Green Beauty

TUGAS AKUN C & D

2009-03-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

ASSIGNMENT FOR AKUN C AND D
Describing People

1. Are your answers correct?
Dear ……………….,
My name’s ---------------. I’m ------- (age). I’m from ------------ (your hometown)
I’m student at --------------(your school now). I’m in class --------------(what class).
My father’s name is ----------------------- He’s …………….. (how old).
My mother’s name is ------------------- She’s ---------------- (how old)
I’ve got ------------ (how many brothers and sisters). Their names are ----------
I’m interested in (a. Computers b. horse-riding and books; c. music and films)
but I’m not interested in (a. Computers or films; b. animals or computers; c. sport, films or computers). I’m good at (a. art and school works; b. music and art; c. music and sports.) In my bedroom, I’ve got (a photograph of my horse; b. a television and a video; c. a computer). I’ve also got (a. two tennis rackets; b. an easel and lots of books; c. a poster of a kangaroo).

Please write soon. Best wishes,
Christopher

2. Can you answer these questions?
1. What’s her surname?
2. How old is she?
3. Where’s she from?
4. What’s the name of her school?
5. What class is she in?
6. What’s her father’s name?
7. How old is she?
8. What’s her mother’s name?
9. How old is she?
10. How many brothers and sisters has she got?
11. What are their names?
12. What’s she interested in?
13. What isn’t she interested in?
14. What’s she good at?
15. What’s she got in her bedroom?

Reading:
Wilma Rudolf
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Wilma Rudolf was born in Clarksville,Tennessee,in 1940. There were twenty-two children in her family. Wilma was not a strong child. When she was very young, she got a disease called polio. Wilma’s leg began to have problems. Wilma’s family loved and helped her. Her mother and her sisters massaged her bad leg. The doctor put a brace on her leg for six years. One lucky day when she was twelve, the doctor took off the brace.
At high school Wilma started on run. Soon she won every race she ran. At age fifteen she prepared for the national races. She won all nine of the races. The next year, 1956, Wilma was in the Olympic games in Australia. Wilma came back with a bronze medal.
In 1960 Wilma went to the Olympic games in Italy. The weather was very hot just as it was in Tennessee. The Italians cheered her, Wilma won the 100 meter, 200 meter, and the 400 meter relay. Wilma Rudolf was the first American woman to win three Olympic gold medals.
In 1963 Wilma got her degree in education. That year she married her high school sweetheart, and have four children.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

3. COMPREHENSION
A. Looking for the Main Ideas
Circle the letter of the correct answer.
1. When she was young, Wilma had problems with her ____________
a. doctor
b. mother
c. leg
2. At high School Wilma _________________________
a. started to run and won every race
b. started to run with a brace
c. ran for Australia
3. In the Olympic games of 1960, Wilma _______________________
a. won a bronze medal
b. won three gold medal
c. won because she was a woman

B. Looking for Details
Circle T if the sentence is true. Circle F if the sentence is false.

1. Wilma was a strong child. T F
2. Wilma had a brace on her leg for twelve years. T F
3. When she was fifteen, she ran for the national races. T F
4. In 1956 the Olympic games were in Italy. T F
5. Wilma won three gold medals in 1960. T F
6. Wilma got married in 1963. T F
(source: WIT, p.128)

Indonesian General Election 2009: Bumbu-bumbu Perjalanan Pertama

2008-12-18T23:56:00.000-08:00

Begitu masuk dalam data DCS (Daftar Calon Sementara) Pemilu 2009, saya langsung mencari aturan-aturan yang berkaitan dengan pemilu dan .... ketemulah UU Pemilu No. 10 th. 2008.
Dalam UUtersebut disampaikan bahwa untuk menjadi anggota dewan, minimal harus mendapat suara lebih dari 30% untuk suara satu kursi, jadi jumlahnya secara kasar tanpa dipotong oleh golput 30% X 250.000 = 75 000 orang.

Waw, bagaimana mencari suara sebanyak itu bagi orang yang betul-betul baru masuk dunia politik! Baru niii yee ,,,,? Jadi 'objektive'-ku adalah mencari suara sebanyak 75 ribu orang, hayoo gimana. Untuk mendapatkan jumlah suara tersebut diperlukan suatu strategy yang mantap.

Sebagai pendatang baru, saya langsung mencari informasi, tanya sana tanya sini, eeeh kebetulan ada tetangga yang sudah lama berkecimpung di bidang politik, sebut saja Mr. X. Beliau menyarankan untuk mencari relawan, he he saya tersenyum .... 'relawan niiii yee', kaya menolong orang musibah Tsunami aja. Kemudian beliau memberikan rekomendasi untuk minta bantuan tetangganya yang punya kenalan di Garut Selatan dan sudah biasa berkecimpung dengan dunia relawan atau tim sukses, sebut saja tetangga teman saya itu Mr. Y.

Berangkatlah kami ke Bungbulang, sebuah kecamatan di Garut Selatan, dan betul saja istri Mr. Y punya keluarga dekat, sebut saja Apih. Apih punya tangan kanan yang membantu beliau dalam hal mencari massa, sebut saja, Mr. Z, yang kebetulan saat itu sedang sibuk-sibuknya menggalang masa untuk pilihan bupati Garut.

Hasilnya, sebelum pulang ke Bandung, kami dibekali data-data kecamatan se-kabupaten Garut dan data pemilih Dapil V Garut, mencakup Garut Selatan termasuk Bungbulang. Selain itu, ditentukan pertemuan di kota Garut dengan keluarga beliau sebagai tokoh atau pusat pengendalian pengumpulan suara dan kebetulan beliau itu salah satu pimpinan organisasi kehutanan.

