The McCaugheys: An Unusual Family (Report Text)

The McCaugheys: An Unusual Family

       Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey live in Iowa.  They have a big family. In fact, they have eight children. But this family is also very unusual. Mikayla is the oldest child in the family. She is 6 years old. The other children are Brandon, Joel, Kelsey, Kenny, Natalie, Alexis, and Nathan. They are all 5 years old. Why they are all the same age? Because they are septuplets! Septuplets are seven children who are born together.

            It is hard work to take care of seven babies at the same time. But Kenny and Bobbi did not take care of the seven babies alone. In the beginning, many people came to the McCaughey house to help them. Their friends and families helped to feed, clean, and dress the babies. Every week, the septuplets used about 170 diapers! They drank a lot of milk, too.

            Now the children are older. Bobbi says, “It’s easier to take care of the children now. They feed and dress themselves, and they don’t need diapers anymore!” the septuplets started school this year. But they do not leave the house. Why? The children go to school at home, like their big sister, Mikayla. When Mikayla was ready for school, Kenny and Bobbi decided to teach her at home. “Homeschooling” is popular. Many families in the United States teach their children at home. The children do all their schoolwork at home. Last year, Bobbi was Mikayla’s teacher. Now, Bobbi is the teacher for all eight of her children.

                                                                                                                          Source:Themes for Today

Do the tasks for understanding the materials in the following site:

file:///C:/Users/Public/Documents/Documents/CALL/index.htm

for your current information about the septuplets, watch this video about the septuplets turning 13 last year:

Abu Nawas: Saved by Stilts (Spoof Text)

The king wanted to test Abu Nawas’ smartness. So he invited Abu Nawas to the palace. “You want me, your Majesty?” greeted Abu Nawas. “Yes, you have fooled me three times and that’s too much. I want you to leave the country. Otherwise you will have to go to jail” said the king. “If that is what you want, I will do what you said” said Abu Nawas sadly. Then “Remember, from tomorrow you may not step on the ground of this country anymore” the king said seriously. Then Abu nawas left the king palace sadly.

The following morning the king ordered his two guards to go to Abu Nawas’ house. The guards were very surprised found Abu Nawas still in his house. He had not left the country yet. Instead leaving the country, Abu Nawas was swimming in small pool in front of his house. “Hey Abu Nawas, why haven’t you left this country yet? The king ordered you not to step on the ground of this country anymore, didn’t he?” said the guards. “Sure he did” answered Abu Nawas calmly. “But look at me! Do I step on the ground of this country? No, I do not step on the ground. I am swimming on the water” continued Abu Nawas.

The guards were not able to argue with Abu Nawas so they left Abu Nawas’ house and went back to the palace. The guards reported what they had seen to the king. The king was curious on Abu Nawas’ excuse not to leave the country. Therefore the king ordered his guard to call Abu Nawas to come to the palace.

Abu Nawas came to the palace on stilts. The king wondered and said “Abu, I will surely punish you because you haven’t done what I have said. You have not left this country”. The King continued “And now, look at you. You walk on stilts like a child. Are you crazy? The king pretended to be furious.

“I remember exactly what you said, Your Majesty” Abu Nawas answered calmly. “This morning I took a bath in the small pool in my house so that I had not to step on the ground. And since yesterday, I have been walking on this stilts. So you see, Your Majesty, I do not step on the ground of this country”. The king was not able to say anything.

Generic Structure Analysis
Orientation: Introducing Abu Nawas and the King on the counteracts about leaving and staying in the country

Event 1: Abu Nawas was swimming on the pool

Event 2: Abu Nawas was walking on the stilts

Twister: Abu Nawas explained that swimming in the pool and walking on the stilts meant not stepping on the ground of the country.

The question for you guys,
"What is the moral truth of the story?"

The Tsunami Memorial Ceremony in Gampong Lamhasan (News Item Text)

The tsunami that happened on 26 December 2004 is always celebrated by the people of Aceh, especially in the areas that has hit by the tsunami. Gampong Lamhasan, located in Peukan Bada subdistrict, Aceh Besar, is one of the areas which was severely damaged by the tsunami. The people of Gampong Lamhasan have their own way to celebrate the tsunami memorial ceremony.

The main difference of the Gampong Lamhasan ceremony than others is the celebration date. Unlike the others that celebrate at every 26 December each year, the people of Gampong Lamhasan celebrate it based on the Hijriyah (Islamic year) date. In Hijriyah year, the tsunami in Aceh happened on 14 Dzulqaidah 1425 H, meaning that the resident of Gampong Lamhasan celebrate the tsunami every 14 Dzulqaidah that is different in BC date. In this year, the ceremony of tsunami memorial in Gampong Lamhasan was held on 30 September 2012.

“We deliberately choose to celebrate the memorial based on the Hijriyah’s date because we agreed that it is more accurate than the BC’s date beside because we are Muslims.” said the Imam Meunasah (religion leader of the village) of Gampong Lamhasan, Tgk. Ishak (57), explaining  the unique date to celebrate the tsunami memorial.

The ceremony itself is held at the Meunasah Gampong (village’s small mosque). There is a miniature ship made by the residents and it is put it in front of the Meunasah as a symbol of safety from the disaster. The ceremony is held in a one full day. In the morning, the people pray together at the Meunasah and then they eating together as the symbol of thanks to Allah that they are safe from the disaster. After that, they go home and wait to the night event, a religion speech from a famous orator that comes from various pesantren (Islamic school boarding).

The orator’s speech is about how to reflect the tsunami as a warning from God to not prioritizing the world life than the Hereafter and to be a better person in many aspects. “It is always an exciting moment to hear the religion speech because the way of the orator delivering his speech is very attractive. We love it!” stated one of the resident of Gampong Lamhasan, Hasanuddin (42), commenting about the religion speech event.

“This ceremony should be always be held considering that this is a big thing happened to us and also to inform our next generation that this tragedy is ever happened.” Mariati (34), stating about the necessity of this ceremony. Moreover, the Geuchik (leader of the village), Buchari MY (38), hoping that the ceremony can strengthen ties among its residents. “With all activities in memorializing the tsunami that happened 8 years ago, I personally hope that the bond of residents can be strengthened and the residents can reflect what the tsunami has taught us to get closer to God.”