Explanation

How Earthquakes Happen

Earthquake is one of the most destroying natural disasters. Unluckily it often happens in several regions. Recently a horrible earthquake has shaken West Sumatra. It has brought great damages. Why did it occur? Do you know how an earthquake happens?

Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves. It make the ground shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little. They don't just slide smoothly. The rocks are still pushing against each other, but not moving. After a while, the rocks break because of all the pressure that's built up. When the rocks break, the earthquake occurs.

During the earthquake and afterward, the plates or blocks of rock start moving, and they continue to move until they get stuck again. The spot underground where the rock breaks is called the focus of the earthquake. The place right above the focus is called the epicenter of the earthquake.
( source: http://bos-sulap.blogspot.com )

Discussion

National Exam in Pros and Cons?

National exam becomes the hot topic in most of discussions. Though the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the go-vernment on the organization of the national exams, the controversy over whether it is necessary to maintain the national exams (UN) has continued. Some debates include the primary questions such as; does the quality of Indonesia education depend on the national exam?, will the quality of the Indonesian education system worsen without natipnal exam?

People, who support the national exam explain that the quality of the Indonesia education system will drop without the national exam, so they try to defend the current system.

Hoever there are people who disagree with the opinion. Those who against this national exam kept in our high school education say that it doesn't need the national exams because the quality of education does not just depend on the national exam. Further, the national exam only measures a small portion of students' competence in specific subjects, and does not measure students' competences throughout the semester.

In fact, the national examination can still be useful as an instrument to evaluate or detect the level of students' cognitive competence in several subjects, on a national scale.

( source: http://bos-sulap.blogspot.com )

Indonesian Folklore

Timun Mas (The Golden Cucumber)

from: Central Java

Once upon a time, not far from a jungle, lived husband and a wife. The were farmers. The were diligent farmers and always worked hard on the paddy fields. They had been married for many years and still not have a child yet. Everyday they prayed and prayed for a child.

One night, while they were praying, a giant passed their house. The giant heard they pray.

"Don't worry farmers. I can give you a child. But you have to give me that child when she is 17 years old," said the giant.

The farmers were so happy. They did not think about the risk of losing their child later and agree to take the offer. Later, the giant gave them a bunch of cucumber seeds. The farmers planted them carefully. Then the seeds changed into plants.

Not longer after that, a big golden cucumber grew from plants. After it had ripe, the farmers picked and cut it. They were very surprised to see beautiful girl inside the cucumber. They named her Timun Mas or Golden Cucumber. Years passed by and Timun Mas has changed into a beautiful girl.

On her 17th birthday, Timun Mas was very happy. However, the parents were very sad. They knew they had to keep their promise to the giant but they also did not want to lose their beloved daughter.

"My daughter, take this bag. It can save you from the giant," said the father.

"What do you mean, Father? I don't understand," said Timun Mas.

Right after that, the giant came into their house.

"Run Timun Mas. Save your life!" said the mother. The giant was angry. He knew the farmers wanted to break their promise. He chased Timun Mas away. The giant was getting closer and closer.

Timun Mas then opened the bag and threw a handful of salt. It became sea. The giant had to swim to cross the sea. Later, Timun Mas threw some chilly. It became a jungle with trees. The trees had sharp thorns so they hurt the giant.

However, the giant was still able to chase Timun Mas. Timun Mas took her third magic stuff. It was cucumber seeds. She threw them and became cucumber field.

But the giant still could escape from the field. Then it was the last magic stuff she had in the bag. It was a shrimp paste, terasi. She threw it and became a big swamp.

The giant was still trying to swim the swamp but he was very tired. Then he was drowning and died. TimunMas then immediately went home. The farmers were so happy that they finally together again.

Source: http://indonesianfolklore.blogspot.com

English Remedial Test 1

• Change into passive voice

1. Mrs. K asked them to pay the school fee in time.
They were asked to pay the school fee in time.
2. Should we do the remedial test in a piece of paper?
Should the remedial test be done in a piece of paper?
3. You must not forget to write your name.
Your name must not be forgotten to write.
4. Are you speaking English during the English class?
Is English being spoken during the English class??
5. She crossed the answers several times.
The answers were crossed several times.
6. We have finished doing our task before other students.
Our task has been finished doing before other students.
7. Will you be waiting for them all day long?
Will they be being waited for all day long?
8. We celebrated the 47th anniversary of our school yesterday.
The 47th anniversary of our school was celebrated yesterday.
9. They were having dinner when suddenly the stove exploded.
Dinner was being had when suddenly the stove exploded.
10. The teacher had punished them for something they did not do.
They had been punished for something they did not do.

• Change into active voice

11. We are invited for lunch by the headmaster.
The headmaster invites us for lunch.
12. Many students are being given the English remedial test by Mr. T.
Mr. T is giving many students the English remedial test.
13. Was English being studied diligently by them last night?
Were they studying English diligently last night?
14. This test has been being finished in 45 minutes by the students.
The students have been finishing this test in 45 minutes.
15. Have they been being taught math by Mr. Good for three years?
Has Mr. Good been teaching them math for three years?

• Plural

16. Has Mr. Fajar been showing them his new blog?
a. Have they been being shown his new blog?
b. Has his new blog been being shown to them?
17. They do not ask her several questions.
a. She is not asked several questions.
b. Several questions are not asked to her.
18. Has Mrs. Nanik been reading us another story?
a. Have we been read another story?
b. Has another story been being read to us?
19. Didn’t he tell you the school regulation?
a. Weren’t you told the school regulation?
b. Wasn’t the school regulation told to you?
20. We were introducing him our pretty sisters last night.
a. He was being introduced to our pretty sisters last night.
b. Our pretty sisters were being introduced to him last night.