MENENTUKAN GAGASAN UTAMA

DESKRIPTIF

1. READING (Membaca)
STANDAR
Memahami makna dalam wacana tertulis pendek baik teks
KOMPETENSI fungsional maupun esai sederhana berbentuk deskriptif
LULUSAN (descriptive, procedure dan report) dan naratif (narrative dan
recount) dalam konteks kehidupan sehari-hari.
URAIAN Menentukan gagasan utama
INDIKATOR Disajikan sebuah wacana deskriptif, siswa dapat menentukan
gagasan utama wacana tersebut dengan tepat.

Gagasan utama adalah hal atau tema yang diusung atau dibicarakan dalam suatu teks. Dengan kata
lain, gagasan utama merupakan gambaran umum wacana/teks, yaitu apa yang
menjadi tesis penulis secara spesifik apa maksud si penulis menuliskan teks
tersebut. Apabila kita dapat mereduksi bacaan pada teks menjadi suatu
kalimat, bunyi kalimat itulah yang kita namakan pikiran utama.

Contoh Soal & Pembahasan

Clue: - main idea/information Tips:

. - title - Judul
- Kalimat pertama (+ kal. terakhir)
- the text …about … Satu paragraf
- topic - Setiap kalimat pertama
Lebih dari satu paragraf
- the text describes - Kata yang paling sering muncul
Pilihan berupa nama benda/ orang/binatang

Calories per day

Boys Girls
Ages Calories Ages Calories
9 –11 2,200 9 – 11 2,200
12 – 14 2,650 12 – 14 2,150
15 – 17 2,900 15 – 17 2,150
gagasan utama
The text is about the number of calories that _____.

(A) children need per day based on their ages
(B) old people have to consume daily
Tips
- judul
(C) all people must burn in a day - orang/binatang/benda/
(D) the boys need in a whole day tempat : hitung mana yg
(UN 2008 No. 8)
paling banyak muncul
- teks [1 paragraf]: baca
kalimat awal (+akhir)
- teks [>1 paragraf]: baca
kalimat awal +akhir pargf
1, dan setiap kalimat
pertama pargf laiinnya)
5.
6.

7.
9.
 LATIHAN SOAL
PUN 1 2009/2010

This text for number 1

Sharks are amazing fish that have been around since long before the dinosaurs
existed.

They live in waters all over the world, in every ocean and even in some rivers and
lakes.

There are many different species of sharks that range in size from the size of
person’s hand to bigger than a bus. Fully-grown sharks range in size from 7 inches (18)
long (the Whale shark). Most sharks are intermediantein size, and are about the same size
as people, 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1) long. Half of the 368 shark species are less than 39 inches (1
m) long.

Sharks have a variety of body shapes. Most sharks have streamlined, torpedo,-
shaped bodies that glide easily through the water. Some bottom-dwelling sharks e.g. the
angel sharks have flattened bodies that allow them to hide the sand of the ocean bed.
Some sharks have an elongated body shape e.g. , cookiecutter sharks. Saw sharks have
elongated snouts, thresher sharks have a tremendously elongated upper tail fin which they
use to stun prey, and hammerheads have extraordinarily wide heads. The goblin shark has
a large, pointed protuberance on its head

1. The text mainly discusses about …..

a. sharks c. marine life
b. sea animal d. amazing fish

Television is a kind of mass media. It is an electronic mass media. There are one
government television station and some private ones in Indonesia. The government television is
TVRI, while the private ones are TRANS TV, SCTV, RCTI, Global TV, TV One, Metro TV and etc.
All of the stations broadcast various interesting program. They compete to present the best
program for their viewers.

Some years ago, television was a luxurious item, but nowadays it isn’t. It is very important to
get information and entertainment for us, so almost everyone has a TV set.

