate the hour
when the children must be off the streets and out of public unless they are with their parents.
Curfew laws have a long tradition. William of Normandy introduced the custom to the British Isles
after his invasion there in 1066. At curfew time, a bell was rung. The pealing of the bell indicated that
citizens should extinguish any burning fires and clear the streets for the night. The word curfew
actually developed at this time from the Norman French expression couvre-feu or cover the fire.
48. The word “minors” in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by …
(A) children
(B) communities
(C) public
(D) citizens
Jawab: (A) children
Keyword: generally refer to minors
Pembahasan: Minors = belum dewasa
• children = anak-anak
• communities = komunitas
• public = publik
• citizens = warga
49. Look at the word “pealing” in paragraph 3. This word is closest in meaning to which of the
following?
(A) ringing
(B) uncovering
(C) breaking
(D) burning
Jawab: (A) ringing
Keyword: a bell was rung
Pembahasan: Pealing = bunyi
• ringing = dering
• uncovering = mengungkap
• breaking = pemecahan
• burning = pembakaran
50. Citizens should extinguish any burning fires, (paragraph 3). Word extinguish is closest in meaning
to…
(A) put in
(B) put on
(C) put off
(D) put out
Jawab: (D) put out
Keyword: should extinguish any burning fire
Pembahasan: Extinguish = padam
• put in =memasukkan
• put on = memakai
• put off =menunda
• put out = memadamkan