Latihan Soal Bahasa Inggris

The questions number 1 to 3 are based on the following passage.

In the US, consumers spend around $700 million a year keeping their fabrics soft. In the UK people
spend £200 million a year on fabric softener. A giant manufacturer even claims a massive 50
percent share of the market. Despite the popularity, fabric softeners can be harmful to both the
people who use them and the marine life that ends up swimming in them.

Fabric softening surfactants can be derived from animals, plants or minerals, as in the case of
newer, silicone-based formulations. There is little difference between the chemicals used in
fabric softeners and those used in hair conditioners. Whatever they are based on, all fabric
softeners work in pretty much the same way, by depositing these surfactants onto the fabric to
make it feel softer, reduce static cling, and impart a fresh fragrance.

Special fixatives in the mix of both standard and luxury conditioners mean that the fragrance can
last for days, permeating wardrobes and drawers. The regular off-gassing of perfume chemicals
from fabric softeners can be a significant trigger for asthma and other breathing problems. In the
US, chemically sensitive individuals complain that, even after several washes, they cannot get the
smell of fabric softeners out of their washing machines and dryers.

If you are a fabric softener addict, there are now a number of companies that provide alternative
and ‘green’ fabric softeners. However, essentially, these are unnecessary products that can
trigger health problems and can interfere with the functional aspect of some textiles. For
instance, when used on towels and nappies, some fabric softeners can reduce absorbency, which
is why it’s generally recommended that reusable nappies aren’t washed with them. Once they
are washed down the drain, they can become highly toxic to aquatic life. Given this, maybe it’s
worth asking yourself whether the time has come to break the fabric softener habit completely.

1. What does the passage mainly talk about?

A. The downside of fabric softener usage

B. The popularity of fabric softener in the US
C. Harmful compounds found in fabric softener
D. Controlling the habit of using fabric softener
E. Environmental issues caused by fabric softener

2. The word permeating in the third paragraph is similar in meaning with ….

A. filling
B. soaking
C. charging
D. attaining
E. absorbing

3. Based on the passage, it can be hypothesized that …

A. ‘Green’ softeners are developed in response to the needs of fabric softener addicts.
B. Manufactures will shift to producing ‘green’ fabric softener products.
C. A small amount of fabric softener chemicals in the water will not harm aquatic life.
D. The absorbency in some textiles will be reduced if they are washed with fabric softeners.
E. People with breathing problems will feel safer using fabric softener if it contains fewer
perfume chemicals.
Latihan Soal Bahasa Inggris

The questions number 4 to 7 are based on the following passage.

The United Nations predicts Earth will have to feed another 2.3 billion people by 2050, mostly
concentrated in urban centers far from farmland. Conventional agriculture may not be able to
meet that demand, but luckily NASA has been working for decades to tackle food production
both on Earth and in space. Feeding astronauts during long-term space exploration means
stretching resources to grow plants in space—including minimizing water use and energy
consumption and eliminating soil.

NASA initially pioneered these techniques on the ground by building the country’s first vertical
farm. Inside a decommissioned hypobaric chamber left over from testing the Mercury space
capsule, technologists stacked rows of hydroponic trays like bookshelves against the walls. Then
systems for lighting, ventilation, and circulating water were added using off-the-shelf parts.
Various crops were planted on the stacked trays to test how well they would grow in water and
without the benefit of sunlight or open air. This innovative approach to farming created a
foundation for the industry of controlled environment agriculture, or CEA.

CEA combines plant science and environmental control to optimize plant growth and maximize
efficiency, frequently incorporating vertical growth structures. Technology enables the filtering
of contaminants from crop water and delivers precise nutrient balances. Artificial lighting
provides only the necessary wavelengths at the right time, intensity, and duration, while
environmental controls maintain ideal temperature and humidity. This approach could help feed
burgeoning future generations, said Nate Storey, chief science officer at Plenty Unlimited, one of
several companies building on NASA’s plant-growth research.

4. It is stated in the passage that …

A. The world will run out of food by 2050 according to the United Nations.
B. NASA has maximized a farming method requiring a little water.
C. NASA is taking over conventional agriculture to address future food demands.
D. To improve plant development, plant science must be integrated with vertical growth
structures.
E. NASA’s innovative approach pioneered the establishment of a controlled environment
agriculture industry.

5. Regarding the role of NASA in producing food, we know that …

A. The more farming techniques NASA uses, the less energy it requires.
B. The greater the space exploration is carried out, the more number of astronauts that must
be fed.
C. The more people requiring food, the more maximum NASA’s agricultural technology will
be.
D. The longer the space expedition is, the more NASA optimizes its farming resources.
E. The more maximum NASA farming technology becomes, the less traditional farming will
be required.

6. From the first paragraph, it can be predicted that …

A. NASA will be more concerned with food production in space than with food production
on Earth.
Latihan Soal Bahasa Inggris

B. The United Nations estimates that Earth will have to feed billions of people for a decade.
C. The most crucial aspect of long-term space exploration will be astronaut nutrition.
D. Conventional agriculture will succeed in feeding astronauts if it is combined with NASA’s
techniques.
E. In the future, there will not be enough land for conventional agriculture.

7. How is the second paragraph related to the first paragraph?

A. Paragraph 2 exemplifies kinds of agricultural progress discussed in paragraph 1.

B. The vertical farm described in paragraph 1 is explained in detail in paragraph 2.
C. The second paragraph expands on the first paragraph’s discussion of NASA’s agricultural
method.
D. The second paragraph explains further the issues raised in the first paragraph regarding
food demands in 2050.
E. The success of the NASA farming practices mentioned in the first paragraph is reiterated
in the second paragraph.