Television has many programs, such as news, music, quizzes, TV series, sport, film, and even
education programs. Television offer not only positive impacts for the viewers, but also negative
impacts, such as violence and laziness
2. The text mainly discusses …….
a. Television as a mass media c. Some television channels
b. The impacts of television d. Television program

UN 2009/2010

Siti Nurhaliza is a Malaysian pop singer and song writer. She was born in
January 11, 1979 in Berek Polis Kg. Awah, Temerloh as the fifth child in the family of
eight sibling. Right now she is the most succesful Malaysian singer. Siti's family
members are music lovers; Her grand father was a famous violinist while her mother
was a famous local traditional singer.

Siti Nurhaliza attended pre-school at the Sekolah Tabika Perkep, Balai Polis
Kampung Awah, Temerloh. Here, she showed her early singing talent at the age of
six when she sang "Sirih Pinang," a Malay traditional song at her kindergarten's end of
year event. Siti had also won a singing contest when she was twelve years old. She
sang patriatic song in the event. At the age of 13, she started her career by performing
in wedding ceremonies and dinner parties. The local community loved her
performance. At 16, she competed in the 1995 RTM Juara Bintang Competition where
she met Adnan Abu Hassan, a famous Malaysian music composer. He helped her with
her vocal performance and she won the contest.

Siti Nurhaliza was granted a contract with Suria Records and in 1996 she released her
first-titled album, Siti Nurhaliza. After the release of her first album, Siti became a well
known figure in Malay pop culture.

3. The text above tells us about ...

a. The fifth child in the family of eight siblings.
b. A Malaysian traditional singer.
c. A Malaysian pop singer and song writer.
d. The most succesfull Malaysian

4. What does the second paragraph tell us about?

a. Siti Nurhaliza released her first album.
b. Siti Nurhaliza started her career in singing from early childhood.
c. Siti Nurhaliza won a singing contest.
d. Siti Nurhaliza met Adnan Abu Hassan for the first time.
UN 2009/2010

Kediri is a name of a town. It is situated in a valley between the Kelud and Wilis mountains
and inhabited by about 1.3 million people. In the center of the town there is a large hill
which is called the Bathok mountain. Because of the topography of the region, Kediri is
called a chilly town by the locals. There is a big river called Brantas cutting off the center of
the town.

Besides temples, Kediri is also famous for its products like cigarettes and a special kind of tofu
or bean curd. This highly nutritious food is a delicacy of Kediri and have a distinctive taste.
The cigarette factory dominates the town's economy and employs the majority of the women
labor force. Kediri and the cigarette factory are inseparable and it is considered the biggest
cigarette factory in Indonesia. Most of the local people work in this factory. Those who do not
work here are farmers or traders.

5. What does the above text tell us about?

a. The history of Kediri.
b. The famous products of Kediri.
c. The description of Kediri.
d. The people of Kediri.

UN 2009/2010

Guava is a plant in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium. It is

native to Mexico and Central America, northern south America, parts of the
Caribbean and some parts of North Africa and also some parts of India. The guava
tree is not big. It is about 33 feet with spreading branches. The bark is smooth with
green or reddish brown color. The plant's branches are close to the ground. Its
young twigs are soft. It has hard dark elliptic leaves. It is about 2 — 6 inches long
and 1 — 2 inches wide. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous
stamens.
Guava is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for its edible
fruit. Guava fruit, usually 2 to 4 inches long, is round or oval depending on the
species. Varying between species, the skin can be any thickness, it is usually green
when unripe, but becomes yellow or maroon when ripe. The flesh of Guava fruit is
sweet or sour. The color of the flesh may be white, pink, yellow, or red, with the
seeds in the central part of the flesh. The seeds are numerous but small. In some good
varieties, they are edible. Actual seed counts have ranged from 112 to 535. Guava
fruit is rich with vitamins A and C, omega-3 and omega-6, fatty acids and high
6. What is the text about?
a. The nutritious value of Guava fruit.
b. The certain variety of Guava.
c. The Guava plant in general.
d. The special edible fruit.

