DISCUSSION TEXT

Definition of Discussion

Discussion is a text which present a problematic discourse. This problem will be

discussed from different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical,
historic, and social text.

Generic Structure of Discussion

Statement of issue; stating the issue which is to discussed

List of supporting points; presenting the point in in supporting the presented issue
List of contrastive point; presenting other points which disagree to the supporting
point
Recommendation; stating the writer recommendation of the discourse

Language Feature of Discussion

Introducing category or generic participant

Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
Using additive, contrastive, and causal connection; similarly, on the hand, however,
etc
Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc

Examples of the text

National Exam: Pro and Contra?

National exam becomes the hot topic in most of discussions among students,
teachers, and parents. Some people believe that national exam is not necessary for
students as a requirement to be able graduate from a school. In other hand, other
people see national exam as an important indicator to know whether students have
mastered all school materials or not. The debate among society about national
examination goes on until now.

For people who agree, national exam is necessary for students as a requirement to
graduate from a school. People who support the national exam explain that the
quality of the Indonesia education will drop without the national exam, so they try to
defend the current system. They also think that national examination can motivate
students to study harder.

However there are people who disagree with the opinion. Those who against this
national exam kept in school education say that it doesn't need the national exams
because the quality of education does not just depend on the national exam. Further,
the national exam only measures a small portion of students' competence in specific
subjects, and does not measure students' competences throughout the semester.
In conclusion, national examination can still be useful as an instrument to evaluate or
detect the level of students' cognitive competence in several subjects, on a national
scale. However, it is not fair if only national exam score that judge whether students
pass or not. Government should make a regulation that national exam is not the only
requirement for students to graduate. There should be other requirements added
such as students daily score, behavior, and achievement.

Exercise

Male chauvinism (men's believe in male superiority) extends even into the area of
automobile driving, it seems. They believe that they are far better drivers than women.
Men consider women drivers incompetent, inattentive and even dangerous behind the
wheel.

However, statistics prove that women are, in fact, safer drivers than men. For
example, insurance rates for women are 20 percent than they are for men. Another
proof is that more accidents are caused by male drivers between the ages of 18 and 25
than by any other groups. Also the greater percentage of accident involving death is
caused by men. Although women are criticized for being too cautious, they are really
just being safe drivers.

The reason for women driver's safer habits can perhaps be found in the differing
attitudes of sexes toward automobiles as a convenience, like a washing machine.

On the other hand, men regard the automobile as an extension of their egos. Using it
as a weapon when they feel particularly aggressive or using it as a status symbol.

In all, women are safer drivers because of their attitude. Men can learn to become safe
drivers if they adopt the attitude that an automobile is merely a convenience.

28. The text is about .

A. Road accidents
B. Women attitude towards automobile
C. Male superiority in automobile driving
D. A comparison between men and women drivers
E. Statistics about the number of road accidents

29. In term of car accidents, the statistics proves that car accidents caused by .
A. men are higher than those of women
B. men are lower than that of women
C. men are as high as that of women
D. women are equal to that of men
E. women are the same as that of men

30. Which of the following you dont agree with about men drivers?
A. They are safe and careful drivers.
B. They cause more accidents than women.
C. They consider themselves to be competent drivers.
D. They feel that using a car shows status of symbol.
E. They regard automobiles as an extension of their egos.

31. We can understand from the text that .

A. men always criticize women for their bad driving attitude
B. women show their egos by aggressive driving
C. the statistic shows women drive the car carelessly
D. young women drivers get many accidents
E. men underestimate women

32. Men consider women drivers incompetent, inattentive, and even dangerous
behind the wheel. (Paragraph 1)
The underlined word means .
A. Intent
B. Furious
C. Watchful
D. Careless
E. Indiscipline