Berkembang nih yeee, pertemuan di Garut cukup menyenangkan, kami diterima dengan baik, biarpun untuk makan siang ini biayanya dari saya. Begitu juga untuk ongkos pulang ke Bungbulang. Di rumah beliau kami bertemu dengan calon anggota dewan dari partai lain dan membicarakan strategy apa yang akan dilaksanakan pada waktunya nanti.

Perjalan ini cukup bagus, dan ternyata tidak mudah untuk menembus para relawan, modal dan kemampuan berkomunikasi diperlukan, yang akhirnya kalau melihat ke lapangan tertentu, ada slogan, ada uang ada barang, anda kasih uang saya kasih suara ????? Apa betul??? wah, mengerikan juga yah mau meniti karir di dunia politik, mau bener-bener saja bekerja untuk mereka, sudah dituntut yang aneh-aneh, apakah hal 'ini' sudah merupakan budaya bangsa, kalau memang telah menjadi kebiasaan konstituent bahwa suara harus dibeli, ini sudah keterlaluan karena money politik kan tidak boleh, karena azas keadilan, kebenaran dan kejujuran sudah ditinggalkan.

Tugas para dewan dan pemerintahlah yang perlu membenahi masyarakat ini dan jelas disini diperlukan aturan main yang jelas dan penegakkan hukum yang konsekwen, sehingga kompetisi menjadi anggota legislatif benar-benar murni dan mewakili konstituennya.

Jangan sampai anggota Dewan tidak mewakili rakyatnya, dan kemudaian berakhir di terali besi karena korupsi uang rakyat. Menurut pandangan dan hati nurani saya, kalau pemerintah tidak tegas untuk menindak penyimpangan2 ini, maka negara kita hanyalah sebuah negara yang diperintah oleh duit dan kekuasaan semu, tidak mewakili rakyatnya dan tidak berjuang untuk meningkatkan harkat dan martabat bangsa, at least konsituent yang memilihnya.

Jadi, ..... penegakan hukum dan menjunjung tinggi Supremasi hukumlah akhirnya yang dapat meluruskan yang belot-belot, namun tanpa ketegasan dan konstan, itupun kurang berarti. Untuk masalah keamanan ini sebaiknya kita lihat negara tetangga terdekat, yang memiliki tingkat kriminalitas terkecil, ok boss,,,,,............... Bagaimana rakyatnya kesal karena denda .. denda .... dan denda oleh pemerintahnya setiap hari. Karena konstan dan terus menerus, akhirnya berhasil ..... Singapura menjadi negara yang paling sedikit tingkat kriminalitasnya.

Demi negara, kita tegakkan supremasi hukum, sadarlah bangsaku, sadarlah temanku, kita bangun negara kita, negara supremasi hukum yang kuat. Merdeka!!!

Indonesian General Election 2009

2008-12-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

Long ago before I was interested in politic, I was wondering why some parlement members quarelled in parlementary session. Lately, I found out some of them corrupted people money, and they were called curroptors. My questions now are;

Why are they becoming curroptors?
Have they conducted their duties to strugle for people's concerns?

Two months ago I was going the regence of Garut, exactly Soutern Garut mountains. A lot of woods were cut off, and the mountains do not have trees, consequently, District of Cisewu have landslide, water eroded the soil, also in District of Singajaya.

For sure, if the mountains in Southern Garut were distroyed, the world will have more and more global warming, especially in Southern Garut. So, those who care for forest safety, I need your help to see and plant trees as many as possible. Not only for Indonesian people but also world citizens should be aware and take care of their own forests.

My journey to Soutern Garut, as a matter of fact, it was related with my first experience as a legislative candidate of Western Java Province. My mind was back to July 2008 when I was hospitalized at Boromeus Hospital Bandung-Indonesia. My friend offered me whether I would try to compete in Indonesian General Election 2009. And I said, 'yes'.

One of my reasons why I did not refuse when my friend asked me to register for next general election, 2009-2014 General Election is that the above reasons; parlement curroptors, and forest abuse. Many other reasons came to me, especially about people welfare in Southern Garut. Some districts have no electricity, and the government has not had any concerns at all, according to the villagers. Moreover, infrastructure is not very good, how they could bring their own product to city for sales, if it takes too long, and their product is rotten on the way.

All of these need every body's concerns not only our government, also others as long as their own government is still developing. It is not good for world citizens if the world is not balanced between advanced and developing countries, especially concerning mountains, soils, and waters. So. lets build world's peace, pay respect for each other, and spread out our true love.

S.O.S FOR SOUTHERN GARUT, RECENTLY THE REGENT OF GARUT WAS IN JAIL BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION.

Management in Practice

2008-07-16T02:38:00.000-07:00

Prinsip manajemen yang efektif tak pernah berubah: manajer perlu mengetahui apa yang akan dikerjakan, belajar bagaimana mengerjakannya, dan kemudian — kerjakan! Ketiga langkah di atas pada awalnya dikemukakan oleh guru manajemen, Peter Drucker, dan yang terakhir adalah kerjakanlah, dan inilah yang menimbulkan berbagai masalah. Kenapa demikian?

“Mengerjakan” saja tidaklah cukup; anda harus beritikad untuk merubah pengetahuan-yakni “what” dan “how” - ke dalam kegiatan atau praktek sehingga berhasil.

