Getting dropped out of Univ ...

Out of 10 students for online learning, only 4 have submitted to me, well thanks, then, the other 6 students certainly have so far ensured to threaten my chance of completing my master degree program with the online learning of cloze-passage. I have contacted all of you twice by sms/text & once by email invitation to the project, and none replied. Sigh.

BTW, thanks for your work on my thesis projects
i.e. http://sites.google.com/site/2010teguh
Joses, Hans, Viciano and Leonard.

Thanks as well for those helping me in class
with the classical teaching (not using e-learning)

Regards,

SIR

An outbound photo during April 29-30 retreat with PENABUR high school teachers

Guess where I am.
Hint: the SHINIEST one :)

Source: http://ruthpkn.blogspot.com/2010/04/field-trip-outbond-bina-iman-paskah.html

Feb 16 reading assignment: a 100-word summary of an online magazine article (deadline: Feb. 15, 2010)

Dear Year 11,
After today's 30-minute exercise of writing a 50-word summary of Reader's Digest, National Geographic magazine OR Newsweek magazine from SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong library, here is your Valentine/IMLEK/Chinese new year's "gift" ... one assigment due date Feb. 15, 2010. The details are as follows:

Write a 100-word summary of an article of at least 2 pages,
from one of the following magazines:
a. http://www.sciam.com/sciammag/ (Scientific America)
b. http://www.rd.com/ (Reader's Digest)
c. http://www.ngm.com/ (National Geographic Magazine)
One example of the article is:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/big-idea/07/mars &
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/big-idea/07/mars-pg2


The article must be the 2010 issues/ editions.

Please include the complete/exact LINK of the article, please, like
last April 2009 assignment at my blogs for last year grade 11:
http://sirteguh.blogspot.com/2009/04/1-week-assignment-for-both-year-10-11.html

Regards,


SIR

(2nd sem. 1st assignment) Brilliant competition's preparation & planning

For around 20 minutes, write in 100 words in a group of max. 2 students:
1. what you have already done/ you have not done yet regarding your job as the Brilliant Competition committee
2. what are you going to do for the 2010 Brilliant competition:
a. on January 28, 2010 technical meeting?
b. on January 29-30, 2010 competition and seminar?

Your writing should be done in at least 2 sites:
a. your own blogs
b. sir's blogs by copying your 100-word writing & the link to your blogs.

Note: Website of Brilliant Competition:
http://sites.google.com/site/worldofbrilliantclass/

Regards,


SIR

2009 Xmas tragedy ... my HAIR!

My Dec. 25, 2009 new LOOK by accident!




"Captain" TEGUH's logs.
Exchange of (translated into English) sms from me to Mr Indra Wiarsa (iw) on today, Dec. 25, 2009, as follows:

me: <8.04p.m.>
At a mall, rp 8,000 haircut, wash and blow. Can't find anywhere cheaper than (name of salon)! BTW, what is Koln (Germany) famous of, cheese, chocolate or what? A friend is there.

iw: <8.08p.m.>
There is a museum of chocolate at Koln & Kolnisch beer is superb with low alcohol. Great cheese is everywhere in Europe with its rich variety. The great chocolate production is in Spain.

me: <8.34p.m. sent to 2 friends and a cousin>
1st time incident with *clipper! Requested a 3-cm cut fr the tip of the hair, n what did I get?
1st: The "barbar" (not barber, ho ho) did a 3-cm cut from the bottom. I thought it was ok.
2nd: Taking off my glasses. I noted sthng wrong. There was a shining scalp! It turned out she used a 10mm/1cm clipper! I am Mike Tyson now!

iw: (8.44p.m.)
^_^ ^_^ ^_^ Ha ha ha ha ha ....
My suggestion ---> take picture then publish it @Friendster, Facebook, etc. Bisa gempar deh ...

BEFORE (used to be like this)








AFTER (gosh! Am I handsome or what?!)



me: (8.52p.m.)
Another tale of Shaolin monk then :) great idea!
What added to the irony was (in a supermarket in the mall--tg) there was (boy band) ANGKASA's "Jangan ada Dusta di Antara Kita" (meaning: No lies between us, popularized by the late Indonesian singer, Broery Pesolima, said the cashier--tg) with lyrics,
"Here I am, I appreciate your decision" ("Aku begini adanya, kuhargai keputusanmu ...")
Don't be "**Luna Maya part 2". Ngomel2 di blogs. Gee! Tomorrow there will be Batch 1999 reunion (of SMAK 1 PENABUR Jakarta) Ich liebe Kojak (I love Kojak, a famous old American detective--tg)

iw: (8:57p.m.)
Arrrrgh..., a Christmas amusement, causing to laugh like this. Let's meet so we can have better laughs (Wadoah..., hiburan dihari Natal, bisa ketawa kayak gini. Ketemu d biar bisa ketawa lbh asik. Coba pake jubah ato jas hujan d sblm difoto)

me: (9p.m.)
Ho ho (ooops, raincoat? Bombay film cries. Yeah. When will we have a rendezvous with Mr. BG cs (BG = Bambang Gunawan--tg). BTW, I'm in the spirit of writing it in sirteguh.blogspot.com :) gutten nacht/ Good nite.

========
* Clipper (in a beauty salon) =
a hair cutter, usu. for males, with different clips to select from the size of 3mm., 6mm., 10mm. and 15mm
**Luna Maya (incident) has something to do with a December incident of an actress, complaining in a twitter, which was then sued

FINAL Exam: Year 11 Brilliant Class SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong

Have a look and try this Year 11 English (ESL) exam
administered this Tuesday morning for 18 Brilliant class students
of SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/school/smakgsjkt:

SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong
Academic Year 2009/2010, 1st Semester
Brilliant Class Year 11 FINAL EXAM
ENGLISH Language (ESL)
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Time: 120 minutes
=================================================================

General instructions:
1. There are 2 sections of this final exam (total 6 pages), worth 30% of the total semester mark.
2. Please have a check there should be 50 test items—10 on listening and 40 on reading comprehension/ vocabulary.
3. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
4. System: CLOSE BOOK, no calculator.
5. You may bring home this test document.

