LITERASI BAHASA INGGRIS – TO 16 MIPY
OPINION THREAD: Does homework actually help?
(Adapted from https://www.quora.com)
1. Which of the following best reflects Rejhan Kuc’s
opinion on the subject matter?
A. Too much homework takes time away from other
meaningful activities.
B. Homework in excessive amounts leads to
detrimental effects on students’ well-being.
C. There is research claiming that homework and
academic achievement do not have strong
correlations.
D. Homework can foster independence in students as
they learn to complete work without supervision.
E. Homework is more advantageous to parents since
they can use it as a way to control their children’s
activities.
 C. Teachers have to readjust their lessons to minimize
2. According to … homework seems to benefit parents more homework.
than it does the students. D. Homework serves students in their learning as long
A. Olivia Veronese as they are given moderately.
B. Jeremy Alvarez E. Homework is only good for keeping students busy
C. Stephen Whitehead and under control of their parents.
D. Kris Johnson
E. Armando Bernal 6. According to Olivia Veronese, ….
A. homework will only serve as a tool for better
3. The word “modest” based on the context provided in Kris understanding to the extent that it does not prove
Johnson’s post means … to be a detriment to one’s well being
A. neither bold nor self-assertive B. homework’s impact on students’ ability to learn is
B. limited in size, amount, or scope considered minimal especially before high school
C. showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in C. homework is utilized by parents to ensure that their
one's abilities children engage with academic pursuits
D. placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or D. for most subjects other than mathematics, the
worth advantages of homework are mostly mythical
E. dressing or behaving so as to avoid impropriety or E. homework serves as a valuable tool for cultivating
indecency a consistent work ethic and fostering independence
in individuals
4. Why is the principle of diminishing returns mentioned in
posts by Jeremy Alvarez and Kris Johnson? 7. From Jeremy Alvarez’s post we can infer that ….
A. To point out how beneficial homework is for A. he would ask for extra homework back in his high
students school years
B. To emphasize how little excessive homework B. he would always get high marks for every
benefits students homework he ever finished
C. To criticize the quality of homework assigned to C. he would prioritize going out with this friends over
students doing homework
D. To explain how the principle of diminishing returns D. he probably was one the laziest students due to
works having hobbies
E. To argue against giving students homework at all E. he would do his homework and still make time for
his hobbies
5. Which of the following statements would be most
agreed upon by the commentators?
A. The benefits of homework are completely mythical.
B. Students should not be given homework at all.

Text 1

The Great Wave off Kanagawa, also known as The Great Wave, is one of the most famous examples of Japanese art in
the world. The energetic and imposing picture The Great Wave (Kanagawa Oki Nami Ura) is the best-known work by
Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika (1760-1849), one of the greatest Japanese woodblock printmakers, painters and book
illustrators. The Great Wave was created around 1831 as part of a series of woodblock prints called Thirty-six Views of
Mount Fuji (Fugaku Sanju-roku Kei).

The most eye-catching feature of the painting is the extended wave as it is about to break with the crash of its claw-like
crest. The beautiful dark blue pigment used by Hokusai, called Prussian Blue, was a new material at the time, imported
from England through China. The wave is about to strike the boats as if it were an enormous monster, one which seems
to symbolise the irresistible force of nature and the weakness of human beings.

At the beginning of the 17th century, circa 1639, Japan had sealed itself off from the rest of the world and any contact
with Western culture was forbidden. Fortunately today, this masterpiece, borne within Japan’s isolation, can be
appreciated and admired throughout art exhibitions all over the world.

(Adapted from https://theculturetrip.com)

 Text 2

The Great Wave off Kanagawa, often known as The Great Wave or simply The Wave, is a Japanese artist Katsushika
Hokusai's landscape-format linen print. It is Hokusai's most renowned work, and one of the most recognizable works of
Japanese art in the world. It was published between 1829 and 1833.

The image represents the area around Mount Fuji during specific weather circumstances, such as a typhoon with a massive
wave threatening fishing boats off Kanagawa's coast (the present-day city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture). While the
wave is occasionally mistaken for a tsunami, it is most likely a massive rogue wave, all of which is captured in the shadow
of Mount Fuji in the backdrop. The curved line of the waves demonstrates the basic principles of design.