Pada zaman sekarang tidak ada alasan lagi untuk tidak memiliki pengetahuan dan ‘know-how’ dalam mencapai hasil yang paling memungkinkan. Setiap aspek manajemen telah dikaji untuk menemukan tehnik-tehnik yang lebih baik yang mudah dikuasai, mudah diaplikasikan dan mudah untuk diajarkan dan dipelajari. Sebagai contoh komunikasi. Kita tahu pentingnya dan nilai dari komunikasi non-verbal dan kontibusinya ‘listening’ untuk keberhasilan berkomunikasi- mendengar perkataan orang lain, bukan perkataan anda sendiri.

Area lain adalah memahami bagaimana dan mengapa memotivasi orang itu penting sekali. Kita tahu bahwa keterlibatan dan delegasi adalah kunci dari motivasi. Contohnya, kita memahami bahwa cara terbaik untuk mengambil keputusan adalah melibatkan setiap orang yang dipengaruhi oleh keputusan tadi dalam proses pembuatan keputusan. Kita tahu juga bahwa implementasi yang efektif dari suatu keputusan tergantung pada kualitas delegasi dan teamwork tepat ‘down the line’. Kepemimpinan yang sukses ketika mendelegasikan dan me’manage’ team menuntut ‘trust’ di kedua belah pihak- dan peran memimpin dapat berbagi diantara anggota team. Disini ada sebuah thema tunggal mempersatukan semua area manajemen. Thema tersebut adalah ‘people’.

“A successful outcome is always dependent on getting the best from the men and women with whom you work.” Begitu kata Robert Heller & Tim Hindle (2008;9-10)

2008-07-16T02:32:00.001-07:00

Penderitaan Sang Ibu,

Ketika nafas tersenggal-senggal, tetangga berkumpul dan sebagian berkata,”Neng! Ikhlaskan dan pasrah kepada Pemilik kita, tentang anak-anak jangan dipikirkan”. Anggukan lemah menjawab pertanyaan para tetangga. Sebagian sedih melihat apa yang sedang dihadapi seseorang yang sedang berjuang menghadapi maut. Perut tertarik kedalam, napas kuat keluar menyembur dari mulut dan hidungnya. Tiada kata yang terungkap, setetes airpun untuk menghilangkan panas dan haus tidak dapat masuk pula.

Anak-anak menangis, tetangga menangis, setiap orang yang melihat menangis! Mengapa terjadi pergulatan dalam menghadapi maut, mengapa tidak terlihat senyum, bukan menahan rasa sakit yang terhingga. Mata melotot keluar, napas tersenggal-senggal, terjadi mulai adzan maghrib dan si Eneng baru menghadap ke hariban Illahi pada pagi hari. Tidakkah ini merupakan suatu perjalanan hidup???

Kembali ke delapan belas tahun yang silam, ketika si Eneng dalam pelukan seorang lelaki ganteng dari sebuah provinsi baru di Indonesia ini. Kasih sayang berdua dan saling berikrar janji untuk sehidup semati. Malang terjadi di perjalanan si Eneng dimadu oleh si Tampan. Sang Ayah tidak tega melihat hal tersebut biarpun si Eneng sangat mencintainya, namun si Ayah dengan kekuasaannya memaksa si Tampan untuk tidak lagi bersama sang Isteri, tega nian….. Dua anak dibawa si Eneng dan si Ayah dengan bangga dapat mengambil anak dan cucu-cucunya.

Sebagai seorang pejabat, mempunyai kekuasaan baik di rumah maupun di kantor, tetapi kadang-kadang lupa bahwa jiwa seseorang tidak dapat dikuasai oleh siapapun kecuali oleh Sang Khalik. Sang Ayah meninggal duluan dalam keadaan papa ditemukan tergolek tidak berdaya setelah pension dan tinggal di suatu kampung, terusir dari teman, saudara dan tetangga dimana dia pernah berkuasa di kota metropolitan.

Dengan dua anak bersama dan hidup dengan biaya orang tua dari pensiunan, tidak cukup untuk memenuhi kebutuhan keluarga. Ibu si Eneng telah berpulang ke rahmatullah lebih dulua dari sang Ayah. Hari demi hari mempertahankan hidup untuk keluarga, berjuang tanpa memiliki bekal pengetahuan dan kemampuan kerja. Pindah dari satu rumah ke rumah lain sebagai pembantu. Oooh, nasib membawa puluhan sampai ratusan kilo kadang-kadang berjalan tidur di trotoar atau di terminal. Dan, …….. tidak berhasil malah pulang diantar dengan membawa penyakit tbc akut dan tidak ada harapan lagi.

Pengetahuan, Ketrampilan dan Perilaku merupakan satu kesatuan yang perlu dimiliki setiap individu untuk bertahan hidup di suatu negara yang belum mapan dan belum menaungi si miskin. Berapa banyak korban hidup akibat belum adanya perlindungan pemerintah kepada si miskin dan berapa banyak korban ketidakmampuan memiliki SKA (skill, knowledge, dan Attitude).

Pesan dari hati-nurani yang paling dalam, kepada yang mengetahui makna hidup, lebih seringlah berjalan di muka bumi untuk menemukan si Eneng-si Eneng dan keluarganya tadi, bagi pemerintah tingkatkanlah bangsa ini dengan SKA yang sejajar dengan bangsa lain. Keserakahan tidak ada artinya, bila secara makro bangsa ini miskin, tak berdaya, tidak tegak dan tegas menjalankan peraturan untuk melindungi bangsanya.

Kampung Akherat lebih bermakna dan indah dari pada kehidupan di muka bumi. Namun, syarat keindahan tersebut tergantung membentuk suatu kampung bumi yang indah.

structure and written expression

2008-07-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Sentence Completion

You must choose the word or phrase that correctly completes the sentence.