UN 2009/2010

Guava is a plant in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium. It is

native to Mexico and Central America, northern south America, parts of the
Caribbean and some parts of North Africa and also some parts of India. The guava
tree is not big. It is about 33 feet with spreading branches. The bark is smooth with
green or reddish brown color. The plant's branches are close to the ground. Its
young twigs are soft. It has hard dark elliptic leaves. It is about 2 — 6 inches long
and 1 — 2 inches wide. The flowers are white, with five petals and numerous
stamens.
Guava is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical countries for its edible
fruit. Guava fruit, usually 2 to 4 inches long, is round or oval depending on the
species. Varying between species, the skin can be any thickness, it is usually green
when unripe, but becomes yellow or maroon when ripe. The flesh of Guava fruit is
sweet or sour. The color of the flesh may be white, pink, yellow, or red, with the
seeds in the central part of the flesh. The seeds are numerous but small. In some good
varieties, they are edible. Actual seed counts have ranged from 112 to 535. Guava
fruit is rich with vitamins A and C, omega-3 and omega-6, fatty acids and high

7. The main idea of the paragraph two is ....

a. Guava is grown for its edible fruit
b. Guava's skin is thick
c. Guava consists of shrubs and small trees
d. Guava is planted in all countries
UN 2009/2010

Lightning is a sudden, violent flash of electricity between a cloud and

the ground, or from cloud to cloud.
A lightning flash, or bolt, can be several miles long. It is so hot, with an
average temperature of 34,000° centigrade, that makes the air around it
suddenly expands with a loud blast. This is the thunder we hear. Lightning
occurs in hot, wet storms. Moist air is driven up to a great height. It forms a
type of cloud called cumulo - nimbus. When the cloud rises high enough
the moisture freezes. And then ice crystals and snowflakes are formed.
These begin to fall, turning to rain on the way down. This rain meets more
moist air rising, and it is the friction between them which produces static
electricity. When a cloud is fully charged whit this electricity, it discharges
it as a lightning flash.

8. The text tells you about ....

a. the type of cloud
b. the cause of lightning
c. the description of lightning
d. the benefits of lightning
PUN 1 2010/2011

Borobudur

The Borobudur Temple Compounds is a ninth century Buddhist temple

complex. It was built on levels around a natural hill.

Borobudur is built as a single large stupa, and when viewed from above
takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandate, simultaneously representing
the Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind. The foundation is a square, it
has nine platforms, of which the lower six are square and the upper three are
circular. The upper platform features seventy-two small stupas surrounding one
large central stupa. Each stupa is bell-shaped and pierced by numerous
decorative openings. Statues of the Buddha sit inside the pierced enclosures.

The site was rediscovered in the 19th century, and restored in the eariy 20th.
In 1973 a major renovation took place that was funded by UNESCO.

Two smaller Buddhist temples, Pawan and Mendut, are part of the designated area
too.

9. What is the main idea of pargraph 2?

a. The time when Borobudur was built.
b. The shape of Borobudur when viewed from above.
c. The foundation and the nine platforms of Borobudur.
d. The time when Borobudur was rediscovered and restored.

PUN 1 2010/2011

My Pets

We have three family pets: a dog, a cat, and a tortoise.

The dog's name is Nero. He is big golden Labrador. He is beautiful. He has big
brown eyes and a long tail. He is very friendly dog, but he is sometimes a little
stupid. Dogs are expensive to keep but they are fun lay with.

Our cat is named Martha. She is quite young, but she is not a kitten. She is very
pretty. She has black and white fur and green eyes. She's smart, too and very clean.

The tortoise's name is Rocky. He has short, fat legs, a long neck, and a very hard
shell. He is also very old and slow. He's ugly and dirty, but I like him.
10. What does the text tell us about?
a. Kinds of pets.
b. Kinds of animals.
c. The writer's family pets.
d. The names of the family pets.

PUN 1 2010/2011

Birds

Birds are a group of animals called vertebrates, or animals with backbones.

They form the class Aves.

They are warm-blooded and lay eggs. Their bodies are covered with feathers
and they have wings. Their bones are hollow. This makes them lighter and allows
many of them to fly.

Birds have two legs usually covered with scales (small, flat hard plates which
over-lap in the same way as feathers). They have a hard beak with no teeth.
Because birds keep a high body temperature, they use lots of energy. So, they
need to eat a lot of food compared with their weight. More than 9000 different
species of birds are known.

