BIOGRAPHY

Biography is a story or information about a person's life which is based on the subject of fiction (non-fiction /
true story). A biography is more complex than just a list of the steps of birth or death and one's job data, but
also tells of the feelings involved in having these events that highlight differences in disposition including
personal experience.

Generic structure

The purpose of a biographical recount is to inform by retelling past events and achievements in a person’s life.
The texts consist of three parts:

a) Part 1: Orientation: opening statement introduces the subject, and explains why he/she is known. It given
the reader the background information as two why this person is Noteworthy and should have a biography
written about the. The opening paragraph should answer the questions: who, what, where, when, and how.
The opening paragraph gives the reader the background information as to why this person is important and
should have a biography written about them.

b) Part 2: Series/events: significant events are ordered chronologically

It presents a series of events, usually told in chronological order. Here the writer might refer to a certain time
on line. The recount then unfolds in paragraphs that retell a series of events, usually told in chronological
order.

c) Part 3: reorientation: closing statement explains how this person will be remembered, and sometimes
gives the writer’s opinion. It consists of a type of conclusion with a comment on the contributions this person
has made or a summary and evaluation of the person’s achievement. The final paragraph is a conclusion with
a comment on the contribution this person has made or a summary and evaluation of the person's
achievements.

Language Features

 A biographical recount uses specific names of the people involved in the biography.
 It is mainly written in simple past tense (the final paragraph could also include the present tense)
 A biographical recount describes events, so it uses many verb or action verb.
 Use of names of specific people.
 Mainly written in simple past tense (the final paragraph could also include the present tense).
 Use of connectives to do with time (last year, then, at the same time, next, on Tuesday 24 May, later,
before, meanwhile).
 Use of action verbs (painted, wrote, invented, discovered).
 Refers to named individuals
 Contains dates linked to specific events
 Can include direct and indirect speech and quotes from other sources
 Written in 3rd person
 Includes time connectives to link ideas
 Events are anecdotal in style (rather than lists of facts), and engage the reader.

The following expressions time expressions that can be used. Explain the relationship of time sequence of
events at first; of First time, in the beginning;
Then, last, next, after this, after that after / event / incident is

Finally to show the time

At (age / age) 12, at age 12 (years)

Last year, this year, next year, next year, the next day a year ago to demonstrate a continuing period of time.
During adolescence, the time I was a teenager, for three years, for a long time. Since (the beginning of the
period continued) preposition

At ... (place name, direction), on ... (date / month / year).

