TEXT 1

In 2010, researchers estimated that 8 billion kg of plastic entered the ocean in a single year, and
that number would sharply increase by 2025. When it enters the ocean, plastic waste disrupts
marine ecosystems, travels to central locations, and forms a trash island which can cover an area
of more than 1.6 million square km. These plastics never degrade, but rather break up into smaller
sizes. They eventually become microplastics that stay in the environment for hundreds of years.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego have invented a new biodegradable material
that is designed to replace the commonly used plastics. The material started to biodegrade in
seawater within four weeks. The team found that various marine organisms colonize the material
and break it into nutrients for their consumption.
The research of this new plastic is joined by experts in biology, chemistry, and marine science.
They have shown that it is possible to make durable plastics that also can degrade in the ocean.
Plastics should not be going into the ocean in the first place. But now, if they do, this new plastic
can become food for microorganisms and not harmful trash.
Adapted from: [Link]

TEXT 2
Plastic is everywhere and important to the growth of many industries, such as packaging, building,
and automotive. About 83.5% of consumer products rely on plastic in some ways. Food without
plastic packaging would spoil long before it reaches consumers’ fridges. PVC pipes made of plastic
are an essential building part that reduce leakage and corrosion to conserve water and energy.
Plastics make cars dramatically lighter, which increases fuel efficiency.
Researchers have been working to improve the plastic recycling process since it was realized that
plastic was harming the environment. Recycling plastic not only helps the environment and
reduces trash, but it also creates more jobs. The recycling sector generates up to 30 times more
jobs than the common disposal sector. In fact, Tellus Institute reports that over 1.5 million new
jobs would be created if the national recycling rate could be increased to 75%.
Modern recycling techniques can transform plastic into more useful products. Some experts have
seen the opportunity to make jet fuel from plastic. However, even a simple recycling strategy has
commercial benefits. Over 3 million plastic bottles have already been converted into pillow fillers
by IHG Hotels & Resorts. Customers are happy to sleep well and use a product that benefits the
environment, according to IHG. And it is all thanks to plastic.
(Adapted from: [Link]
plastics/)

1. Which of the following statements is an opinion from Text 1?

A. These plastics never degrade, but rather break up into smaller sizes.
B. Recycling plastic not only helps the environment and reduces trash, but it also creates
more jobs.
C. Plastics should not be going into the ocean in the first place.
D. They eventually become micro plastics that stay in the environment for hundreds of
years.
E. Customers are happy to sleep well and use a product that benefits the environment.

2. What is the relationship between Texts 1 and 2?

A. Text 1 discusses the biodegradable material used in many useful products explained in Text
2.
B. Text 1 explains how biodegradable material can help improve the plastic recycling process
discussed in Text 2.
C. Both texts explain what scientists have done to provide plastics which do not harm the
environment.
D. Text 2 explains how new plastic material mentioned in Text 1 is recycled to create more
jobs.
E. Text 2 discusses the plastic recycling process that has been improved by the research
findings explained in Text 1.

3. Based on information from the two texts, which of the following will most likely happen in
the future?
A. Plastic waste in the ocean is unavoidable.
B. It is impossible to preserve customer food without biodegradable plastics.
C. Disposing plastic waste into seawater will create more job opportunities.
D. Marine organisms can be used to recycle plastics into pillows.
E. There is no need to completely ban plastic usage from this world.

James Andrew Standardized testing causes the lack of creativity and can hinder a student’s
overall learning potential. It also forces teachers only spend the instructional time
on material that will appear on the test.
Melissa Higgins Stressing out tends to occur due to standardized test. For students, a bad test score
may mean missing out on admission to the college of their choice or even being
held back.
Moriah Kent Standardized tests are often scored by computers or by people who do not directly
know the student to remove the chance that bias would affect the scoring. Tests
are also developed by experts, and each question undergoes an intense process to
ensure its validity and reliability.
Connor Valadez Standardized testing is accompanied by a set of established standards or an
instructional framework to guide classroom learning and test preparation.
Jason Sanders Some students may excel in the classroom yet not perform well on a standardized
test because they're unfamiliar with the format or develop test anxiety. Family
strife, mental and physical health issues, and language barriers can all affect a
student's test score. But standardized tests don't allow personal factors to be taken
into consideration.
Loren Kaplan With public and charter schools both competing for the same public funds,
politicians and educators have come to rely even more on standardized test scores.
Some opponents of testing argue that low-performing schools are unfairly targeted
by politicians who use academic performance as an excuse to further their own
agendas.

4. Who perceived standardized testing provides an objective measurement of student

performance?
a. James Andrew
b. Moriah Kent
c. Loren Kaplan
d. Connor Valadez
e. Jason Sanders

5. The word “hinder” in James Andrew’s post is closest in meaning to ….

a. Release
b. Liberate
c. Obstruct
d. Determine
e. Provoke

6. What is the tone of the thread regarding the standardized test?

a. Encouraging
b. Passionate
c. Neutral
d. Argumentative
e. Humorous

7. Make one sentence from two. Use relative clause.

a. Catherine is very friendly. She lives next door.
_____________________________________________________
b. We stayed at the Park Hotel. A friend of ours recommended it.
_____________________________________________________
c. Steven is one of my closest friends. I have known him for a very long time.
_____________________________________________________
d. Lisa is away from home a lot. Her job involves a lot of travelling.
_____________________________________________________
8. Fill in the gaps with make, let or allow in the correct form
a. Just a reminder. This is an exam, guys. So, no one is ______ to speak to anyone.
b. They _______ us do exercises every morning. We have no choice. Mama, take me
home.
c. I wish they would ______ us do what we wanted.
d. My boss ______ me submit report every day. It's unbelievable.

9. Rewrite the following sentences into Active or Passive voice

A. The book was written by Jane Austen.
B. The girls are baking some cookies.
C. The speech was being delivered by the president.
D. The contract had been signed by the members before we arrived in the building.

10. Change the direct speech into reported speech, and vice versa
a. Lisa told Patric, “I am not going to invest much money in that company because it
doesn’t give many profits.”
b. Clara said that she hadn’t meet Tom at Angel’s party the day before.
c. Mr. Joe asked the students, “Is there anybody absent today?”
d. Mom told me, “Don’t stress it out!”
e. Lydia asked the man when the registration was closed.
f. Justin asked the man, “Where should I go to get further information?”
g. Jacob asked me if I would lend him some money.