Birds are found on every continent of the world. Birds of different types can live
in freezing cold environments, and others can live in hot desserts. Birds live in
forests, in grasslands, on cliff faces, in river banks, on stony sea shores, down
mine shafts and in the grooves of houses.

11. What is the main idea of the third paragraph?

a. The habitat of birds.
b. The houses of birds.
c. The parts of birds.
d. The kinds of birds.

PUN 2 2010/2011

Ida is a pretty little girl. She has long hair which reaches to her waist. Ida
knows by having long hair, she has to take care of it. When it is hot, she has to
wash her hair every day. She does it to keep people around her comfortable
because she doesn’t want to disturb them with the smelly sweat.
No wonder that Ida’s hair is thick, beautiful, and healthy. The color of her
hair is Ike a glowing black pearl. Ida knows that her thick hair protects her head
from bumps. Her hair protects her head from the hot sunshine. Her hair also
protects her head from cold weather. Ida knows it all. That is why she takes care
of her hair well.
(Taken from Kumpulan Cerita MOMBI: Let’s Learn English, edisi 22, Tahun 2007)
12. The text mostly tells us about....
a. Ida’s beautiful hair
b. how people like Ida’s hair
c. Ida’s beauty with her long hair
d. The competition Ida won because of her hair

PUN 2 2010/2011
Grand Candi Hotel

Grand Candi Hotel features 198 rooms designed with a touch of modem style, and have
international standard facilities. Located on the highland of Semarang, guests are able to view the
beauty Semarang directly from their room windows.
Hospitality and art combined at its best. Grand Candi Hotel is the only Gallery hotel in Semarang
where painting and sculptures are boasted and displayed throughout the hotel lobby, restaurant and
guest rooms.
Each collection is the reflection of the artist’s imagination and all of it, is indeed the best of art

13. What does the text describe about?

a. A hotel in general c. The gallery of a hotel
b. The facilities of a hotel d. The physical appearance of a hotel

PUN 2 2010/2011

Bunaken Marine Park

Bunaken is an 8.08 km2 island in Bay of Manado, situated in the north of the
island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bunaken forms part of the administrative city of
Manado, capital of North Sulawesi. The marine park around Bunaken Is part of the
National Park that also includes the ocean around the Island of Manado Tua, Siladen
and Mantehage.
Within the Bunaken Marine Park, visitors can see various strange and colourful
marine lives along its seabed. To reach this park, you can take a motorboat. The
journey from Manado takes around 40 minutes. Entrance fee is 25,000 rupiahs per
person per visit.
The translucent waters of the Bunaken seas enable people to dearly view
numerous sea biotas. There are 13 species of coral reefs in this park, dominated by
edge ridges and block ridges of rocks. The most attractive view is the steep vertical
sloppy coral reef that plunges down as deep as 25-50 meters.
Visitors are amazed on the 91 types of fish found in the Bunaken National
Park, amongst which are the locally known gusimi horse fish (Hippocampus), the
white oci (Seriolarivoliana), yellow-tailed lolosi (Lutjanuskasmira) goropa
(Ephinephelusspilotoceps and Psedudanthiashypselosoma), ilagasi
(Scofopsisbilineatus) and others. Divers may also meet mollusk like the giant kima
(Tridacnagigastgas), goat head (Cassic comuta), nautilus (Nautiluspomus) and
tunikates (asccidian).
For those who enjoy scuba diving, this is a great place to be. With about 20 dive
spots to choose from, divers will have the chance to swim below the sea, and frolic
joyfully while admiring the sea creatures.
The best time to visit Bunaken is between May to August. At that time, visitors
can explore the Park to its fullest.
(Adapted from: www.visitbunaken. com)
14. Paragraph four tells us about....
a. kinds of fish the visitors can find at Bunaken
b. the local fish sold in Bunaken Marine Park
c. the location of the fish the divers can find
d. the activity done by divers at Bunaken

PUN 2 2010/2011

Sumatran Rhinoceros

The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerothinussumatrensis) is the smallest rhino specles. It is

also the most distinctive rhinoceros. It has been hunted a lot that It almost extinct. There
are less than 300 Sumatran rhinoceroses surviving in Malaysia and Indonesia. Between
1985 and 1995, the number of Sumatran rhinos declined by 50 percent because of
poaching and habitat destruction.