 Pramoedya Ananta Toer, also spelled Pramudya Ananta Tur (born February 20, 1925, Blora, Java, Dutch
East Indies [now in Indonesia]—died April 30, 2006, Jakarta, Indonesia), Javanese novelist and short-story
writer, the preeminent prose writer of postindependence Indonesia.
Pramoedya, the son of a schoolteacher, went to Jakarta while a teenager and worked as a typist there under
the Japanese occupation during World War II. In 1945, at the end of the war, when Indonesia declared its
independence and revolted against renewed Dutch colonial rule, he joined the nationalists, working in radio and
producing an Indonesian-language magazine before he was arrested by the Dutch authorities in 1947. He wrote
his first published novel, Perburuan (1950; The Fugitive), during a two-year term in a Dutch prison camp (1947–
1949). That work describes the flight of an anti-Japanese rebel back to his home in Java.
After Indonesian independence was recognized by the Netherlands in 1949, Pramoedya produced a stream
of novels and short stories that established his reputation. The novel Keluarga gerilja (1950; “Guerrilla Family”)
chronicles the tragic consequences of divided political sympathies in a Javanese family during the Indonesian
Revolution against Dutch rule, while Mereka jang dilumpuhkan (1951; “The Paralyzed”) depicts the odd
assortment of inmates Pramoedya became acquainted with in the Dutch prison camp. The short stories collected
in Subuh (1950; “Dawn”) and Pertjikan revolusi (1950; “Sparks of Revolution”) are set during the Indonesian
Revolution, while those in Tjerita dari Blora (1952; “Tales of Bora”) depict Javanese provincial life in the period
of Dutch rule. The sketches in Tjerita dari Djakarta (1957; “Tales of Jakarta”) examine the strains and injustices
Pramoedya perceived within Indonesian society after independence had been achieved. In these early works
Pramoedya evolved a rich prose style that incorporated Javanese everyday speech and images from classical
Javanese culture.
By the late 1950s Pramoedya had become sympathetic toward the Indonesian Communist Party, and after
1958 he abandoned fiction for essays and cultural criticism that reflect a left-wing viewpoint. By 1962 he had
become closely aligned with communist-sponsored cultural groups. As a result, he was jailed by the army in the
course of its bloody suppression of a communist coup in 1965. During his imprisonment he wrote a series of four
historical novels that further enhanced his reputation. Two of these, Bumi manusia (1980; This Earth of
Mankind) and Anak semua bangsa (1980; Child of All Nations), met with great critical and popular acclaim in
Indonesia after their publication, but the government subsequently banned them from circulation, and the last
two volumes of the tetralogy, Jejak langkah (1985; Footsteps) and Rumah kaca (1988; House of Glass), had to be
published abroad. These late works comprehensively depict Javanese society under Dutch colonial rule in the
early 20th century. In contrast to Pramoedya’s earlier works, they were written in a plain, fast-paced narrative
style.
1. What is the purpose of the text above?
A. To persuade the readers to write novels like Pramoedya Ananta Toer
B. To amuse the readers with Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s story
C. To entertain the readers about Pramoedya Ananta Toer
D. To give information about Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s personal life
E. To identify Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s life

2. Which of the following statement is NOT TRUE based on the text above ?
A. Pramoedya Ananta Toer was one of the greatest novelist in Indonesia
B. He published his first novel during his life in a Dutch prison came
C. He was jailed by the army in 1965 because of his sympathy to communist part
D. All of his masterpiece nov els and short stories had been published abroad
E. His late works represented Javanese society under Dutch colonial
3. “…and popular acclaim in Indonesia after their publication, but the government subsequently
banned them from circulation, and the last two volumes of the tetralogy, …” (paragraph 4) The
word "them" refers to ….
A. A series of four historical novels
B. Essays and cultural criticism
C. Short stories
D. Bumi Manusia and Anak Semua Bangsa
E. Pramoedya’s early works

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) — Astronomer and Scientist. Galileo developed a superior telescope and
made many significant discoveries in astronomy. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the
inquisition for his support for the Copernican theory that the sun was at the centre of the solar system.
Galileo was born in Florence, Italy in 1564 to a poor but noble family. His parents recognized their
child’s innate intelligence and talents and so made sacrifices to have him educated. At his father’s
insistence, Galileo studied the profitable career of medicine. But, at the University of Pisa, Galileo
became fascinated in a wide range of subjects. He was also critical of many of Aristotle’s teaching
which had dominated education for the past 2,000 years.
Galileo was appointed to be a mathematics professor at the University of Pisa, but his strident
criticisms of Aristotle left him isolated among his contemporaries. After three years of persecution, he
resigned and went to the University of Padua, where he taught Maths. His entertaining lectures
attracted a large following and he was able to spend the next 18 years pursuing his interests in
astronomy and mechanics.

4. Something that we can learn from Galileo Galilei‟s biography is ....

A. we must always belief whatever the society believes to avoid getting persecuted
B. we must never go against the believe of the society to avoid getting imprisoned
C. we should believe in something and stay faithful to it no matter how hard
D. we must sacrifice everything to get ourselves educated
E. we should spend 18 years to pursue our interests

5. From the fact that Galileo Galilei was imprisoned for supporting the Copernican theory, which
later was proven to be true, we know that Galileo Galilei was ....
A. reckless D. arrogant
B. stubborn E. foolish
C. tenacious

6. According to the biography, why did Galileo Galilei resign from his teaching job at the University
of Pisa?
A. he had attracted many followers
B. he was persecuted for three years
C. he was appointed as a mathematics professor
D. he had a better offer from the University of Padua
E. he wanted to pursue his interests in astronomy and mechanics

