CONFIDENTIAL LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
LCC113
READING ASSESSMENT
COURSE : English For Communicative Competence III
COURSE CODE : LCC113
SEMESTER : 3
TIME : 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. The task sheet is the first assessment of the course.
2. The assessment is due on Week 7.
This paper consists of 13 printed pages
CONFIDENTIAL 2 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
Task 1: Information Transfer (10 marks)
Read the following text and complete the flowchart that follows by filling in the correct
sequence (A-J).
Manufacturing of Microchips
I No matter where we go, we can find various types of electronics around us such as
television, computers and smartphones. However, did you know that the majority of these
devices are powered by the same component? This component is called a microchip. A
microchip is a small electronic component which contains an integrated circuit on one piece
of silicon. These chips are the building blocks of modern electronics. So, now let us dive into 5
how microchips are made.
II First of all, the process of manufacturing microchips starts with silicon rods. The diameter of
a silicon rod is about 10-15 cm in diameter. These rods are cut into slices called wafers. The
faces of the wafers are then polished. Next, the faces are covered with a material called
photoresist. Photoresist is a kind of plastic which is sensitive to light. The faces of the wafers 10
are coated with photoresist before entering the photographic part of the process.
Then, at the next stage, the wafer is exposed to the image from a mask plate. The image is
really a printed diagram of the circuit. Once the image is on the wafer, it is developed
photographically. This means the exposed photoresist hardens and the unexposed 15
photoresist is removed. Next, we come to an important part of the photoresist process.
Having removed the unexposed photoresist, chemicals are applied to process the wafer
III through the photoresist image.
In the final stage, the photoresist is removed and the process starts all over again. The entire
process is repeated many times for other images to be printed on before the wafers are sent
for testing and mounting. The wafers that failed the testing will be rejected.
To conclude, this tiny seemingly unimportant piece of component is unique. Despite its small
size, the process of making one is quite complicated. It is also one of the most important part
of technological devices. Without it, many of our favourite devices would not work.
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 3 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
(A) Chemicals are applied to process the 1.
wafer.
(B) Silicone rods are cut into wafers and 2.
polished.
(C) Faces of the wafers are covered with 3.
photoresist.
(D) The photoresist is removed. 4.
(E) The wafers are exposed to the image 5.
on a mask plate.
(F) The image on the wafer is developed 6.
photographically.
(G) The wafers are sent for testing and 7.
mounting.
(H) The entire process is repeated many 8.
times.
(I) Silicon rods are gathered. 9.
(J) The photographic process starts. 10.
(10 marks)
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 4 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
TASK 2(a): READING COMPREHENSION (10 MARKS)
Read the passage entitled Beauty Filters on Social Media below. Answer all the questions
that follow.
Beauty Filters on Social Media
People who use Instagram, Snapchat, or TikTok might be familiar with filters. Filters can be
fun, especially ones that turn people into Pixar characters or give them a whole new face.
Sometimes they can even make the users feel seen and beautiful by changing a few
features on the face that are flawed. Unfortunately, time spent on social media using these
filters can do more harm than good by changing people’s expectations. These filters have
been proven to contribute to the increase of cosmetic surgeries and lowering its users’ self-
esteem over the years and thus, without healthier ways in using these filters on social media,
the negative effects will continue to spread.
Studies show that social media filters significantly affect the number of plastic surgery cases
in today's world. Beauty filters on social media are well-known for creating beauty features
such as brighter eyes and flushed cheeks. They can also enhance the face by smoothing
out every pore and changing the size of the lips. This resulted in people becoming unhappy
with their original features after they have used these filters. The impact is even worse when
people of all ages, including teenagers and adults, have gotten into the idea of getting plastic
surgery to look more like a filter version of themselves. This can be seen when they bring in
their touched up photos as their inspirations for the surgery and experts believe that this
rooted in them being ashamed to expose themselves without the use of filters.