1. Subject or Noun Phrase

A single subject or a short noun phrase is the testing point in this category. The noun might be the main subject of the sentence, a part of a clause, or an appositive (a phrase that names the noun in another way). This category also includes the words it and there when they are nonreferential subjects.)

EXAMPLE:

__________new diseases has engaged many researchers since the last decade.

(A) By studying

(B) The study of

(D) Now that the study

2. Word Order

In this category the answer choices contain all or almost all of the right words, but three of the answers give the words in the wrong order.

EXAMPLE:

Hot springs are formed when water that has passed near recently formed hot igneous rocks emerges ___________

(A) not far below the surface

(B) the surface not far below

(D) not far the surface below

3. Subject + Verb

Both the subject and the verb are in the answer choices. The subject and verb might be the main subject and verb of the sentence, or they might be in a subordinate clause. Sometimes the verb and subject are reversed for emphasis. (See lesson 15 for examples of this.)

EXAMPLE:

In 1750 B.C. ___________the most famous collection of early laws.

(A) then Hammurabi wrote

(B) Hammurabi wrote

(D) Hammurabi, who wrote

4. Verb or Verb Phrase

The focus is on the verb. The specific testing point might be verb tense, verb agreement, or passive voice. You often have to decide whether the sentence needs a single verb or part of a clause.

EXAMPLE:

In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence _________, the United States became a new country.

(A) signed

(B) that signed

(D) that is signed

5. Adjective/Adjective Phrase/Adjective Clause

The answer is either a single adjective or an adjective that is part of a clause or phrase. This category includes relative pronouns, relative clauses, and adjective participles. The answer often answers the question what kind of?

EXAMPLE:

Like many other men ___________ president, Benjamin Horrison was first a practicing lawyer.

(A) who they run for

(B) they run for

(D) run for

6. Conjunction

This category includes conjunctions such as and, both, either, or, neither, nor, but, and for. It also includes other connective words, such as because, in order to, so that, and however.

EXAMPLE:

______________nor animals can survive without oxygen.

(A) Plants can neither

(B) Neither can plants

(D) Neither plants

7. Parallel Construction

Words are given in a series. They must all be the same part of speech. Often, a comma separates the words or phrases.

EXAMPLE:

Sleeping, resting, __________ are the best ways to care for a cold.

(A) and that drinking fluids

(B) and drinking fluids

(D) and one drinks fluids

8. Adverb/Adverbial Phrase/Adverbial Clause

The answer is either a single adverb or an adverb that is part of a phrase or clause. This category also includes relative adverbs and adverbial participles. The words often answer the question how, when, where, or why.

EXAMPLES:

A ray swims rapidly ___________broad winglike appendages.

(A) by flapping its

(B) its flapping

(D) the flap

____________very hungry, he bought a hamburger.

(A) Feeling

(B) Feel

(D) To feel

9. Comparison

EXAMPLE:

The greater ______________increase in population, the harder it is for people to find adequate housing.

(A) of

(B) is the

(D) is of the

10. Infinitive/Gerund

The main testing point is between an infinitive (a verb phrase beginning with the word to) and a gerund (a verb used as a noun, ending in –ing)

EXAMPLE:

Impressionist artists tended ___________ imagination and light more important than faithful reproduction of objects.

(A) considering

(B) be consider

(D) to consider

11. Preposition/Prepositional Phrase

The answer is either a single preposition or a preposition in a phrase. You must choose the correct form of the preposition or the correct form of the noun following the preposition.

EXAMPLE:

Excessive absenteeism results ___________problems for the schools.

(A) in

(B) with

(D) to

12. Superlative

EXAMPLE:

Of all the national parks in the United States, Yellowstone is _________visited.

(A) one of the most

(B) most

(D) the most one

13. Negative Words

The main testing point is often the difference among no, not, none, nothing, or nobody.

EXAMPLE:

____________two fingerprints are identical.

(A) Nor

(B) No

(D) Not

14. Conditional

The conditional might begin with the word if or a phrase like ………had it not been for.

EXAMPLE:

_________the ozone layer were destroyed, most living things would disappear from the Earth in a few years.

(A) Besides

(B) If

(D) For

15. Pronoun

You must choose the correct pronoun from among other pronouns. Sometimes the pronouns are in short phrases.

EXAMPLE:

Ducks have webbed feet that enable ___________ swim fast, even in strong currents.

(A) they

(B) its

(D) them to

EXERCISES

1. It’s not easy for casual observer to distinguish . genuine paintings and copies.

(A) between

(B) therefore

(D) to

2. , all matter is formed of molecules.

(A) It doesn’t matter if the complex

(B) No matter how complex

(D) It’s not a complex matter

3. After World War I, automobiles, buses, trucks became the most common .

(A) of transportation

(B) transport form

(D) transportation of form

4. Tears anger and tensions naturally.

(A) are relieved

(B) relieving

(D) what they relieve

5. In a single day are as many as thousands of people involved in business deals in one area.

(A) yet

(B) they

(D) there

6. Paper from cellulose fibers.

(A) is produced

(B) producing

(D) which is produced

7. an insurance agent it is necessary to pass the state examination.

