DISCUSSION TEXT

Discussion text is a text which presents a problematic discourse. This problem will be
discussed from different viewpoints. Discussion is commonly found in philosophical, historic,
and social text. In other word, Discussion is a kind of genre used to present (at least) two
points of view about an issue.

Social Function: to present (at least) two points of view about an issue

Generic Structure:

o Issue : stating the issue which is to discussed

o Argument pro : presenting the point in in supporting the presented issue
o Argument cons : presenting other points which disagree to the supporting
point
o Conclusion / recommendation: stating the writer’ recommendation of the discourse

Language Features:

 Introducing category or generic participant; uniforms, alcohol, etc.

 Using thinking verb; feel, hope, believe, etc
 Using contrastive conjunction; however, on the other hand, but, in other side, although,
etc
 Using modalities; must, should, could, may, etc
 Using adverbial of manner; deliberately, hopefully, etc
 Simple present

EXERCISE: CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER!

1. _____ his good performance as a student, he is always nervous when doing exams.
a. unless d. even though
b. although e. despite
c. instead of
2. The murder suspects wanted to tell the police the truth; ____, they were afraid.
a. so d. moreover
b. nevertheless e. therefore
c. otherwise
3. _____ she likes his very much, she always pretends to ignore him.
a. since d. even though
b. because e. however
 c. whereas

4. My uncle doesn’t earn much; _____ he can send his children to college.
a. however d. so
b. and e. hence
c. therefore
5. Our school library needs to add more books to its collection; _____, I am collecting
donations to buy new books.
a. therefore d. in addition
b. however e. otherwise
c. nevertheless

EXERCISES
TEXT 1
This text is for no 1 – 5
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.

1. 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

2. 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

3. Which of the following you don’t 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.

4. 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

5. “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

TEXT 2
This text is for no 6 – 9
Nuclear power is generated by using uranium, which is a metal mined in various parts of
the world. The first large-scale nuclear power station was opened at Calder Hall in Cumbria,
England, in 1956.
Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plant for engines. Nuclear
power produces around 11% of the world’s energy needed, and produces huge amounts of
energy. It causes no pollution as you’d get when burning fossil fuels.
The advantages of nuclear are as follows:
1. It costs about the same as coal, so it’s not expensive to make
2. It doesn’t produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it doesn’t contribute to the
greenhouse effect.
3. It produces huge amounts of energy from small amount of uranium.
4. It produces small amounts of waste.
5. It is reliable
On the other hand, nuclear power is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and
buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable,
a lot of money has to be spent on safety because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident can be
a major disaster.
People are increasingly concerned about this. In the 1990’s nuclear power was the
fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world. In 2005, it was the 2nd slowest-
growing.

6. The text discusses …..

a Nuclear in general
b Nuclear biggest station
c The danger of radioactive
d The disadvantages of nuclear power
e The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power

7. The opposite of dangerous is …….(paragraph 4)

a Vile
b Dull
c Tiny
d Calm
e Safe

8. Why is nuclear power very dangerous?

a Its radioactivity lasts long
b Uranium is renewable
c It is reliable
d It is cheap
e It is safe

9. Which statement is TRUE about nuclear?

a It is reliable
b It is costly to make
c It causes air pollution
d It affects the greenhouse
e It produces small amounts of energy