Sharp lines are employed at the tip of the waves where water is going to overwhelm the helpless fisherman on their boats,
enhancing and amplifying the threat of the waves. This artwork has an asymmetrical composition, with the waves taking
up nearly the entire image, ensuring that they dominate the composition, emphasizing the threat and danger of the rough,
crashing waves, as well as providing a sense of movement, allowing the audience to feel how helpless the fishermen were
in the face of such massive waves.

Pattern, Emphasis, and Proportion are all present in the artwork and are particularly visible in the waves. The photos are
serene in general, but the topic or backdrop is grim, with the fisherman fighting for their life against all obstacles. The artist
used muted and soothing colors, with no reds or harsh colors, but the dominance of chilly colors like dark blue produces a
feeling of coldness and helplessness, while the presence of white might be taken as hope that the fisherman will survive
the storm.

(Adapted from https://www.atxfinearts.com)

8. Which of the following reflects the author’s attitude B. the boats

towards The Great Wave off Kanagawa based on Text 1?
A. The Great Wave was created around 1831 as part
of a series of woodblock prints called Thirty-six
Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku Sanju-roku Kei).
B. The Great Wave off Kanagawa, also known as The
Great Wave, is one of the most famous examples
of Japanese art in the world.
C. Fortunately today, this masterpiece, borne within
Japan’s isolation, can be appreciated and admired
throughout art exhibitions all over the world.
D. At the beginning of the 17th century, circa 1639,
Japan had sealed itself off from the rest of the
world and any contact with Western culture was
forbidden.
E. The beautiful dark blue pigment used by Hokusai,
called Prussian Blue, was a new material at the
time, imported from England through China.
9. According to Text 1, the most striking feature of
Hokusai’s work is ….
A. the use of Prussian Blue, a new material from
England
B. the extended wave as it is about to break with the
crash of its claw-like crest
C. that it is as part of a series of woodblock prints
called Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
D. the fact that it can be appreciated and admired
throughout art exhibitions all over the world
E. the symbolism of the irresistible force of nature and
the weakness of human beings
10. The word “one” in Text 1 Paragraph 2 refers to ….
A. the wave
C. the irresistible force
D. an enormous monster
E. humans’ weakness
11. What is the purpose of using an asymmetrical
composition in The Great Wave off Kanagawa according
to Text 2?
A. To emphasize a feeling of coldness and
helplessness
B. To take up space the size of nearly the entire image
C. To demonstrate the basic principles of design
D. To show that the fisherman still has a chance to
survive the storm
E. To foreground the threat and danger of the rough
and crashing waves
12. Which of the following is TRUE of Hokusai’s masterpiece
according to Text 2?
A. It was not as known as most of his other works of
art.
B. It is a landscape-format acrylic paint on linen print.
C. It uses a composition that allows for a sense of
movement.
D. It utilizes plenty of reds and other harsh colors alike.
E. It purposely does not include the color white to
provide a sense of darkness.
13. Hokusai purposely let chilly colors dominate the image
in order to ….
A. provide a sense of movement
B. emphasize a sense of loneliness
C. symbolize hope for the fisherman
D. bring about feelings of helplessness
 E. emphasize threat and danger
14. Which of the following statements best represents the
relationship between Text 1 and Text 2?
A. Both texts explain a world-renowned art piece
from a historical perspective.
B. Both texts talk about the artistry behind a visual
masterpiece at great length.
C. Text 1 introduces a lesser known work of art while
Text 2 elaborates further about the artistry behind
it.
D. Text 1 talks briefly about a famous art piece
whereas Text 2 further elaborates the artistry
involved in creating it.
E. Text 1 talks about the artistry behind a world-
renowned art piece whereas Text 2 criticizes the
artistic choices made in creating it.

Text 1

Sugary drinks (also categorized as sugar-sweetened beverages or “soft” drinks) refer to any beverage with added sugar
or other sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, fruit juice concentrates, and more). This includes soda, pop, cola,
tonic, fruit punch, lemonade (and other “ades”), sweetened powdered drinks, as well as sports and energy drinks. As a
category, these beverages are the single largest source of calories and added sugar in the U.S. diet. In other parts of the
world, particularly developing countries, sugary drink consumption is rising dramatically due to widespread urbanization
and beverage marketing.

There are 4.2 grams of sugar in a single teaspoon. Now, imagine scooping up 7 to 10 teaspoons full of sugar and dumping
it into your 12-ounce glass of water. Does that sound too sweet? You may be surprised to learn that’s how much added
sugar is in the typical can of soda. This can be a useful tip to visualize just how much sugar is in your drink.