7. “His parents recognized their child’s innate intelligence and talents and so made sacrifices to have
him educated.” (Paragraph 2)
The underlined word is closest in meaning to...
 A. acquired C. multiple E. strident
B. ingenious D. inborn

Milton Friedman was born on July 31, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y. the fourth and last child and first son
of Sarah Ethel (Landau) and Jeno Soul Friedman. His parents were born in Carpatho- Ruthenia of the Soviet
Union. They emigrated to the U.S. in their teens, meeting in New York. When he was a year old, my parent
moved to Rahway, N.J., a small town about 20 miles from New York City.
He was awarded a competitive scholarship to Rutgers University. He graduated from Rutgers in 1932.
He financed the rest of my college expenses by the usual mixture of waiting at tables, clerking in a retail
store, occasional entrepreneurial ventures, and summer earnings. Shortly, however, He became interest in
economics.
In economics, he had the good fortune to be exposed to two remarkable men: Arthur F. Burns and
Homer Jones. Arthur Burns shaped his understanding of economics research, introduced him to the highest
scientific standards, and become a guiding influence on my subsequent career. Homer Jones introduced him
to rigorous economic theory, made economics exciting and relevant, and encouraged me to go on to graduate
work. On his recommendation, Chicago Economics Department offered Friedman a tuition scholarship. As it
happened, he was also offered a scholarship by Brown University in Applied Mathematics, but, by that time,
he had definitely transferred my primary allegiance two economics. In 1976, he won the Nobel Memorial
prize in economics for his achievements in the fields of consumption analysis, monetary history and theory
and for his demonstration of the complexity of stabilization policy. In 1977, at age 65, he retired from the
University of Chicago after teaching there for 30 years.

8. Who influenced Friedman on economic research?

A. Sarah Ethel. C. Arthur F. Burns. E. Alfred Nobel
B. Jeno Friedman. D. Homer Jones

9. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?

A. Milton Friedman was very committed in his interest and talent economics.
B. Homer Jones shaped Milton Friedman understanding of economic research.
C. Arthur Burn introduced Milton Friedman to rigorous economic theory.
D. Brown University offered Milton Friedman a tuition scholarship.
E. Milton Friedman was offered a scholarship by the Chicago Economics department in applied
mathematics.

10. What did Milton Friedman do in financing his college expenses?

A. he was a teacher during summer. D. he sold tables to people.
B. he had a job in entrepreneur company. E. he taught economics in the university.
C. he worked as a clerk in a retail store.
 DR. ABDULRAHMAN SALEH (1909-1947)

Born into a family of doctors in Kampung Ketapang, Kwitang Barat, Jakarta, Abdulrachman Saleh also
became a doctor. After finishing MULO, he studied at STOVIA. While still a student, he was appointed
assistant at the laboratory of physiology. Graduating from STOVIA, Abdulrachman Saleh continued his
work at the lab while having his own medical practice.

Abdulrachman Saleh’s role in medicine was significant. He became a lecturer in Jakarta, Surabaya,
Malang, and Klaten. For his meritorious service in medicine, specifically in physiology, in 1958, the
University of Indonesia bestowed him the title of Bapak Ilmu Faal (Father of Physiology).

Abdulrachman Saleh was a man of many interests. He was involved in youth organizations like Boy
Scouts and Indonesia Muda. He was also a member of Aeroclub, and co-founded theVerenigde Oosterse
Radio Omroep (VORO), an organization of broadcasters. It was he who established the Voice of Free
Indonesia, the radio station which spread the proclamation of Indonesia’s independence to the world.

11. Abdulrachman Saleh was bestowed the title Father of Physiology because ....
A. he was a lecturer in the Medical faculty of the University of Indonesia
B. he was a lecturer as well as a doctor
C. he had significant contribution in physiology
D. he was a lecturer in many parts of Indonesia
E. he was a professor in physiology

12. The main idea of the first paragraph is that Abdulrachman Saleh ...
A. had his own medical practice
B. studied at the medical school in STOVIA.
C. became a doctor because of his family.
D. was appointed assistant at the laboratory of physiology.
E. started his career as a doctor in STOVIA.