(A) Become

(B) To became

(D) One becomes

8. There are art galleries in the city of Carmel

(A) a great deal

(B) many

(D) lots

9. One difficulty at night is limited vision

(A) to drive

(B) will drive

(D) be driven

10. the Pulitzer Prize in 1924

(A) Edna Ferber won

(B) When Edna Ferber won

(D) Edna Ferber’s winning

11. All of the world carry on breeding experiments to increase yield or to improve disease resistance.

(A) countries that grow wheat

(B) growth of wheat countries

(D) countries where wheat is grown

12. Throughout the United States fast food restaurants where hamburgers are served.

(A) there are

(B) there is

(D) are there

13. The human body contains water , bones, and muscles.

(A) is blood

(B) in its blood

(D) it is in its blood

14. covered by the sea, which occupies 71 percent of the earth.

(A) A huge unknown world is

(B) An huge the unknown world

(D) So huge is the unknown world

15. In his painting “The Three Musicians” Picasso reached a climax in his use geometric forms.

(A) to

(B) of

(D) with

writing skill

2008-06-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

WRITING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

One of students’ problems in universities is writing. Writing subject is frequently given in semester two and the students have no writing exposure to perform writing skill.

The main content of writing is a paragraph. A paragraph is a part of a passage and has several sentences. Accordingly, studying a paragraph is very important to develop an essay or passage. Below is how a paragraph is organized. (Quoted from Academic Writing)

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing in which a group of related sentences develops one main idea. A paragraph can be as short as one sentence or as long as ten sentences. The number of sentences is unimportant; however, the paragraph should be long enough to develop the main idea clearly.

The following model contains all of the elements of a good paragraph. It is good for practice, the paragraph is about Gold. The gold as the subject is put first. Controlling idea as a part of topic sentence should express what is the subject of the sentence which is called controlling idea. This controlling idea will be described in supporting sentence(s). Below the topic sentence has two supporting sentences and one conclusion.

Model 1: paragraph structure

Gold

Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion*. Therefore, it is suitable for jewelry, coins and ornament purposes. Gold never needs to be polished and will remain beautiful forever. For example, a Macedonian* coin remains as untarnished* today as the day it was minted twenty-three centuries ago. Another important characteristic of gold is usefulness to industry and science. For many years, it has been used in hundred of industrial application. The most recent use of gold is in astronauts’ suits. Astronauts wear gold-plated heat shields for protection outside the space ship. In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its beauty, but also for its utility.

THE THREE PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH

A paragraph has three major structural parts: topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.

The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It is not only names the topic of the paragraph, but it also limits the topic to one or two areas that can be discussed completely in the space of a single paragraph. The specific area is called controlling area. Notice how the topic sentence of the model states both the topic and the controlling area.

RUNNING FORMAL MEETING

2008-06-26T23:00:00.001-07:00

How to Run a Formal Meeting

As your small business grows so will the size of your company meetings. Informal get-togethers can be effective, but when time is tight and projects are complex, more order is necessary. Working with corporate clients may also require you to lead a formal meeting.

Step 1: Set objectives

A clear objective will encourage people to attend the meeting because they will understand its intent. It also will set the foundation for a focused meeting.

Meetings usually have one of two objectives - to inform or to decide. "Discussion" is not a meeting objective. For example, "to determine the market positioning for Series 2000 trade advertising" is an effective objective. It is focused and clearly announces the aim of the meeting. "To discuss Series 2000 marketing" sounds aimless and could invite rambling instead of action.

Step 2: Assemble attendees

Create a list of who needs to attend this meeting. Think carefully about whether or not someone needs to be in the room for the duration of the meeting (perhaps they can join you via conference call, or for one specific topic). Remember, if you waste someone's time, he or she will be less likely to attend and participate in the next meeting you run.

Be definitive when you invite people to a meeting. You must be courteous of people's schedules, but you will have an easier time scheduling a meeting if you say "Please plan to attend and if you cannot make it let me know." Always let people know the objective of the meeting, the time it will begin and the time it will end. Also, stress that it will begin on time.

Step 3: Create an agenda

An agenda is a list of the key items to review in order to meet your objective. It can be something you use for yourself or hand out at the meeting. The upside of handing out an agenda is that it provides a script for people to follow. The downside is that it may distract your attendees; it could tempt them to jump to issues you're not ready to cover. For example, if the fifth bullet down is engineering, the engineers in the room may want to jump right to that. If you need to resolve other issues first you may want to keep the agenda to yourself. If you are running a status meeting you can use your project timeline as your agenda.

If you decide to hand out an agenda, be sure to state the objective and date at the top of the page. All points should be bulleted. Everyone in the meeting should receive one, so be sure to make more than enough copies.

Step 4: Maintain control

Once the meeting has begun, it is your responsibility to keep it moving and keep it focused. Here are some tips for accomplishing this:

Start on time, even if people are late. If you wait until the last person arrives, you train people to be late.
Briefly state what the meeting is about.
If you have passed out an agenda, be sure everyone follows it so that you accomplish your objectives.
If discussion drags on a topic and a decision is not being made, it is your job to interject and say something like, "For the sake of the timeline of the project, we need to make a decision."
If it is apparent that something cannot be resolved, determine what will be necessary to resolve it in the future and add it to the project timeline.
Crowd control: You have to be firm if the group gets off track and suggest that the matter be discussed at another time.
Schedule the next meeting at the end of the current one.
If you called the meeting, you are responsible for taking notes or appointing someone to take notes.

Step 5: Follow up

Once the meeting has ended, you still have work to do.

Put together and distribute an internal memo summarizing what was covered, what was resolved, and what actions need to be taken for issues requiring further clarification. This should come straight from the meeting notes. Don't make this memo long -- a handful of bullet points should do the trick.

Make sure to thank people for attending and participating. They will be happy to know their time was appreciated.