A. LISTENING section (total: 18 points)
Listen carefully to the two recorded materials to be played twice, and write a BRIEF answer to the questions.

For #1-6: ESSAY
Based on a short radio talk about tourist attractions in Britain, write a BRIEF answer to the questions
(track 3 CD1 Cambridge ESL)

1. According to the Guide, of more than 300 attractions, write three kinds of them available (2 points)

2. Out of 20 attractions, how many are considered only 1-star out of 5-star quality, and write one attraction (2 points)

3. For guidance tour, how much Canterbury cathedral charge visitors? (1 point)

4. What two honours does Hampton Court receive? (2 points)

5. What does Jane think of Buckingham Palace? (2 points)

6. Where can tourists buy the Guide? (1 point)

For #7-10:
Listen to the CD on a discussion between 2 students on Biology (TOEFL track 12).

7. What are the students mainly discussing?
A. Drugs that are harmful to the human body
B. Bacteria that produce antibiotics
C. DNA that is related to athletic performance
D. Genes that protect bacteria from antibiotics

8. According to the conversation, what are two ways in which bacteria cells get resistance genes?
1. The resistance genes are carried from nearby cells.
2. The resistance genes are carried by white blood cells.
3. The resistance genes are inherited from parent cell.
4. The resistance genes are carried by antibiotics.
A. 1 and 2 C. 1 and 3
B. 2 and 4 D. 3 and 4

9. According to the conversation, why are transposons sometimes called “jumping genes”?
A. They are able to move from one bacteria cell to another.
B. They are found in people with exceptional jumping ability.
C. They occur in every other generation of bacteria.
D. Their movements are rapid and unpredictable

10. What can be learnt about the resistance genes discussed in this conversation?
A. They are found in all bacteria cells.
B. They are not able to resist antibiotics.
C. They make the treatment of bacterial diseases more difficult.
D. They are essential to the body’s defenses against bacteria.
Please turn over for READING problems

B. READING Comprehension section (total: 82 points, i.e. 52 from multiple-choice, and 30 from ESSAY)

TEXT 1: RI storms into Uber Cup final
(JP) Host Indonesia cruised into the final of the Uber Cup women team badminton championship on Thursday after trouncing Germany 3-1 in the semifinals.
Although losing the first single match, Indonesia bounced back by winning one double match and two singles matches against Germany.
Indonesia's first single player Maria Kristin bowed out 20-21, 15-21 to Xu Huaiwen, but duo Jo Novita and Greysia Polii leveled the score, outwitting Germany's pair Birgit Overzier and Kathrin Piotrowshki 21-9, 21-13.
Indonesia took a 2-1 lead when Adriyanti Firdasari edged past Julianne Schenk 21-16, 22-20, before the last single player Pia Zebadiah ensured her country's triumph over Germany with a 21-7, 21-16 win over Karin Schnaase.
Indonesia will take on defending champion and favorite China in the final, scheduled for Saturday.
It is Indonesia's first final in more than ten years. The last time Indonesia won the Uber Cup was back in 1996.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/05/15/ri-storms-uber-cup-final.html>

11. How many Indonesian single players won over Germany’s?
A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 3 E. 4

12. When is Indonesia going to face China?
A. May 14th, 2008 C. May 16th, 2008 E. May 18th, 2008
B. May 15th, 2008 D. May 17th, 2008

13. The underlined term “trouncing” in the sentence “…after trouncing Germany 3-1 in the semifinals.”
(paragraph 1) is closest in meaning to …
A. losing to C. defending E. drawing with
B. defeating D. destabilizing

14. The genre/ text type of the text above is …..
A. narrative C. exposition E. discursive
B. recount D. news items

15. What is the purpose of this article regarding the Indonesian Uber Cup team?
A. To retell the past defeat of the team.
B. To inform the team’s success to go to the final.
C. To illustrate the struggle of the team.
D. To provide the badminton final schedule.
E. To inform who will be the team’s opponent in the final.

For #16-20: TEXT 2
Alexandria is a seaport in northern Egypt, where the delta of the river Nile meets the Mediterranean. The modern city is mainly on a peninsula and includes Pharos, where the famous lighthouse stood in ancient times. The part of the city on the peninsula today is a characteristically Egyptian town. The more European area is on the mainland. Alexandria is a commercial centre and there are many warehouses for cotton, grain, sugar, and wool. The population is between three and four million.
The city was founded in 332 BC by Alexander the Great, who planned it as one of the finest ports of the ancient world. His city was large and magnificent. In Alexandria the different peoples of the ancient Mediterranean lived together. Here, the Jews came into contact with Greek learning, which profoundly influenced the later religious thought of the world. Under the Ptolemies, the rulers of Egypt after Alexander, the city became the scientific centre of the ancient world.
After the defeat of Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, the city came under the rule of Rome. Its position made it the centre of commerce between East and West, and fleets of grain ships sailed from Alexandria to Italy year after year. Gradually, however, the city lost its prosperity. A Jewish revolt let to the removal of the Jewish population and the destruction of a large portion of the city. The Roman emperor Caracalla ordered a massacre of the male inhabitants of the entire city for plotting rebellion.
Only the text is taken from FCE test part 3 in http://www.english-online.org.uk/exam

16. The underlined word “founded” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to .…
A. sought C. ruined E. established
B. declared D. destroyed

17. The ANTONYM of the underlined word “prosperity” in paragraph 3 is ….
A. chaos C. poverty E. stability
B. wealth D. massacre

18. Who was responsible for the advance of the Alexandria as the centre of science?
A. Cleopatra C. Ruler of Rome E. Caracalla
B. Ptolemies D. Alexander the Great

19. Which of the following is NOT TRUE based on the text?
A. The famous lighthouse could be found in Pharos.
B. Alexandria was once under the rule of Queen Cleopatra.
C. Alexandria was the centre for cotton, grain, sugar, and wool.
D. Alexandria was the centre of commerce between West and South.
E. The Alexandrian male inhabitants were killed by the order of Caracalla.

20. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?
A. Where Alexandria was located D. Rule of Romans towards Alexandria
B. Fall of the Alexandria E. Alexandria’s victorious era
C. Jewish and Greek learnings

For no. 21-23: TEXT 3

205 Thompson Ave,
Manchester M60 4TH

June 17, 1983

Personnel Office,
Leisure Services Council,
Goer Street,
London WCIG 3HH

Dear Sir,
I am writing to apply for the post of Arts Officer as advertised in the Daily Gazette of 16 June, 1983.
As you see from the enclosed curriculum vitae, I started working as an English teacher in Paris, where I learned to speak French fluently. I then spent three years at the Liverpool Arts Centre. Since 1979, I have been working for the Interspace Theatre, and I have had the opportunity to organize workshops, concerts and children‘s events as well as regular productions of plays. I am used to working in a team, and I have also been responsible for important financial decisions.
I have now worked in the field of arts administration for seven years and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, Interspace Theatre is to be closed down as a result of redevelopment, but I should very much like to continue working in this field.
If you consider that my qualifications are suitable, I should be able to attend an interview at any time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Emma Hall

21. Emma Hall has been working as …
A. a teacher B. an artist C. an actress D. administrator E. an interpreter

22. Based on the text, Emma Hall … Interspace Theatre.
A. started working in 1976 in
B. started working in 1979 in
C. had been working for 3 years since 1976 in
D. has been working for 3 years since 1983 in
E. started working in Liverpool Arts Centre before in

23. If the personnel office of Leisure Services Council is interested in recruiting Emma Hall,
what will its next step possibly be?
A. Firing Emma Hall
B. Advertising in the Daily Gazette
C. Writing a letter to Interspace Theatre
D. Setting up an interview for Emma Hall
E. Sending a letter to Goer Street for an interview

(The letter and problem #21 are from: On Course for First Certificate (Students’ Book) by Judy Garton-Sprenger and Simon Greenal, 1983.)


For no. 24-28: TEXT 4

Some people are scared of the sea because they cannot swim. People who can swim might still be scared of ocean swimming for a different reason: sharks! Sharks can be the most dangerous fish in the ocean, but many people misunderstand why shark attacks happen.

Bull sharks are large and stout—meaning heavy and solid. Males can be up to 2.1 metres in length, while females can be up to 3.5 metres long. They are usually grey on top and white underneath. They are called bull sharks because of their heavy build and their method of attack—they bump hard into their prey before biting. They are unpredictable, and can be quite aggressive and territorial, meaning they want to protect their own space.

The nature of bull sharks is not the main thing that makes them dangerous to humans. They live in warm, shallow waters close to land and also in the parts of rivers that open out to the ocean, so they are often close to the places where people like to swim and play. It is the proximity (close distance) between humans and bull sharks that makes them dangerous.
Then there are the most fearsome sharks, called great white or white pointer sharks. These sharks swim not only near the coasts, but also in the open ocean. They can grow up to 6 metres in length, with dark coloration on top and white bellies. Famous movies like Jaws have caused people to think great whites are “man hunters”. Actually, there have not been many attacks on humans. Those that do happen often appear to be “test bites” (biting to find out what kind of animal it is) or mistakes, where the shark thinks a swimming person is another animal, like a seal.

Only the text is taken from the placement test (reading skills) of 2008 BOOST! textbook

24. The habitat of bull sharks can be found in paragraph(s) ….
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. 2 and 3

25. One day Mang Asep, a 1.6-metre-tall fisherman, saw a dead shark lying on
*Pelabuhan Ratu beach. Its belly is white and has a 3-metre-long body.
Which shark might it be based on the text above?
A. Male bull shark only D. Options A and B are both correct
B. Female bull shark only E. Options B and C are both correct
C. Great white shark only

26. What is the main reason why bull sharks are a threat to humans?
A. They possess large and stout body.
B. They have aggressive method of attack.
C. They like to hunt humans for their meat.
D. They love swimming alone near riverside.
E. They swim very close to where humans stay.

27. What is the best title for this text?
A. Man’s Biggest Threat
B. Why Sharks Attack
C. Two Kinds of Sharks
D. Man and Sharks
E. History of Sharks

28. The genre/ text type of this text is ….
A. narrative B. report C. procedure D. exposition E. discursive

For no. 29-35: TEXT 5
Next is part of the article “Have a Nice Mouth” (ESL Workbook by Lucantoni et al, page 35)
a) For #29-32, write A for TRUE or B for FALSE for the following statements.
b) For #33-35, choose the most suitable answer.

The first sign of periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis, which develops in pockets between the gum and bone as it progresses. One natural compound showing promise in dealing with this is hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the gum and the eye. It has been used to treat eyes after surgery; now it is being used for gum health. Research is in its early stages, but Dr Peter Galgut, a specialist in periodontics, has been using it for about 18 months to control pockets of inflammation. ‘It gives significant advantage for promoting healing of gingival pockets in susceptible people, as well as helping to heal mouth ulcers and a type of oral eczema,’ he says.