13. Besides medicine, Abdulrachman also had a special interest in ....

A. laboratorium assistance D. broadcasting
B. student organizations E. politics
C. aeroplane designing
 Alfred Bernhard Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator, and ornament manufacturer. He
was the inventor of dynamite. He also owned Bofors, which he had redirected from its previous role as
primarily an iron and steel producer to a major manufacturer of cannons and other ornaments. He held 355
different patents, dynamite being the most famous. In his last will, he used his enormous fortune to
institute the Nobel Prizes. The synthetic element nobelium was named after him. He was the third son of
Immanuel Nobel and Andriette Ahlsell Nobel. Born in Stckholm on 21 October 1833, he went with my
family to Saint Petersburg in 1842, where his father invented modern plywood. He studied chemistry with
Professor Nikolay Nickolaevich Zinin. When he was 18, he went to the United States to study chemistry
for four years and worked for a short period under John Ericsson, who designed the American Civil War
ironclad USS Monitor.
Returning to Sweden, with his father after bankruptcy of his family business, he then devoted
himself to the study of explosives, and especially to the save manufacture and use of nitroglycerine
(discovered in 1847 by Acanio Sobrero, one of his fellow students under Theophile-Jules Pelouze at the
University of Turin). A big explosion occurred on 2 September 1864 at his factory in Heleneborg in
Stockholm, killing five people. Among them was his younger brother, Emil.
The foundations of the Nobel Prize were laid in 1895 when Alfred Nobel wrote his last will, leaving
much of his wealth for its establishment. Since 1901, the prize has honoured men and women for
outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and for work in peace.

14. Where did Alfred Nobel work with John Ericsson?

A. In Sweden D. In Heleneborg
B. In the USA E. In Saint Petersburg
C. In Stockholm

15. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?

A. Alfred Nobel devoted himself to the study of chemistry
B. His success with explosive finally led to the 1864 tragedy
C. A big explosion in Heleneborg in Stockholm killed many people
D. A big explosion destroyed his factory in Heleneborg Stockholm
E. Alfred Nobel planned the safe manufacture and use of nitroglycerine

16. What was Bofor’s main business under Alfred Nobel?

A. It manufactured cannons and other ornaments
B. It designed the ironclad monitor
C. It produced iron and steel
D. It produced dynamite
E. It invented nobelium
 Picasso was one of the most outstanding and important artists of the 1900’s. He is best
known for his paintings. Almost every style in modern art is represented in Picasso's works.
Picasso was born in 1881 in Malaga, Spain as the son of an art teacher. He studied painting
from his father and his college level course of study at the academy of arts in Madrid.
From about 1895 to 1901, he painted realistic works in a traditional style. He, then, entered
what was called the Blue Period. During this time, he only used shades of blue in his paintings to
show the poverty he saw in Barcelona.
After 1908, he entered into the style of cubism. Among his well-known cubist paintings are
“Three Musicians” and “Man with a Guitar”.

Picasso died in Moughins, France in 1973. He was really great artist.

17. Why did Picasso become so popular? because ....
A. he was the most outstanding artist of the 1990’s.
B. he was known for his great paintings.
C. he painted in traditional style.
D. he was son of an art teacher.
E. he studied in art school.

18. According to text, Picasso ....

A. died in Spain 1973.
B. was born in Malaga, Italy.
C. was famous for his painting style.
D. had a father who worked as an art teacher.
E. finished his study at the academy of Arts in Madrid.

19. What can be inferred from the text?

A. Picasso’s father was not good at art.
B. Picasso passed away at the age of 92.
C. Picasso was unpopular artist of 1990’s
D. Blue Period shows the prosperity in Barcelona.
E. For 8 years, Picasso painted realistic works in a traditional style.