READING ASSIGNMENT 1

Instruction: Read the historical recount text below and do the exercises!

YOUTH PLEDGE

On October 28th 1928 in Jakarta, youths from across Indonesia held the Indonesian
Youth Congress. The congress marked the official assembly to push for the
independence. The pledge, which proclaimed unity of homeland, nation and language,
laid the foundation for a unified Indonesia, and guided the country through its tumultuous
founding years.
Before the pledge and the youth congress, there was an education-based organization
named Budi Oetomo in 1908. The date of its launch is commemorated as National
Awakening day for Indonesians today. Since Budi Oetomo, more youths are eager to
start a youth movement, even though they are still tightly clutched to fellows of their own
tribe.
A Javanese man named Satiman started the beginning of a youth movement in Java
named Tri Koro Darmo, a student association that recruits native students from across
Java. The named then changed into Jong Java on order to expand their recruitment to
Madura, Bali and Lombok (who speak different languages, but still within extension of Java
island) Jong Java held many congresses to spread the importance of youth role to the
society. Their main goal is to eradicate illiteracy, so the youth can be open minded to the
world outside of their cocoon
Since Jong Java’s formation, youths from other tribes started their own associations:
Jong Batak, Jong Minahasa, Jong Celebes, Jong Ambon, Sekar Rukun, Jong
Islaminten Bon, Pemuda Kaum Betawi (Betawi Youths) and more. The emergence of
these associations brought up the initiative to gather their thoughts in a mass assembly.
The First Youth congress was then held from April 30 th to May 2nd. Unfortunately, each
association was still bound to their provincial ego which prevents them from uniting. So at
the second Youth Congress, from October 27th to 28th, they gathered again on the basis of
being in the same boat and going for the same goal. The congress ended with the
declaration of youth pledge, along with the first hearing of Indonesia Raya – the future
National Anthem.
I. Match the words part A that you think is synonymous with the words in part B!

PART A

Congress Meet Tied up Carried out

Formal Juvenile Ethnic Group Vow

PART B

1 Youth Pemuda

2 Pledge Sumpah

3 Held Menyelenggarakan

4 Assembly Pertemuan, perkumpulan

5 Official Resmi

6 Tribe Suku

7 Gather Berkumpul

8 Bound Terikat
II. Choose the right paragraph for the following main ideas.

The event of second youth congress

The founding of Indonesian first nationalist organization

The activities of youth movement in Java

The background information about Youth Pledge

The role of Jong Java to trigger formation of young association in

some regions

III. Choose the most correct answer based on the text you have read

NUMBER 1

Why the event of Youth Pledge is important for Indonesian History?

A. It marked the provincial struggle for independence

B. It was a sign for official unity to achieve independence
C. It was a valuable declaration of youth associations
D. Indonesia needs it for regional movement
E. It was the first moment when Indonesia Raya performed

NUMBER 2

What actually could prevent the failure of the 1st Youth Congress?

A. Avoiding unity
B. Ignoring diversity
C. Leaving provincial ego
D. Declaring Independence
E. Starting youth movement
NUMBER 3

Which word in the text that has similar meaning to the word “ethnic group”?

A. Fellow
B. Tribe
C. Youth
D. Assembly
E. Association

NUMBER 4

The information about the first nationalist organization in Indonesia can be found in
paragraph ….

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

NUMBER 5

“The congress marked the official assembly to push for the independence” The underlined
word can be best replaced
with the word ….

A. Vow
B. Juvenile
C. Formal
D. Illegal
E. Tribal