Halitosis (bad breath) plagues many people. Dr. Phil Stemmer, founder of the Fresh Breath Centre, says there are two misconceptions about bad breath: ‘The first is that it comes from the stomach, which is physically impossible unless there is damaged sphincter at the top of the stomach. The other is that a major cause is sulphurous gases given off by oral bacteria.’ After brushing and flossing, Dr Stemmer advocates using a tongue scraper, which gets rid of food debris coating the tongue and reduces the reserve of bacteria in the mouth. Another unexpected, but logical, suggestion is to brush your teeth before breakfast to get rid of the bacteria, so they are unable to react with the food to create acid. Acid forms within seconds of food entering the mouth, and within a minute or two are strong enough to eat away at tooth enamel.

TRUE / FALSE
29. Gingivitis, located between the gum and bone, is the early sign of the periodontal disease.

30. Hyaluronic acid—an artificial compound—can be used to only treat eyes after surgery and gum.

31. Bad breath is caused by sulphurous gases caused by oral bacteria.

32. Brushing teeth is advised to do after breakfast to avoid having acid, as a result of reaction between the bacteria and the tooth enamel.

33. The underlined word “it” in the sentence “The first is that it comes from the stomach … ” (paragraph 1) refers to ….
A. halitosis C. misconception E. sphincter
B. plague D. fresh Breath Centre

34. Next are the synonyms of the underlined word “reduces” (paragraph 2), EXCEPT ….
A. cuts B. gains C. diminishes D. lessens E. decreases

35. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Using tongue scraper without brushing and flossing guarantees oral health.
B. The research on hyaluronic acid has been completed and published in journals.
C. Of the Fresh Breath Centre scientists are Dr. Phil Stemmer and Dr Peter Galgut.
D. Hyaluronic acid heals gingival pockets, mouth ulcers and a type of oral eczema.
E. Dr Stemmer supports the use of tongue scraper to remove food leftover in mouth.

For #36: Vocabulary
36. The movie “2012” is full of natural …., such as earthquakes and tsunamis caused by the troubling solar activities.
A. milieus C. manufactures E. environments
B. calamities D. devastation


C. ESSAY (total: 30 points)
Write a BRIEF answer to the following questions on a separate paper.
For #37-40: TEXT 6

2012 opens in the present day, as geologist Dr. Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) goes to India and learns there's been troubling solar activity that confirms the Mayan prediction that the world is going to fall apart in three years' time. (Don't worry too much about the science; in fact, if you need a popcorn refill this would be a good time to go).

In 2010, at a G8 summit, heads of state and government are made aware of this apocalyptic forecast and thus cooperate on a secret project to ensure the continuation of the human race, which involves 400,000 people being chosen for admission on a series of gigantic arks (the first of many Biblical references) to be constructed in the Himalayas. These chosen ones are meant to be from the deepest end of the gene pool, but many are ridiculously wealthy sorts paying 1 billion euro each for the tickets to help fund the project, because, obviously, arks don't come cheap these days.

Of course, the main attraction in an Emmerich film is not the plot, the acting or the plausibility; it's the special effects and action. And 2012 certainly delivers, with a relentless rollercoaster ride of thrills, tense moments and awesome scenes, with every disaster you can think of rocking the screen: volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and even a Titanic-esque sinking (take that Mr. Cameron!).
Partly taken from: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/11/22/the-end-world-again.html

37. What is Dr. Helmsley? (1 point)

38. What are the two kinds of people to be saved? (2 points)

39. What does the writer think as the major attraction of the movie “2012”? (2 points)

40. What are three out of four calamities shown in the movie “2012”? (2 points).

For #41-47: TEXT 7
Indonesian Youth to Take ‘Green Journey’ to Copenhagen

Dian Kuswandini , The Jakarta Post

Two Indonesian youths, Goris Mustaqim and Inggried Dwi Wedhaswary, are set to embark on a "Green Journey" to the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen from Dec. 7 to Dec. 18.

"Indonesia became a stepping stone in the fight against climate change when we hosted the summit in Bali *in 2007*," said the British Council Indonesia spokeswoman Eka Wahyuni. "These young participants will remind the world about the Bali Roadmap, and encourage leaders to transform it into action."

Goris and Inggried will be traveling on a "green journey", which will involve leaving a minimal carbon footprint but a maximum impact while raising awareness about climate change issues along the way.

When landing in London, the two will first meet their foreign counterparts sent by the British Council and then join the "Train to Copenhagen" program initiated by the International Union of Railways, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

According to the British Council, the train is one of the most energy-efficient transportation modes. Its carbon emissions are three to 10 times lower than the car or airplane.

"They will travel to Brussels, where they will continue their journey to Copenhagen using the Climate Express train," said Eka of the special train that produces very low levels of carbon emissions.

On their train trip, Goris and Inggried will take part in various activities, such as gathering support for efforts tackling climate change and promoting those initiatives.


"On our return to Indonesia, we'll offset our carbon emissions accrued from travelling by plane," said Goris. "After calculating our carbon footprint, we'll plant trees to compensate for the emissions we produced."
The British Council Indonesia selected Goris, 26, and Inggried, 28, through the International Climate Champion (ICC), launched two years ago. The program aims to find and help talented young individuals raise awareness about climate change to their peers, the public and key decision-makers.
Goris, the youth-based Asgar Muda founder in Garut, West Java, represents young entrepreneurs setting up businesses in a green way. While Inggried, a journalist with kompas.com, represents young reporters committed to reporting on climate change issues for the public.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/02/indonesian-youth-take-green-journey039-copenhagen.html


41. What is happening in Copenhagen today, Dec. 8th, 2009, based on the text? (1 point)


42. Who is the Indonesian envoy whose job is a “green” industrialist? (1 point)


43. Who is and what is the person supplying the info on the Indonesian youth going to Climate Change conference ? (2 points)


44. Write the three initiators of “Train to Copenhagen? (2 points)


45. Why is the train considered energy-efficient transportation? (2 points)


46. What are the two activities Goris and Inggried participating on the train trip? (2 points)


47. What is the closest meaning of the underlined terms below in the context? (2 points)
a. embark
b. emissions
c. offset


For #48-50: TEXT 8

Love cannot be measured with money
By Li Xing (China Daily)

The big news in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and all over China over the weekend was a 10-year-old girl's birthday party.

