PPU – BAHASA INGGRIS (U4)

Passage 1
Conventional wisdom has long suggested that we cannot grow new brain cells; that
we are born with all the brain cells we will ever have. Once those precious neurons expire,
they are gone forever. How true is this idea? Is it ever possible to grow new brain cells? The
majority of the brain’s cell are formed during prenatal development. However, there are
certain areas of the brain that continue to create new neural cells. The process is known as
neurogenesis. It happens during infancy. Also, there is at least one important area of the brain
that continues to create new cells throughout the entire lifespan.
In 1990s researchers discovered that hippocampus (a region of the brain associated
with memories, learning, an emotions) continues to create new cells well into old age. Later
studies further demonstrate that the human hippocampus generates new cells. Cells in
hippocampus are also continually dying. The number of cells usually does begin to decline
with age. However, the formation of new nerve cells allows the hippocampus to maintain a
balance.
Why is the formation of new brain cells such an important discovery? Researchers
believe that it raises the possibility of treating degenerative brain diseases. These include
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It may also mean that one day scientists can develop new
treatments for brain trauma and injury. There have been indications that the brain grows new
cells for decades. However, research has confirmed these suspicions only recently. Today, we
recognize that adult neurogenesis is not only possible; it is a regular occurrence.

1. What is the topic of the passage? D. Neurogenesis in adults takes place

A. Degenerative brain diseases once.
B. Brain trauma and injury E. New brain cells will never grow.
C. Neurogenesis in adults
D. Prenatal development 4. What does the author imply by stating
E. Conventional wisdom “However, the formation of new nerve
cells allow the hippocampus to maintain
2. The word prenatal in paragraph 1 a balance.” in paragraph 2?
means … A. The hippocampus produces new
A. before pregnancy nerve cells for the balance of the
B. after birth brain cells.
C. before childhood B. The dying brain cells will be
D. before infancy replaced by new brain cells
E. before birth produced by hippocampus.
C. The hippocampus generates new
3. What is the new research finding about cells equal with the number of its
brain cells? cells which dies with age.
A. The brain continues to grow new D. The hippocampus is the only part of
cells during the first few decades. brain which can generate new cells
B. New cells are created throughout to replace the old ones.
the entire lifespan. E. New nerve cells in the
C. We are born with all the brain cells hippocampus are produced only
we will ever have. when the old ones have died.
Passage 2
Scientist have documented climate-induced changes in some 100 physicals and 450
biological processes. In the Russian Arctic, higher temperatures are melting the permafrost,
causing the foundations of five-story apartment buildings to slump. Worldwide, the rain,
when it falls, is often more intense. Floods and storms are more severe, and heat waves are
becoming more extreme. Rivers freeze later in the winter and melt earlier. Trees bloom earlier
in spring; insects emerge faster; and birds lay eggs sooner. Glaciers are melting. The global
mean sea level is rising.
The rate of climate change expected over the next 100 years is unprecedented in
human history. Throughout geologic time, the average global temperature has usually varied
by 50C over intervals of millions of years. Now scientists believe that the temperature of the
earth’s surface – which has already risen by 0.60C since the late 1800s – is likely to rise by
another 1.4 to 5.80C during the course of the 21st century.
Such an unusually rapid rate of change would affect fundamental earth system upon
which our very lives depend – including ocean circulation and the hydrological, carbon and
nutrient cycles. It would disrupt the natural and managed ecosystems that provide us with
water, food and fiber. It would add to existing environmental stresses such as desertification,
declining water quality, stratospheric ozone depletion, urban air pollution, and deforestation.
Researchers have been investing a great deal of effort in analyzing just how climate
change will influence the natural environment and human society. The cause and effect
linkages are often complex and the timing uncertain. But, while much more research is
needed to understand this simple phenomenon, we understand today is greater detail than
ever before what is happening – and what may occur next – in every region of the world. We
also know more than before about how we can adapt to the expected impacts and assist
those people who are most vulnerable.

5. Which of the following best restates the
sentence “Researchers have been
investing a great deal of effort in
analyzing just how climate change will
influence the natural environment and
human society” in paragraph 4?
A. Researchers have done studies to
uncover the effects of climate
change to human and
environment.
B. Researchers have invested their
money to fund studies focusing on
the climate change on earth.
C. Researchers have detected the
impacts of climate change to
society and environment.
D. Researchers’ deep analysis on
climate change will determine the
factors affecting social life.
E. The effects of climate change
contribute to the researchers’
development of research.
6. The author explains climate-induced
changes in some 100 physicals and 450
biological processes followed by an
account of …
A. the effect of high temperatures on
environment, season, and life
cycles
B. high temperature, negative effects,
and research on climate change
C. the projection of temperature and
possible destruction on earth
D. the ecosystem, ocean circulation,
and the hydrological cycles
E. the examples of countries with high
temperatures
7. What does the author imply by stating
“Trees bloom earlier in spring; insects
emerge faster; and birds lay eggs
sooner” in paragraph 1?
A. Those natural signs can predict the
beginning of a new season.
B. Climate change significantly
influences our environment.
C. Life cycles are changing into
unusual manners.
D. All living things change quickly.
E. The global temperature is getting
higher than before.
8. Which of the following obviously shows
the false idea in the passage?
A. In the Russian Arctic, higher
temperatures are melting the
permafrost.
B. Trees bloom earlier in spring;
insects emerge faster and birds lay
eggs sooner.
C. The temperature of the earth’s
surface is likely to rise by another
1.4 to 5.8°C.
D. The cause and effect linkages are
often complex and the timing
uncertain.
E. Much more research is needed to
understand this simple
phenomenon.