The Sumatran rhinoceros has unique gray or reddish-brown coat it is believed to be the
only survivor of the lineage that included the woolly rhinoceros. Sumatran rhinos stand
up to 1.4 m at the shoulderand weigh up to 1,000 kg. They have folded skin, like the
other Asian rhinos, except that it is covered with coarse, bristy hair. The Sumatran is the
only rhino in Asia with two horns. The front horn is usually the longest, reaching a length
of 90 cm. The rear one is sometimes so small that the animal locks as if it is single-
horned.

They live mainly in forest-covered hills near water and are known to be good at cimbling
and swimming.

They move mainly at night, and spend most of the day wallowing in mud-holes and
pools.

Sumatran rhinoceroses usually feed on leaves, twigs, and fruit.

Female rhinos reach sexual maturity at about the age of five or six. The males mature
between the ages of seven and eight. However, they do not father calves until they have
claimed a territory, which may take them three or four years. Rhinos always have a single
calf, born after a gestation period of 15 to 18 months. The calf may feed on its mother’s
milk for up to two years. It usually remains with its mother until she is about to give
birth once more. The calf Is only raised by Its mother.

Adapted from: Microsoft Encarta 2007.

15. Paragraph 2 tell us about …..of Sumatran Rhinoceros.
a. body characteristic c. definition
b. sexual maturity d. habitat

PUN 3 2010/2011

Kyai Langgeng Park

Kyai Langgeng Park is an exotic environmental park located at the western part of
Magelang, Central Java 19km from the Ancient Borobudur Temple. It lies just around 1km
away from the center of the city and covers more than 20 hectares of land. Kyai Langgeng
Park provides all various collections of rare plants from all around the country, several species
of unique animals, and also additional family facilities that is most suitable for recreational
visit.
The name of the park is derived from the name of warrior under Prince Diponegoro,
one of Indonesia’s national heroes that’s known for his undying struggle in fighting the
colonialists during Diponegoro was (1825-1830) in order to achieve independence, Kyai
Langgeng. The late Kyai Langgeng was buried on the area of the park and his grave remains
cared for until today.
Kyai Langgeng Park was built by the local government of Magelang and was opened
for public in 1987. Besides the rare plants of various species, Kyai Langgeng Park also provides
several unique animals. One of them is the 54 year old catfish. Other animals displayed are
pythonsnake, eagles, monkeys, deer, jungle chicken, and various species of tropical bird
locked in a cage. There also fish ponds where you allowed to have fishing and also feed the
fishes inside them. Another interesting feature is the collections of large dinosaur statues that
is often used for photo sessions with family. The park also offers many picnic spots where you
can relax with your friend or family and enjoy the tranquility of the natural park.
Besides the main function as an environmental park, Kyai Langgeng Park also
provides additional facilities that can add to your options for entertainment at the park. They
are the swimming pool, water sport facilities (for surfing, kayaking, and rafting), tennis court,
game arena, souvenir shops, tropical fruit market, resort, and others. With the various kinds
of facilities that Kyai Langgeng Park provides, it can surely bring convenience for your
vacation at this sit, where you can also enjoy the astonishing scenery of the surrounding area.
This makes the park a perfect combination of natural and manmade park.
16. What is the main idea of paragraph 1?
a. The location of Kyai Langgeng Park
b. The uniquess of Kyai Langgeng Park
c. The collection of Kyai Langgeng Park
d. The family facilities of Kyai Langgeng Park

PUN 3 2010/2011

Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragon is the world’s heaviest lizard, weighing 150 pounds or more. The largest
Komodo ever measured was more than 10 feet (3 meters) long and weighed 366 pounds
(166 kg) but the average size of komodo in the in the wild is about 8 feet (2,5 meters)
long and 200 pounds (91 kg).