Update your timeline to cover progress reported at the meeting. In your update, make sure to include the date of the next meeting, along with what needs to be accomplished by then.

Distribute the revised timeline.

INFORMAL MEETING-1ST EXERCISE

2008-06-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Studying English needs informal and formal language. But, how to use it you need to practice and learn at least 5 words a day. Below these 5 idiom words could be your first idiom to practice, see you in the class. The exercise below for my students at Institute of Telkom Management.

Informal Meeting

Mimi: English confuses me. I don’t understand it.

Sam: I get mixed up, too.

Mimi: Mixed up? I mix up flour and eggs to make a cake. You don’t look like an egg to me.

Sam: Of course, I don’t. It’s not flour and eggs; it’s my ideas that are mixed up.

Mimi: To get mixed up is an idiom, isn’t it?

Sam: Right! You knew what its words meant separately, but you didn’t know what they meant joined together. That’s why idioms are difficult at first. Later they’ll become easy.

Mimi: If I study them, they’ll become easy, isn’t that what you mean?

Sam: If you do your best, you’ll succeed.

Mimi: And I’ll have gray hairs ahead of time.

Exercise 1

Maria and Helena study hard. They -- ----- ---- to learn English. That’s why they like to finish their reading early and prepare their lesson ----- -- ----. -- ------, they are doing well in English.

But sometimes Maria and Helena become nervous during a test and --- ----- --. They write all the wrong answers -- -----. Afterwards they correct their mistakes.

Exercise 2

Bill tries really hard to please his wife.
In the beginning, I didn’t understand it.
My English class began ten minutes early today.
Naturally, I like to eat ice cream.
Sam becomes confused when he doesn’t read directions.

Exercise 3

Unlike Maria and Helena, John didn’t study hard. He didn’t ………………… to learn English. He even hated to finish his homework early, so he never prepared his lessons……………….., he was failing English.

In class John seldom knew the answers to his teacher’s questions. He almost always …………… She accepted his excuses……………………, but now she no longer believes him.

Exercise 4

I wanted to arrive at the movies ………….. or, at the latest from the start of the film. But my boyfriend ……………… in his directions and we took the wrong road. Later he admitted it was his own fault, but …………………….. he blamed me. I ………. To remain calm. …………………………, we arrived late.

Exercise 5

I tried really hard to learn English when ……
Naturally, American children like to ……..
John became confused on his test because …………..
If you finish your work early, you can..
In the beginning, did he believe ……?

Reading reading reading reading and reading

2008-06-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

Reading could open the world, broaden our mind, and share with others. For my students who are used to reading, I would say 'good luck', you belong to professionals, so we could keep up with other citizens of other countries. For those who have no time yet, focus-focus-focus-focus-focus, spare your time just 15 minutes for the first time to read.

Anyway, below is your TOEFL reading lesson I got from our friends at Training Center ITS Surabaya- thanks friend-good luck ITS, and I would ask you to submit the answers.

READING COMPREHENSION

STRATEGIES FOR THE READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. Skim the reading passage to determine the main idea and the overall organization of ideas in the passage. You do not need to understand every detail in each passage to answer the questions correctly. It is therefore a waste of time to read the passage with intent of understanding every single detail before you try to answer the question

2. Look ahead at the questions to determine what types of questions you must answer. Each type of question is answered in a different way.

3. Find the section of the passage that deals with each question. The question-type tells you exactly where to look in the passage to find correct answers.

Ø For main idea questions, look at the first line of each paragraph.

Ø For directly and indirectly answered detail questions, choose a key word in the question, and skim for that key word (or a related idea) in order in the passage.

Ø For vocabulary questions, the question will tell you where the word is located in the passage

Ø For where questions, the answers are found anywhere in passage.

4. Read the part of the passage that contains the answer carefully. The answer will probably be in the same sentence (or one sentence before or after) the key word or idea

5. Choose the best answer to each question from the four answer choices listed in your test book. You can choose the best answer according to what is given in the appropriate section of the passage, eliminate definitely wrong answers, and mark your best guess on the answer sheet

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about main idea question.

MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS

HOW TO IDENTIFY

THEQUESTION

Ø What is the topic of the passage?

Ø What is the subject of the passage?

Ø What is the main idea of the passage?

Ø What is the author’s main point in the passage?

Ø With what is the author primarily concerned?

Ø Which of the following would be the best title?

WHERE TO FIND

THE ANSWER

The answer to this type of question can generally be determined by looking at the first sentence of each paragraph.

HOW TO ANSWER

THE QUESTION

1. Read the first line of each paragraph.

2. Look for a common theme or idea in the first lines.

3. Pass your eyes quickly over the rest of the passage to check that you really have found the topic sentence(s).

4. Eliminate any definitely wrong answers and choose the best answer from the remaining choices.

EXERCISES

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-2)

Most of the ice on the Earth, close to 90 percent of it, is covering the surface of the continent Antarctica. It does not snow very much in Antarctica, but whatever snow does fall remains and grows deeper and deeper. In some areas of Antarctica, the ice has perhaps been around for as much as a million years and now is more than two miles deep.

1. The main idea of the passage is that

(A) the Earth is a cold planet

(B) most of the Earth’s ice is found in Antarctica

(D) Antarctica is only two miles wide but is 90 percent ice

4. The best title for the passage is

(A) Snowfall in Antarctica

(B) The Icy Earth

(D) The Causes of Antarctica’s Ice Pack

PASSAGE TWO (Questions 3-4)

Line

(5)

The extremely hot and humid weather that occurs in the United States in July and August is commonly called the “dogs days” of summer. This name comes from the star Sirius, which is known as the Dog Star. Sirius is the brightest visible star, and in the hot summer months it rises in the east at approximately the same time as the Sun. As ancient people saw this star rising with the Sun when the weather was at its hottest, they believed that Sirius was the cause of the additional heat; they believed that this bright star added its heat to the heat of the Sun, and these two together made summer weather so unbearably hot.