The party was extraordinary in itself. The girl's classmates and their parents watched a magic show and listened to some child stars sing. In addition, they won prizes, including jewelry, laptop computers, and three automobiles.

But what made the party newsworthy was the girl's decision to donate all the money she collected from hongbao, or red envelopes, to victims of last year's earthquake in Sichuan. Her birthday gifts alone amounted to 200,000 yuan ($29,282).

In addition, the girl's parents announced that they had sent the quake victims padded coats and quilts worth 500,000 yuan ($73,206) in their daughter's name.

All in all, the party cost more than 1 million yuan. The media have given out very little about who her parents are, except that they are entrepreneurs.

Asked why she made the donation, the girl explained that her parents had always taught her to share with others.

"I hope I have sent joy and happiness to others," she was quoted as saying.

It is impossible to doubt the girl's sincerity in trying to help the needy in Sichuan. Her parents are to be commended as well for teaching their daughter the value of sharing.

Doing good is its own reward. Still, many netizens have questioned the motives of the birthday girl and her parents and wondered whether a birthday party that costs one million yuan can really be considered a charity.

Little wonder, then, that many netizens support the statement that "love cannot be measured with money. It is glorious even to donate one yuan that you've earned with your own hands".

E-mail: lixing@chinadaily.com.cn

48. How much was the total aid worth being sent to 2008 Sichuan victims under the name of the girl? (2 points)


49. What was the girl’s motivation of donating her hungbao to the Sichuan victims of the 2008 earthquake? (2 points)


50. What lesson can you learn from this article? Would you do the same if you had US$1,000 for your birthday gift?
There is no correct or wrong response for this. Your opinion will not influence the scoring. Write around 50 words (6 points)


~ END of 2009 1st Semester FINAL EXAM ~

Ms. Betsy's next assignment: Independent Writing (topic 160)

Hi, Brilliant class year 11,
here is Ms. Betsy's task of independent writing, with the assignment of topic no. 160 (See the Official ETS iBT TOEFL, 2009). Please write your answer in the COMMENT field (deadline Nov 2, 2009) for Tuesday's printing (sir).

Thanks! Congratulations as well to you for taking the 1st TOEFL simulation, mainly on reading and listening comprehensions.

For Year 11 (Batch 2011): Ms. BETSY's TOEFL task: Independent Writing (deadline Oct. 20, 2009)

Hi, Brilliant class year 11,
here is Ms. Betsy's task of independent writing, with the assignment of topic no. 20 (See the Official ETS iBT TOEFL, 2009). Please write your answer in the COMMENT field for Tuesday morning printing.

Also take a look at your photos during last Friday, Oct 16, 2009 Cambridge Biology experiment/practice at PENABUR International Jakarta with Brilliant Class 12th graders, planning to take the test next Oct. 22, 2009. Here is the link:

http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/id/node/5457

SIR

An inspiring and energetic colleague passed away

What a shocking news today from the morning Christian service. One of our most active teachers, a native speaker of English, Mr. Arthur Laronde, nicknamed Art, passed away due to heart attack yesterday (Sunday).

My thoughts flew to our last meeting in Biology laboratory of SMPK 8 PENABUR International. It was one of the last Biology experiment trials by Brilliant Class 12th graders, as well as an extra class for 11th graders. Mr. Oscar Efendy (LIPI/ Indonesian Research Centre) was administering the Biology experiment paper 32 of Oct 2007, when Mr. Art joined us and gave some tips of facing the exams. Among the tips were looking quickly at all the experiment tasks, and paying attention to the time management. I did not realize it was the last meeting with this PENABUR International Jakarta Head of English Department, such an active and inspiring person, who, in his last year, still had the passion to complete doing an advanced Cambridge course in one centre.

Good bye, Mr. Art, may you rest in peace. May your family in both Ontario and Jakarta be strengthened always to face future life.

Teguh, your BPK PENABUR Jakarta English colleague, having gotten
your Bread Talk's oatmeals twice for dietary purposes.

Ms. Betsy's task for year 11 (TOEFL: Integrated Writing)

Dear Year 11 students,
On Oct. 6, 2009 next week, in TOEFL class, you are going to have your 1st writing class with iBT TOEFL integrated writing task to be prepared and delivered by Ms. Betsy herself.
In the end of the class, between 2p.m. and 2.30p.m., please copy-and-paste your writing on the comment field below.
I will be printing out your works for Ms. Betsy at 2.45p.m.

SIR
As requested by Ms. Tantri, TOEFL course coordinator,
from Trisakti School of Tourism

Strange dishes on holidays!

Well, well, here is another holiday without servants. IED holiday! Creativity ... and calamity came! Ha ha ... yesterday, I made breakfast for my small family. You know what? Indonesian "soto" (beef soup). Actually, I did not make, but just heatened the already bought "soto".

What happened then? I had bought some salted eggs ("telor asin"). I broke one, and taraaa! The yolk flew out of it. I could not believe it I had bought raw duck's eggs. 8 of them. Well, I quickly put it into the pan with still boiling "soto". Just now I overheard my sis, brother and dad gossiping about the "eggs" inside the beef soup I created. It turned out the yolk turned into something my vegetarian sis was reluctant to have. She had thought there was something wrong with the thick, bubbling soup. Haah!

Well, today I was smarter, I guess. This morning at 6.30 something I felt so starving I could eat an elephant! I boiled 3 duck's eggs (not salted eggs, of course), for some 5 minutes, I guess. Duck's eggs are slightly bigger and rounder, you know, than chicken's. Meanwhile, I defroze another "soto"/beef soup, and put into it the 3 already peeled boiled duck's eggs. 2nd menu served!