Aside from soda, energy drinks have as much sugar as soft drinks, enough caffeine to raise your blood pressure, and
additives whose long-term health effects are unknown. For these reasons, it’s best to skip energy drinks. Although
designed to give athletes carbohydrates, electrolytes, and fluid during high-intensity workouts that last one hour or more,
for everyone else they’re just another source of calories and sugar.

Drinks naturally high in sugar like 100% fruit juices are also featured. While juice often contains healthful nutrients like
vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, it should also be limited as it contains just as much sugar (though from naturally
occurring fruit sugars) and calories as soft drinks.

(Adapted from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu)

Text 2

Soft drinks are often high in sugar content and acidity. Each gram of sugar contains 4 calories. In addition, they supply
energy only and are of little nutritional benefit. Several studies have shown that soft drink consumption with high sugar
and acid content can contribute to detrimental general and oral health effects on children and adolescents, including an
increasing risk of overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental caries, and dental erosion.

[A] Obesity has recently emerged as a major global health problem. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Scientific
Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommend a diet where a maximum of 5% of the energy comes from free sugars.
SACN reported that nearly a third of children aged 2–15 years living in the UK are overweight or obese, and that younger
generations are becoming obese at earlier ages and staying so for longer. [B] In the USA, two out of three adults and one
out of three children are overweight or obese with over 18% of 6–19 year olds above the 95th percentiles of body mass
index (BMI), for age and gender.

A rising consumption of sugar-containing soft drinks has been suggested as a major contributor to the obesity
epidemic. [C] In the USA, the per capita annual consumption of regular soft drink increased by 86% between 1970 and
1997 alone. During that period of time, the prevalence of obesity rose by 112%.

Overweight and obesity can have major costs for individuals and their families as well as for the health care systems. It
increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease as well as doubles the risk of dying prematurely. Type
2 diabetes has also emerged as a global public health concern, parallel to the global trends in the prevalence of
obesity. [D] Along with the increased consumption of soft drinks, there has been a rapid and large increase in the reported
incidence of type 2 diabetes. [E]
 (Adapted from https://link.springer.com)

15. Where in Text 2 can the sentence below be inserted? 20. What is the relationship between both texts?
A. Both texts extensively explain sugary drinks and
“The increase in intake of sugar-containing soft drinks their effect on health.
has coincided with rising body weights and energy B. Both texts elaborates on how beverage marketing
intakes in several populations.” influences how sugary drinks are consumed.
C. Text 1 talks briefly about a specific type of
A. [A] beverage whereas Text 2 highlights its detrimental
B. [B] effects.
C. [C] D. Text 1 highlights the concern associated with
D. [D] sugary drinks whereas Text 2 elaborates on the
E. [E] negative health effects linked to its consumption.
E. Text 1 elaborates on the health concerns caused by
16. What factual information is used to help readers soft drinks whereas Text 2 advocates for
understand how sweet a drink is? consuming them in moderation.
A. There are 4.2 grams of sugar in a teaspoon.
B. Each gram of sugar contains 4 calories.
C. Energy drinks have as much sugar as soft drinks.
D. Sugary drink consumption is rising dramatically.
E. A third of children aged 2–15 years living in the UK
are overweight.

17. According to Text 1, why is it recommended to avoid

energy drinks?
A. Because they do not actually provide people with
energy from drinking them
B. Because they contain healthful nutrients like
vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals
C. Because they are designed to give athletes
carbohydrates, electrolytes, and fluid during high-
intensity workouts
D. Because the way they are advertised is misleading
to consumers and they do not actually give energy
E. Because they contain enough caffeine to raise your
blood pressure, and additives whose long-term
health effects are unknown

18. From Text 2, we can conclude that ….

A. people who are relatively thin do not consume soft
drinks at all
B. obesity increases the risk of developing type 2
diabetes and heart disease
C. soft drinks are best consumed by people who are
not overweight yet
D. people should choose to drink soft drinks in
moderation or skip them altogether
E. people with obesity are more likely to drink more
soft drinks than the average person

19. Which of the following is NOT MENTIONED as a

negative impact of sugary drinks based on Text 2?
A. Dental erosion
B. Obesity
C. Cognitive deterioration
D. Type 2 diabetes
E. Dental caries