Komodo has gray scaly skin, a pointed snout, powerful limbs and a muscular tail. They use
their keen sense of small to locate decaying animal remains from several miles away.
They also hunt other as well as large mammals and are sometimes cannibalistic.

The Komodo dragon’s teeth are almost completely covered by its gums. When it feds, the
gums bleed, creating an ideal culture for virulent bacteria. The bacteria that live in the
Komodo dragon’s saliva cause septicemia, or blood poisoning, in its victims. A dragon will
bite its prey, and then follow until the animal is too weak to carry on.
The lizard species is threatened by hunting, loss of prey species and habitat loss.
Source : http://animals.discovery.com/reptiles/komodo-
dragon/ (20 October 2010)

17. Paragraph 1 tells us about … of Komodo dragon.

a. The body characteristics
b. The habitat
c. The treat
d. The size

UN 2010/2011
The Yogya Kembali Monument is located in Yogyakarta. It is three kilometres north of the
Yogya city centre in the Jongkang village of the Sleman Regency. The monument was inaugurated on
June 29 , 1985 to commemorate the historie Indonesian struggle for independence. Yogya Kembali
means Yogya Returns, as a reminder of the returning of the Indonesian Republic Government.
There are two sections of the Yogya Kembali Monument. The first section of the Cureng
Aircraft is on the eastern gate, while the other section of Guntai Aircraft stands closer to the western
entrance of the monument. The Monument has two wheeled-machine guns which can be seen from a
podium towards the eastern and the western side. In the southern end of the yard, there is a wall
engraved with 420 Names of freedom fighters who lost their lives during a great struggle, from
December 19th, 1948 to June 29111, 1949. A poem by Chairil Anwar, titled Karawang Bekasi, is
written on one side of the wall dedicated to these unknown patriots.
The Yogya Kembali Monument is surrounded by fish ponds. It is divided into four alleys which lead to
the main building. The main building consists of different floors displaying a wide range of collections
during and after the war times. It shows dioramas, carved reliefs or collection of clothes and weapons.

18. What is the topic of the text above?

a. Yogyakarta.
b. The Guntai Aircraft.
c. The Yogya Kembali Monument.
d. The history of Indonesian struggle.

UN 2010/2011
An animal nursery is a kind of job. People who work as animal nursery workers work in zoos,
kennels, animal shelters, and circuses. They are responsible for feeding, watering, cleaning, bathing
and exercising animals. They care for animals' health by disinfecting them and keeping their cage
clean. They keep records of treatments that the animals have received from the veterinarian, an animal
doctor.
Animal nursery workers have serious responsibilities and functions. They provide care for
newborns and young animals, prepare their food, transport them to feeding areas, and deliver food and
water to them. The food they prepare is different for each species of animals they care for. They fill
nursing bottles which have been sterilized with the appropriate feeding formula. They also take care of
orphaned animals. They observe newborn animals and check for signs of disease or abnormality. They
may perform physical exam on the young animals occasionally, taking their temperatures, pulse rate
and blood pressure. They are also in charge of cleaning and preparing comfortable sleeping areas for
animals, removing waste, cleaning and disinfecting them. They also make sure all cages and
enclosures are safe.
19. What is the text about?
a. The animals being cared by animal nursery workers.
b. The job description of animal nursery workers.
c. A dangerous job of animal nursery workers.
d. The work place of animal nursery workers.

UN 2010/2011
I just got a new toy from my uncle. My uncle is a sailor. He bought me a robot when he sailed
abroad. I love this robot.
My robot is very nice. It is about twenty centimetres tall. The colour of the robot is blue. The
robot has a strong body. It has two big red eyes. Its two strong legs are covered with blade boots.
My robot can be moved with two medium sized batteries. After inserting the batteries at the back
of the robot body, we can make it move when we push the button behind its neck. The robot will move
its left and right foot in turn. It will move its two arms in turn too. However, the robot could not bend
its feet and it moves forward only.
20. What is the main idea of paragraph three?
a. A medium sized battery must be put to make the robot strong.
b. Two batteries are needed to make the robot move.
c. The writer's robot is difficult to move.
d. The robot can move without batteries.