In addition to cosmetic procedures, there is also a link between social media filters and lower
self-esteem among its users. Social media filters are making people look pretty but feel
worse. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to remember not to compare themselves to
this fake reality that is created through a filter. Researchers have found that young adults
who use social media filters often feel less content with their physical appearance. Thus,
they will fall into a wheel of comparison which involves trying to take “perfect” pictures,
editing them, sharing them, and while waiting, they would go back to their timelines and
continue comparing themselves with others. People with this comparison complex will
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 5 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
compare themselves to the edited version of their friends, which eventually will lower their
self-esteem.
However, there are ways to edit, post, and scroll in a healthier way. Becoming more aware
of how filters and social comparison can affect emotions is a good start to combat the
negative effects of filters. It is important for people to remind themselves everyday that most
images on social media are not real and people might be using filters in every photo they
share. Plus, it is also important to detect when social media may be leading to depression
or anxiety. Being aware of any early warning signs can help people by giving a signal when
they need to take a break from the screen. Thus, by paying attention to how much time a
person spends posting and using filters on images as well as how it is linked with emotional
well-being, one can avoid feeling depressed or comparing himself or herself with others.
It is also healthy for people to set their social feeds to be a place of positivity and inspiration.
Social media is designed to constantly feed the users with only one type of content based
on who they follow and what they like to watch. Therefore, if they begin following those who
are positive about their appearances, who do not use these filters as much, and accounts
that promote self worth, then they are more likely to believe in those views, too. Thus, it is
important for people to ‘filter’ who they follow on social media first as this will determine the
content of their timelines that either keep them positive or make them feel ‘less’ than others
instead.
All in all, the usage of filters on Instagram or TikTok can be harmful, especially among
teenagers today. If not prevented from now, it can lead to a damaging future involving
cosmetic surgeries and low self-esteem that will be common in the society. With some
changes to how people perceive this feature on social media, these effects can be slowed
down. As these problems cannot be avoided because social media usage has now become
a must, any ways to make its usage healthier should be made known.
Adapted from https://www.instyle.com/beauty/social-media-filters-mental-health and
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/12/352956/the-dark-side-behind-using-social-
media-filters
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 6 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
QUESTION 1
I) In paragraph II, they (line 12) refers to
A. Plastic surgery cases
B. Beauty features
C. Beauty filters
II) In paragraph III, the phrase a good start (line 33) refers to
A. Editing photos, sharing them, and using social media in a healthy way.
B. Knowing that filters can influence people to compare themselves with others.
C. Knowing how dangerous filters and comparing habits are to our emotional
being.
(2 marks)
QUESTION 2
What is the topic sentence of paragraph IV?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
QUESTION 3
List (2) two functions of beauty filters that are well-known.
a. ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
(1 mark)
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 7 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
QUESTION 4
Based on the passage above, which paragraph matches each of these headings?
Choose your answer from the box and write the correct letter A - C next to the correct
paragraph.
A Positive Feeds, Positive Life
B Filters and Its Relation to Self-Esteem
C Being Aware as a Step to Fight Filters’ Effects
a. Paragraph IV :C
b. Paragraph V :A
(2 marks)
QUESTION 5
The linking word ‘therefore’ (line 45) connects two ideas in paragraph V. List the (2) ideas
involved.
i. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
ii. ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 8 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
QUESTION 6
Which of the following statements below are true regarding social apps filters and self-
esteem?
i. Filters on social media help young people to become happier with their physical
appearances.
ii. To some extent, filters allow its users to display a beautiful facade that makes it
easier for the viewers to think that they are real.
iii. Filters can trap people into an endless effort to try to showcase a perfect picture and
keep comparing themselves to others.
a. i and ii
b. ii and iii
c. i and iii
(1 mark)
QUESTION 7
Why is it important for people to control who they keep up with on social media?
A. Because the people they follow will have the power to inspire them on what filters
they can use to appear beautiful.
B. Because social media is set to provide contents based on the posts and the people
the users usually engage with.
C. Because controlling who they keep up with will give them early warning signs if they
are close to being depressed.
(1 mark)
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 9 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
TASK 2(b): READING COMPREHENSION (10 MARKS)
Read the passage entitled ‘The Advantages and Disadvantages of Tablets’. Answer the
questions that follow.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Tablets
I Increasing number of schools worldwide are starting to utilise tablets and e-
textbooks instead of traditional textbooks. Some argue it is the way of the future
and it is unavoidable since children are now more familiar with the digital world.