3. The topic of this passage is

(A) how dogs like to play during the summer

(B) the causes of hot and humid weather

(D) the days that dogs prefer

4. The main idea of this passage is that

(A) the name for the summer days came from Sirius, the Dog Star

(B) dogs generally prefer hot summer days

(D) Sirius rises at almost the same time as the Sun during the summer months

PASSAGE THREE (Questions 5-6)

Line

(5)

(10)

The term “primitive art” has been used in a variety of ways to describe works and styles of art. One way that this term has been used is to describe the early period within the development of a certain style of art. Another way that this term has been used is to describe artists who have received little professional training and who demonstrate a nontraditional naiveté in their work.

A wonderful example of this second type of primitive artist is Grandma Moses, who spent all her life living on a farm and working at tasks normally associated with farm life.

She did not begin painting until she reached the age of seventy-six, when she switched to painting from embroidery because the arthritis in her hands made embroidery too difficult. Totally without formal education in art, she began creating panoramic images of everyday life on the farm that have achieved international fame

5. The subject of this passage is

(A) an example of one of the types of primitive art

(B) Grandma Moses’s life on the farm

(D) Grandma Moses’s primitive life-style

6. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) Grandma Moses spent her life on a farm

(B) Art critics cannot come to any agreement on a definition of primitive art.

(D) Many artists receive little professional training.

PASSAGE FOUR (Questions 7-9)

(1)

(5)

A new hearing device is now available for some hearing-impaired people. This device uses a magnet to hold the detachable sound-processing portion in place. Like other aids, it converts sound into vibrations, but it is unique in that it can transmit the vibrations directly to the magnet, and then to the inner ear, producing a clearer sound. The new device will not help all hearing-impaired people, only those with a hearing loss caused by infection or other problem in the middle ear. It will probably help no more than 20 percent of all people with hearing problems. Those people, however, who often have persistent ear infections should find relief and restored hearing with the new device.

7. What is the author’s main purpose?

(A) to describe a new cure for ear infections

(B) to inform medical personnel of a new device

(D) to explain the use of the magnet

8. It can be inferred from the passage that

(A) this use of magnets is new

(B) infections are in the inner ear

(D) the new device is smaller than old ones

9. According to the passage, what does the device NOT do?

(A) transmit sound to the inner ear

(B) help all hearing-impaired people

(D) change sound into vibrations

PASSAGE FIVE (Questions 10-13)

(1)

(5)

After two decades of growing student enrollments and economic prosperity, business schools in the Unites States have started to face harder times. Only Harvard’s MBA School showed a substantial increase in enrollment in the 1993 school year. Both Princeton and Stanford have seen decrease in their enrollments. Since 1990, the number of people receiving Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degrees, has dropped about 3 percent to 75,000, and the trend of lower enrollment rates is expected to continue.

There are two factors causing this decrease in students seeking an MBA degree. The first one is that many graduates of four-year colleges are finding that an MBA degree is not a guarantee for a plush job on Wall Street, or in other financial districts of major American cities. Many of the entry-level management jobs are going to students graduating with Master of Arts degrees in English and the humanities as well as those holding MMBA degrees. Students have asked the questions, “Is an MBA degree really what I need to be best prepared for getting a good job?” The second major factor has been the cutting of American payrolls and the lower number of entry-level jobs being offered. Business needs are changing, and MBA schools are struggling to meet the new demands.

10. What is the main focus of this passage?

(A) Jobs on Wall Street

(B) Types of graduate degrees

(D) How schools are changing to reflect the economy

11. Which of the following university’s business schools has not shown a decrease in enrollment?

(A) Princeton

(B) Harvard

(D) Yale

12. Which of the following descriptions most likely applies to Wall Street?

(A) A center for international affairs

(B) A major financial center

(D) A neighborhood in New York

13. According to the passage, what are two causes of declining business school enrollments?

(A) Lack of necessity for an MBA and an economic recession

(B) Low salary and foreign competition

(D) Declining population and economic prosperity

Morning Class

2008-06-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today I prepared for teaching TOEFL morning class. After I wrote some materials, I went to my class, opened notebook, provide in-focus, and took out my toefl books. After a while, no one entered my class, I was upset because I don't like my students to come to the class. It is in line with academic attitude at Institute of Telkom Management that the students should come to the class on time.
Then, I asked administrative officer, he mentioned that my class was at 09.30. He he, I was ashamed of myself. Anyway, I prepared the lesson for today's class including my quiz. Here is my quiz for my students.

