NARRATIVE TEXT: EXAMPLES AND EXERCISES
Example 1
The Legend of Nyi Ating
The Text
Long ago, in a small village in Central Kalimantan, there lived a beautiful and kind-hearted girl named Nyi Ating. She lived with her mother and helped her family every day. Although they were poor, Nyi Ating was always grateful and never complained.
One day, Nyi Ating went to the river to collect water. While she was walking along the riverbank, she found a small golden object among the stones. She took it home and showed it to her mother.
Her mother was surprised. She told Nyi Ating not to be greedy and suggested that they return the object to the river. Nyi Ating followed her mother’s advice. She went back to the river and put the golden object where she had found it.
Suddenly, the river became very bright. A mysterious voice thanked Nyi Ating for her honesty. The voice said that her kindness would bring happiness to her family.
From that day on, Nyi Ating and her mother lived more comfortably. Nyi Ating never forgot the lesson: honesty and kindness are more valuable than gold.
Questions
1. What is the main purpose of the text?
A. To describe a beautiful village
B. To explain how gold was made
C. To entertain readers with a traditional story and teach a lesson
D. To describe the life of people near a river
E. To explain how to find gold in a river
2. Why did Nyi Ating return the golden object to the river?
A. She was afraid of her mother.
B. She did not like the golden object.
C. She wanted to give it to someone else.
D. Her mother advised her to return it.
E. She wanted to find another object.
3. What can we learn from Nyi Ating’s action?
A. Wealth is the most important thing.
B. We should keep everything we find.
C. Honesty and kindness are valuable.
D. We should always live near a river.
E. Golden objects bring happiness.
4. The word “they” in paragraph 1 refers to …
A. Nyi Ating and the villagers
B. Nyi Ating and her mother
C. Nyi Ating and her friends
D. The villagers and their families
E. Nyi Ating and the mysterious voice
5. What happened after Nyi Ating returned the golden object?
A. The river disappeared.
B. Her mother became angry.
C. The village was destroyed.
D. The river became very bright.
E. Nyi Ating found another golden object.
Example 2
The Story of Sapundu
The Text
Long ago, the Dayak people in Central Kalimantan had an important tradition related to funerals. One of the traditional objects used in the ceremony was called a sapundu.
A sapundu was a wooden pole carved into the shape of a human or animal. It was placed in front of a traditional house or near the place where a funeral ceremony was held. The carvings were not made randomly. Each one had a meaning related to the person and the ceremony.
According to an old story, a skilled woodcarver once wanted to create the most beautiful sapundu in his village. He worked day and night. He carefully chose the wood and carved every detail.
When the sapundu was finished, the villagers admired his work. However, the woodcarver did not become proud. Instead, he said that the sapundu was not only about beauty. It represented respect for the person who had passed away and showed the importance of tradition.
Since then, the villagers continued to teach younger generations about the meaning behind the carvings. They believed that preserving their traditions was a way to respect their ancestors.
Questions
6. What is the text mainly about?
A. A competition between woodcarvers
B. The history and meaning of sapundu
C. The traditional houses of Central Kalimantan
D. The life of a famous Dayak woodcarver
E. How to make a wooden pole
7. What was a sapundu made of?
A. Stone
B. Gold
C. Metal
D. Wood
E. Bamboo
8. Why did the woodcarver make the sapundu carefully?
A. He wanted to sell it.
B. He wanted to make the most beautiful sapundu.
C. He wanted to win a competition.
D. He wanted to become famous.
E. He wanted to impress a king.
9. What did the sapundu represent?
A. Wealth and power
B. Beauty and competition
C. Respect and tradition
D. War and bravery
E. Friendship and success
10. What is the moral value of the story?
A. Young people should become woodcarvers.
B. Beautiful objects are always valuable.
C. Traditions should be preserved and respected.
D. People should work day and night.
E. Everyone should make a sapundu.
Example 3
The Legend of the Kahayan River
The Text
Long ago, there was a young man who lived near a large river in Central Kalimantan. The river was surrounded by thick forests and was an important source of water and food for the people.
The young man was known for his courage and kindness. One day, while he was fishing, he saw a strange light coming from the middle of the river. Curious, he paddled his small boat toward the light.
When he arrived, he saw a beautiful woman standing on a large stone. She told him that she was the guardian of the river. She warned him that the river and forest would provide everything the villagers needed as long as they respected nature.
The young man promised to remember her message. He returned to his village and told the people what had happened. From that day, the villagers became more careful. They stopped throwing rubbish into the river and avoided cutting trees unnecessarily.
Years passed, and the village became prosperous. The people believed that their prosperity came from respecting the river and the forest.
The story was passed down from one generation to another as a reminder that humans should live in harmony with nature.
Questions
11. Why did the young man go toward the light?
A. He wanted to catch more fish.
B. He was ordered by the villagers.
C. He was curious about it.
D. He wanted to find a new village.
E. He was looking for his boat.
12. What did the guardian of the river warn the young man about?
A. The river was dangerous for fishing.
B. The villagers should leave the area.
C. The forest should be completely cut down.
D. People should respect nature.
E. People should stop using the river.
13. What did the villagers do after hearing the young man’s story?
A. They left the village.
B. They stopped fishing.
C. They became more careful about nature.
D. They built a new river.
E. They searched for the guardian.
14. The word “their” in the last paragraph refers to …
A. the forests
B. the rivers
C. the young men
D. the villagers
E. the guardians
15. What is the main moral value of the story?
A. People should avoid rivers.
B. People should live in harmony with nature.
C. Fishing is the best way to earn money.
D. Forests are dangerous places.
E. Young people should explore mysterious places.