Surprise!! When I tasted SIR's beef soup, what a pride I had. Here is the COOK's own dish! Ha ha ... no sooner than that did I find out another surprise: the boiled duck's eggs were half-cooked! I should've boiled it for 6-7 minutes instead of 5. I love half-cooked sunny-side-up/ "telor mata sapi", but this was a half-cooked boiled egg in one beef soup! Something unusual!

Gosh! I need to learn how to appreciate what the cooks, or my servants, make for our meals. Cooking has never been weirder! I hope my cousin, happening to be the cook of Chinese dishes in "pasar Modern", BSD, can teach me how to cook well! Well, once I cooked my students the green pungent "pete" with sweet/soyabean ketchup. Guess how many ate? Ha ha ... only 4 of 12 students did in that dorm supper. Phew!

Wish this holiday to last longer, not just for a full week. Then, I could cook the strangest dishes amateurly cooked for your pleasure to read and enjoy here!

Let-me-down not

What a dizzy day!

Class was quiet like desert.
No reply do I like quite
Only sound of typing SEAL online
And God knew what else I could find.

Last night enjoying a thriller

Final Destination 4, such a killer.

Cries of fear, yet excited

only to find today disappointed.

Mood tumbled down
I was anything but a clown.
Flying home with a shaky taxi
Even making me feel dizzy.

Gosh!

Smashed!

Showers.

Metamorphs.

Sir/ Gandaria home/ 3.08p.m.

Year 11 (2009/2010) 1st Assignment: TOEFL writing (independent)

Dear Year 11 Batch 2011,
After August 4 explanation on samples of graded writing as well as August 11 notes on writing, including usage of transition signals (cohesive devices), such as "to begin with", "first of all", "secondly", "furthermore", "in addition", "to conclude", "to sum up", "for instance/example", and "such as/ like", and how to respond a disagreement on a statement with negative meaning, like "I disagree that ... NOT ...", now write in the COMMENT field of this August 14th, 2009 blog your assignment with the following details:

1. Topic: *Do you agree that being creative is better than planning carefully when facing problems?
2. State your reasons to support your agreement OR disagreement.
3. Use cohesive devices given in your class notes.
4. Write around 200-250 words.

Deadline: Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Announcement: Wish this exercise to help you in some way in your August 21, 2009 4-hour pre-test (iBT TOEFL) in Mangga Dua Square venue (not: Plaza Sentral, Semanggi as in this morning's email) held by Trisakti School of Tourism, which gave a seminar on iBT TOEFL today at SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong, 14.00-15.40.

*The topic above was part of the 2009 iBT TOEFL exam held on Sat., Aug. 1, 2009, in the writing section (independent type). Thanks to Vincensius (Year 12) for contributing it, and congratulations for your wonderful TOEFL score! 103.

What a day! General election, Mon Ami pastry n Starbucks

Here came the general election day. Today! Holiday. Got no notice, so brought a copy of my ID card and family card. Darn. The post (TPS) I used to come was vacant. Moved to different location I did not know. Well, went to a gov. district. "Kelurahan Melawai". Told the post was nearby. Got lost twice. If it had not been for casting my vote for the presidential election, I would have gone straight to my bed. Actually, I got a different plan.

One international coffee retailer, Starbucks, advertised in national Kompas newspaper yesterday. Any voter, showing their finger covered with purple ink, would get a free MISTO, coffee with milk. On the way from the Dharma Karya school, near Melawai Road (South Jkt), my sister and I stopped by Mon Ami bakery. Yummy! Snacks, and pastries, such as cassava cake and glutinuous cake (ketan bubuk).

Well, there we were. 20 minutes earlier to a Starbuck shop on Melawai Road. Then, voila! One hot milk coffee for my sister and one cold one for me. Mm ... I successfully persuaded the shop assistant to take a picture of us with the ink-tainted finger showing we have voted! Gosh. What a day.

Birthday celebration at Sand's ...

June 7th, 2009, my friends and I celebrated together our birthday at Sand's, Mangga 2 Square. It was the birthday celebration of 7 of us: Ms Dian (absent), Cu Hong (organizer), Markiano, Hartaty, Ms. Dian (absent), Leonie, Melissa, and me. Among those coming are Lina, Since, Amelia, and of course Cu Hong's wife and some of our family. Nani was going overseas, while Mr. Andy was celebrating his son's birthday on the same day.

Anyway, I think the food was tasty! The music was damn COOL. The karaoke was wonderful! 2 thumbs up, especially with the big discount from Sand's for June 2009 promotion with still best services.

A reunion with Batch 1996 SMAK 1 Jakarta in Urban Kitchen, Pacific Place, May 2009

Next are two photos sir took from Agus Dwireka's facebook on SMAK 1 Batch 1996 PRE-reunion in Country Kitchen last May 2009. Wow! Some have already had babies, and I haven't! Poor sir. Ha ha ha ... on the right picture, smiling widely on the foreground is Ms. Wati, the Indonesian language teacher, also one of my best colleagues at SMAK 1.

Thanks to Henny for the source of the other photos (requiring a facebook login account) is:
http://www.facebook%20.com/home.%20php?#/album.

BTW, I've just updated Brilliant Class website, with another PRESTIGIOUS achievement, this time in Math, in University of Indonesia, sweeping all 4 top medals for LOGIKA individual events. Click: http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/school/smakgsjkt

School Climate Challenge projects (a May 2009 review)

Next is my review on beginning of May 2009 on the four projects done by 4 teams of SMAK 1 BPK PENABUR Bandung. The environmental-themed projects, called School Climate Challenge (SCC) was initiated by the British Council Indonesia. Deadline: today, June 7th, 2009.
Also find in my REVIEW for the 4 projects put into blogs/website for much more complete articles and updates, including WOW! comics, youtube video links on global warming and facebook links:
http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/node/4941
The SCC blogs of British Council Indonesia:
http://schoolclimatechallenge.wordpress.com

REVIEW
The British Council Indonesia, in collaboration with Ashoka Foundation, National Geographic and Pandu Pertiwi, held an environmental project called the Climate Challenge for high school students nationwide. Their website is, respectively, www.britishcouncil.or.id, www.ashoka.or.id, http://nationalgeographic.co.id/ and http://www.caretakers4all.org/.

Since February 2009, the British Council Indonesia has also launched their blogs at http://schoolclimatechallenge.wordpress.com/ and their facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/people/Scc-Indonesia/1531114087. Two of the noble purposes include involving the teenagers—1/3 of the Indonesian population below the age of 18—to take an active role to save the earth and giving the community an economic benefit as resulted by the teenagers’ actions.
The four teams have sent their application form and their proposed projects. Team A and B are supervised by Mr. Teguh Santoso (English teacher), team C by Mr. Hanky Purnama, and team D by Ms. Anna Mey Hasian Sinaga (Geography teacher). In mid-February 2009, the British Council Indonesia committee sent the email, informing the four teams of BPK PENABUR Bandung have been approved to continue their project until early June 2009. Since then, necessary steps have been taken, such as some briefing by the teachers, some data-collecting, an interview (and one coming interview with one of the British Council Indonesia partners above) as well as frequent text messaging (sms) to encourage each other about these wonderful efforts to help save and protect the mother earth, particularly from the global warming and the climate change.1

What have SMAK 1 BPK PENABUR Bandung teams done so far? You can click at http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/node/4941, in which on April 28, 2009, the four blogs/website have existed, namely:

Team A (Brigita, Erlangga, Hizkia, Michael)
http://teenforgreen.blogspot.com/

Team B (Andi, Ben, David and Stephen)
http://forest-mywaymyworld.blogspot.com/
English version
http://english-mywaymyworld.blogspot.com/

Team C (Osgar, Daniel, Merry and Johnny)
http://www.freshearth.webs.com/

Team D (Erlina, Queency, Rolamjaya, Stephanie)
http://paper-saver.blogspot.com

It is interesting to take a look at the contributions made by the four teams. For instance, team A defines what global warming is at http://teenforgreen.blogspot.com/2009/04/definisi-global-warming.html, and suggests the use of the biodegradable matter and avoid, among others, the overuse of plastic bottles, which can last for 70-450 years to be degraded! Wow! Therefore, minimize the use of plastic bottle and (supermarket) bag, and if possible, use the recyclable/ eco-friendly paper bag. Team A further explains about the use of air-conditioning (A.C.) substance, called freon. Some are hazardous to the ozone, some other types are eco-friendly. Click: http://teenforgreen.blogspot.com/2009/04/freon-ramah-lingkungan.html. Hopefully, they have got time after the pre-Final exam to hold some mini research on SMAK 1 students’ use of A.C. in both their house and cars.

Comic from team B, on the other hand, provides great illustration and articles, though it was started in May 2009, after long meditation. It’s a joke, of course. Please browse here: http://forest-mywaymyworld.blogspot.com/2009/05/update-comic.html. It supports the awareness of minimizing the leak of the planetary air. One wonderful thing is that at this team B’s posting of May 9, 2009, they took part of it from Scientific America May 2009, and provided the Indonesian translation for broader range of readers. An exclusive interview with Principal Ms. Boniwidiati Bunjamin revealed the school support for the paper saving as well as the electricity saving until the coming 1,000 tree plantation. See: http://forest-mywaymyworld.blogspot.com/2009/05/interview-with-smak-1-bpk-bandung.html. Team B even went further to elaborate the importance of the reefs to the global warming.

Team C tried to present some tips on helping to reduce the threat of global warming, such as some efficient use of paper, and electricity, a bit similar to those in team A, and suggests a come back of using a handkerchief, instead of spending tissues processed from trees. This way, more and more trees are not cut, and of course, become the earth’s giant lungs. In http://www.freshearth.webs.com/ there is a shocking figure, i.e. the leak pipe of water may spend 200 gallons of water a day at home.

Finally, team D attempted to create a polling of their own on how much paper one used. They also warned us of the threat to humanity as taken from a source http://www.austrianinformation.org/volume-59-julyaugust-2006/2006/9/15/climate-change-a-threat-to-humanity.html. It is such a relief that the teenagers, like those in team D, avoided plagiarism on the environmental article by quoting the source.

Well, June 7th is the end of the competition period. What can you do for those teams, readers? Why don’t you drop by their blogs, and website, and leave some supportive comments in them. Wish the SMAK 1 BPK PENABUR Bandung students to do their best, not for the sake of getting nominated for the top environmental projects, of course, but also for the noble purposes of saving our beloved land. Our Earth!

Teguh Santoso
A Year X (regular class)
Year 11 (accelerated class)
and Year XII CIP English teacher
SMAK 1 BPK PENABUR Bandung (2008/2009)
Blogs: http://sirteguh.blogspot.com

Being a webmaster ....

Hi, just a brief notice.
Please drop by 4 school websites I'm handling at:
1. SMPK 7 PENABUR Jakarta
http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/school/smpk7jkt
2. SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong
http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/school/smakgsjkt
3. SMAK 1 BPK PENABUR Bandung
http://www.bpkpenabur.or.id/en/school/smak1bdg
http://www.smak1bpkpenaburbandung.or.id

Some items of the updated news include:
a. teacher training for SMPK PENABUR Jakarta I helped to organize
with ITB and Parahyangan Univ. Bandung doctors/professors, May 25-29, 2009;
b. Singapore Mathematical Olympiad, June 2-3, 2009,
joined by 18 Indonesian students--9 of whom come from
SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong; and
c. International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) joined by 3 students
of BPK PENABUR Indonesia1 from Bandung and 2 from Jakarta.
d. Seminar on Bilingualism with a bilingual education expert,
Ms. Jan Edwards Dormer held by BPK PENABUR Bandung, June 9-10, 2009

Brilliant Class Year 10 exam (ESL) this morning

Hi, guys! What a relief, learning you were able to do the exam tasks in 2 hours this morning. Attached is the 2-page exam tasks, while the 1-page Jakarta Post article and the 5-page Asterix and Obelix comic (black and white) have been handed out. Enjoy! ;)

Next is the copied version of the exam document. My apology for the inconvenient format of the test due to the incapability of the blogs to have an attachment.

SMAK PENABUR Gading Serpong
Academic Year 2008/2009
1st SemesterBrilliant Class Year 10 FINAL EXAM
ENGLISH Language (ESL)
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 / 120 minutes

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. There should be an 8-page document, including the 5-page comic of Asterix and Obelix.
2. There are 5 tasks: 3 on writing, 2 on reading and vocabulary worth 30% of the total semester mark.
3. All the writing should be done on the other side of the first 2 pages. You may take home the comic.

WRITING
A. Complete the following FORMAL letter with an appropriate content and style. You are writing a letter to the Director of the Jakarta International School to arrange for a joint swimming competition for students. You should include the purposes, the possible date, your contact number/email, and a humble closing paragraph (20 points).

Kelapa Gading Barat Raya Rd.
Tangerang, Banten

……………., ………………………………. (1 point)

………………………………………………
…………………………………………….. (2 points)

Dear ………………………………….., (1 point)

My name is ………………………………………,
a student of ……………………………………………… (1 point)
Through your website http://www.jisedu.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta_International_School,
I read about the swimming lesson and facilities and wonder if …………………………………………………………………… (2 points)

To us, swimming has at least two purposes. First, ……………
…………………………………………………………………………………… (2 points)
…………., we love swimming because ………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………… (2 points)


Therefore, we wonder if we …………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………… (2 points)
I could be reached at …………………………………………………… (2 points)


…………………………………………………………………………………… (2 points)
and we are looking forward to ……………………………………… (1 point)


……………… Yours, (1 point)

…………………………………. (1 point)


B. On the other side of the paper, write around 100-word experience
of EITHER ONE of these 2 topics:
1. My Last Easter Holidays
2. One Unforgettable Evening in My Class
(10 points)


C. ERROR ANALYSIS (10 points)
Correct the italicized word(s) based on its grammatical errors.
CORRECTION
1. I would like to join pet community because I could meet
other people who loves animals. ……………….
2. And on May, I will follow the final test and will graduate in June. ………………
3. We went to the nearest lake every week and to the sea once a month. ………………
4. I am so interested to reading your “magic home stay” advertisement. ………………

5. Yesterday I was read your advertisement
on the flyer for searching talented swimmers. ………………
6. I could improve my skill on swimming. ………………
7. US official believed that the intruder appear
to have originated from China. ………………
8. This inspiring story tell us ………………
about 12-years-old boys ………………
who saved his father live. ………………

READING and VOCABULARY
A. Reading and Vocabulary
1. Complete the text below by writing the vocabulary in the list into the blanks. (10 points)
A synonym/definition of the vocabulary is supplied in the parentheses behind each blank.
Each vocabulary can be used only ONCE.

NOUN VERB ADJECTIVE
Spotlight Revive Passionate
Hostility Achieve Partial
Precedent Encourage Innovative
Mediation

Indonesia and Singapore were reported to have a high ……………………… (=enmity) over the Batam island. The news has caused a ……………………… (=incomplete) diplomatic disturbance, and become a(n) ……………………… (=glare) on TV and websites. It ……………………… (=brought back) the memories of some conflicts on a different island before.
Some people are so ……………………… (=obsessive) about it, so the rumour has topped in most Indonesian media. Even a billionaire has offered a(n) ……………………… (=negotiation) because of the interest in his import-export business. He has failed to ……………………… (=reach) his efforts as the news turned out to be a hoax! False information. It was created to find out about people’s opinion on the two countries’ international relations. Do you think it was a(n) ……………………… (=creative) way, or a destructive ……………………… (=example)?


2. Read the attached article of “American Space Tourist Buys Return Ticket to Orbit” (page 3) partly taken from:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/03/24/american-space-tourist-buys-return-ticket-orbit.html until the sentence "... He will return to Earth on April 7 in a Soyuz capsule."

Answer the questions below. (20 points)
1. Who was the American space tourist in the title?
2. What is his profession?
3. How many times has that person travelled to outer space?
4. How much has he paid for the two space vacations altogether ?
5. Has he become the oldest person to fly in space? Explain.

6. Why won’t Russia receive any space tourist starting in 2010?
7. What date did Simony go to the outer space for the 1st time?
8. What date will Simonyi go to the outer space again?
9. How old was Simony at his first outer space travel?
10. Why did Simony take only half the training period on his 2nd travel?


B. READING (30 points)
*Read the 5-page comic of Asterix and Obelix.
Retell the partial story in around 100 words on the other side of the paper. Do not copy the dialogue, please.

END of EXAM

= = = = =
*The 5-page comic in the exam here is the continuation of the previous 5-page comic task, as can be seen here at:
http://sirteguh.blogspot.com/2009/05/year-10-comics-summary-asterix-and.html
Also see my comments and correction in the last two postings 2 days before this exam was conducted.

Year 10: Comics summary (Asterix and Obelix: The Legionary)

For Year 10, please post yesterday's 1-hour assignment of summarizing comics, an Asterix and Obelix series, titled "The Legionary", pp. 4-13 into around 200 words.

Grading criteria:
1. Plots
2. Language use: grammar, spelling
3. Originality--hardly any copy of the text in the dialogue boxes
4. Extra images (from google/ website) no more than 2, please,
add a special point.

Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2009.