QUIZ SP IM TELKOM-100 NUMBERS-BASIC MATERIALS

Jason’s father bought him _______________ bicycle that he had wanted for his birthday.
___________ Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from _______ France to _______ United States.
Rita is studying __________ English and ________ math this semester.
___________ judge asked __________ witness to tell ____ truth.
Please give me -------- cup of ------------ coffee with -------- cream and --------- sugar,
--------- big books on ---------------- table are for my history class.
No one in ------------- Spanish class knew ------------ correct answer to -------------- Mrs. Perez’s question.
My --------------- car is four years old, and it still runs well.
When you go to --------------- store, please buy ----------- bottle of ………….. chocolate milk and ----------------- dozen oranges.
There are only ------------ few seats left for -------------- tonight’s musical at --------------- university.
John and Marcy went to ------------ school yesterday and then studied in -------- library before returning home.
------------ Lake Erie is one of -------- five Great Lakes in ------------ North America.
On our trip to ---------- Spain, we crossed ------------- Atlantic Ocean.
------------ Mount Rushmore is the site of ------------- magnificent tribute to ------------- four great American presidents.
What did you eat for ------- breakfast this morning?
Louie played ------------ basketball and -------------- baseball at ----------- Boys’ Club this year.
Rita plays ----------------- violin and her sister plays ---------- guitar.
While we were in ---------------- Alaska, we saw ------------- Eskimo village.
Phil can’t go to ----------------- movies tonight because he has to write ------------ essay.
David attended ---------------- Princeton University.
Harry has been admitted to --------------- School of Medicine at --------------midwestern university.
Mel’s grandmother is in ------------------------- hospital, so we went to visit her ----------- last night.
------------political science class is taking -------- trip to ----------------- United Arab Emirates in ------------ spring
---------- Queen Elizabeth II is --- monarch of ---- Great Britain
------------ declaration of Independence was drawn up in 1776.
Scientists sent --------------- expedition to -------------- Mars during ---------- 1996s.
Last night there was ---------- bird singing outside my house.
------------ chair that you are sitting in is broken.
------------ Civil War was fought in ------------ United States between 1861 and 1865.
------------- Florida State University is smaller than ---------------- University of Florida.
This pen isn’t working. Please give me ------------------------------
If you’re still thirsty, I’ll make ----------------- pot of coffee.
This dictionary has a page missing. Please give me ------------------------------
He does not need those books. He needs -------------------- (all the remaining)
There are thirty people in the room. Twenty are from Latin America and ------------- are from --------------- countries.
Six people were in the store. Two were buying meat. ------------- was looking at magazines. ------------------ were eating a candy bar. ----------------- were walking around for more food.
This glass of milk is sour. --------------- glass of milk is sour too.
The army was practicing its drills. One group was doing artillery practice. -------------- was marching; -------------- was at attention; and ------------ was practicing combat tactics.
There are seven students from Japan. ------------ are from Iran and ---------- are from ------------------ places.
We looked at four cars today. The first two were far too expensive, but ------------ ones were reasonably priced.
Something --------------------- (smell) very good.
We ---------------( eat) dinner at seven o’clock tonight.
He -------------- (practice) the piano every day.
They --------------- (drive) to school tomorrow.
I ------------- (believe) you.
Maria ----------------- have) a cold.
Jorge --------------- (swim) right now.
John ---------- (hate) smoke.
Jill always ---------------------- (get) up at 6:00 a.m.
Jerry ------------------ (mow) the lawn now.
Gene ---------------- (eat) dinner when his friend called.
While Maria was cleaning the apartment, her husband --------- (sleep)
At three o’clock this morning, Eleanor --------------- (study).
When Mark arrived, the Johnsons ------------- have dinner, but they stopped in order to talk to him.
John --------------- (go) to France last year.
When the teacher ------------------ (enter) the room, the students were talking.
While Joan was writing the report, Henry ---------------- (look) for more information.
We --------------- (see) this movie last night.
At one time, Mr. Roberts ------------- (own) this building.
Jose ------------------- (write) a letter to his family when his pencil ------------ (break).
John ------------- write his report last night.
Bob ----------- see this movie before.
Jorge -------------- read the newspaper already.
Mr. Johnson --------------- work in the same place for thirty-five years, and he is not planning to retire yet.
We -------------- begin; negative to study for the test yet.
George ----------------- go to the store at ten o’clock this morning.
Joan --------------- travel around the world.
Betty --------------- write a letter last night.
Guillermo -------------------- see; negative this movie yet.
We ------------------ see; negative this movie yet.
The policeman read the suspect his rights after he ……………… (arrest) him.
After John …………………. (wash) his clothes, he began to study.
George …………………. (wait) for one hour before the bus came.
Maria ……………. (enter) the university after she had graduated from the community college.
Jeannette ……….. (wash) the pipettes after she had completed the experiment.
Jane sent a letter to her university after she …………………… (receive) her scholarship.
After the stewardesses had served lunch to the passengers, they …………… (sit) down.
The car ……………… (flip) ten times before it landed on its roof.
We corrected our papers after we ----------------- (take) the quiz.
John ……………….. (live) in Miami for one year when his parents came to visit.
John, along with twenty friends, (is, are} planning a party.
The picture of the soldiers (bring, brings) back many memory.
The quality of these recording (is, are) not very good.
If the duties of these officers (isn’t, aren’t) reduced, there will not be enough time to finish the project.
The effects of cigarette smoking (have, has) been proven to be extremely harmful.
The use of credit cards in place of cash (have, has) increased rapidly in recent years.
Neither Bill nor Mary (is, are) going to the play tonight.
Anything is, are better than going to another movie tonight.
Skating is, are becoming more popular every day.
A number of reporters was, were at the meeting last night.
Everybody who has, have a fever must go home immediately.
Your glasses was, were on the bureau last night.
There was, were some people at he conference yesterday.
The committee has, have already reached a decision.
A pair of jeans was, were in the washing machine.
Each student has, have answered the first three questions.
Either John or his wife make, makes breakfast each morning.
After she had perused the material, the secretary decided that everything was, were in order.
The crowd at the basketball game was, were wild with excitement.
A pack of wild dogs has, have frightened all the ducks away.