Explanation Text

 Explanation Text

Definition of Explanation Text

Explanation is a text which tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific and cultural phenomena. Explanation text is to say ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the forming of the phenomena. It is often found in science, geography and history text books.

Generic Structure of Explanation Text

#General statement; stating the phenomenon issues which are to be explained.

#Sequenced explanation; stating a series of steps which explain the phenomena.

Purpose of Explanation Text

– To tells processes relating to forming of natural, social, scientific, and cultural phenomena.

– To explain how or why something happens.

The Characteristics / Language Feature of Explanation Text

– Featuring generic participant; sun, rain, etc

– Using chronological connection; to begin with, next, etc

– Using passive voice pattern

– Using simple present tense

Example of Explanation Text

Rain is the primary source of fresh water for most areas of the world, providing suitable conditions for diverse ecosystems, as well as water for hydroelectric power plants and crop irrigation.

The phenomenon of rain is actually a water circle. The concept of the water cycle involves the sun heating the Earth’s surface water and causing the surface water to evaporate. The water vapor rises into the Earth’s atmosphere. The water in the atmosphere cools and condenses into liquid droplets. The droplets grow until they are heavy and fall to the earth as precipitation which can be in the form of rain or snow.

However, not all rain reaches the surface. Some evaporates while falling through dry air. This is called virga, a phenomenon which is often seen in hot, dry desert regions.

Examples of english questions

Acid rain is rain that is highly acidic because of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and other air pollutants dissolved in it. Normal rain is slightly acidic, with a pH of 6. Acid rain may have a pH value as low as 2.8.

Acid rain can severely damage both plant and animal life. Certain lakes, for example, have lost all fish and plant life because of acid rain.

Acid rain comes from sulfur in coal and oil. When they burn, they make sulfur dioxide (SO2 ). Most sulfur leaves factory chimneys as the gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) and most nitrogen are also emitted as one of the nitrogen oxides (NO or NO2 ), both of which are gasses. The gasses may be dry deposited–absorbed directly by the land, by lakes or by the surface vegetation. If they are in the atmosphere for anytime, the gasses will oxidize (gain an oxygen atom) and go into solution as acids. Sulphuric acid (H2 SO4 ) and the nitrogen oxides will become nitric acid (HNO3 ). The acids usually dissolve in cloud droplets and may travel great distances before being precipitated as acid rain.

Catalysts such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and ammonium help promote the formation of acids in clouds. More ammonium (NH4 ) can be formed when some of the acids are partially neutralized by airborne ammonia (NH3 ). Acidification increases with the number of active hydrogen (H+) ions dissolved in acid. Hydrocarbons emitted by, for example, car exhausts will react in sunlight with nitrogen oxides to produce ozone. Although it is invaluable in the atmosphere, low-level ozone causes respiratory problems and also hastens the formation of acid rain. When acid rain falls on the ground it dissolves and liberates heavy metals and aluminum (Al). When it is washed into lakes, aluminum irritates the outer surfaces of many fish. As acid rain falls or drains into the lake the pH of the lake falls. Forests suffer the effect of acid rain through damage to leaves, through the loss of vital nutrients, and through the increased amounts of toxic metals liberated by acid, which damage roots and soil microorganisms.

1. What is the text mainly about?

     A. The definition of acid rain

     B. The process of acid rain

     C. The effect of acid rain

     D. Acid rain

     E. Rain

Ans: D. Acid Rain

2. The acid of normal rain is .… then the acid rain

     A. Higher

     B. Lower

     C. Denser

     D. Severer

     E. The same

Ans: B. Lower

3. What is the result of the burning of the coal and oil?

     A. Ammonium

     B. Nitric acid

     C. Sulphuric acid

     D. Sulfur dioxide

     E. Airborne ammonia

Ans: D. Sulfur dioxide

4. The sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides will …. in the air.

     A. Be absorbed directly by the vegetation

     B. Dissolved in the lake water and land

     C. Emit another sulfur gas

     D. Radiate an oxygen atom

     E. Gain an oxygen atom

Ans: E. Gain an oxygen atom

5. Which of the following is not true about acid rain?

     A. It contains lower pH than the normal rain

     B. It has higher pH than the normal rain

     C. It can damage animal and plant life

     D. It contains dangerous gasses

     E. It endangers water life

Ans: A. It contains lower pH than the normal rain

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