However, despite all the benefits a tablet provides, that is not to say that it is
without some flaws. So, let’s take a close look at the advantages and 5
disadvantages of tablets for education.
II First of all, tablets are very convenient. Students will no longer have to carry
backpacks filled with heavy textbooks every morning as their ‘books’ are all
conveniently stored in one lightweight pad. In fact, the contents in a single tablet
can be larger than that of a school library. In addition, printing new information on 10
new editions of textbooks is more complicated with lengthy processes to go
through during production. There might also be confusion among parents or
students about which edition is which. However, with a tablet the most relevant
and latest content can be added into their tablets with the simple click of an
update button. More than that, if there is confusion about a particular topic, 15
students can even look up the information themselves to get the answer.
III Aside from that, tablets are much more dynamic than traditional textbooks. With
a variety of applications, students are able to learn more effectively as
research has shown that students are much more engaged in learning with a
tablet than traditional textbooks. Furthermore, tablets have the advantage of 20
providing much faster feedback. For example, students will have quizzes and test
marked in applications within just a few seconds. This helps them know their
strengths and weaknesses quicker. In addition, data such as students’
performance gathered from the tablets can be analysed to determine and provide
suggestions for improvements. 25
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 10 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
IV However, despite all the benefits that it brings, tablets do present some flaws.
Some poor students in more rural areas may face some difficulties due to a
number of factors. For instance, lack of internet and electrical access. This is
because not only do tablets require access to the Internet to use a majority of its
applications, they will also need to be recharged every day. In addition, tablets 30
are known to be fragile and students might break it with just a simple accidental
drop, costing money to cover the repair cost. So, this will definitely increase the
burden on less fortunate families.
V Besides that, having everything in one place might be convenient but it could also
be dangerous. Since tablets are more valuable than paper, there is a chance that 35
students may be robbed for them. More concerning however is that without
proper filtering tools, students are much more likely to be exposed to
inappropriate content when using a tablet. Students are tempted to give in to
curiosity and try all the things you can do on tablets rather than just using it for
learning. Whether it’s social media, videos, or games, there will always be a risk 40
that students will use tablets for other than the intended purposes.
VI In addition, there are also health concerns regarding tablet overuse.
Experts believe that use of digital devices such as tablets contribute to Computer
Vision Syndrome, which causes headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. This is
because tablets are usually held close to the eyes and show pixelated images. 45
These two factors cause our eyes to shift in and out of focus which weakens the
eye’s focusing muscle. Concurrently, it also increases the rate of near-
sightedness among students. Not only that, some students might prefer to stay
indoors playing with their tablet, lessening the time they spent outdoors and
causing Vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight. 50
VII In conclusion, tablets present several benefits and downsides. However, for many
users currently, the pros outweigh the cons significantly. With proper
infrastructure and support, tablets can be a very effective learning tool for all
students. As technology continues to grow rapidly, it is important for the education
field to welcome the development and modernise the teaching and learning 55
process.
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL 11 LCC113/READING/SAMPLE
Adapted from https://theglobalscholars.com/should-tablets-replace-textbooks-the-pros-
and-cons-of-tablets/
QUESTION 1
Choose the most suitable meaning for each of the following words as used in the passage.
Creation Clearing Weak Clarifying Construction
Delicate Evaluated Refining Investigated Frail
a) production (line): creation
b) analysed (line): evaluated
c) fragile (line): frail
d) filtering (line): refining
(2 marks)
For QUESTION 2 – 5, choose from the paragraphs (II – VI). The paragraphs may be
chosen more than once.
Which paragraph
2. implies that owning a tablet is generally expensive for poor students?
3. states that students are likely to spend less time outside due to tablets?
4. states that tablets can propose strategies for student development?
5. infers that information in books can’t match even against a single tablet?
(4 marks)
QUESTION 6
State whether the statements are TRUE (T) or FALSE (F).
i) Students are more likely to participate in a lesson when using tablets.
ii) Tablets will not be able to function fully without Internet access.
iii) There’s always a possibility of students using the tablet for other things.
T
iv) Overuse of tablets can cause Vitamin D deficiency
(4 marks)
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL
