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Read the following passage. Then try to make notes of the key facts.
English Department Announcement
For the first time, the university will offer a new night class called Survey of English Literature next semester. It will be the first of our core classes being offered at night. The change is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to take classes in the evening. Second, by adding this new class, it will expand the offerings of the literature department, allowing the department to offer more classes to attract a growing student base.
Write down the main idea and key points in note form, using keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.
survey – a general summary of a subject
core – the main part or the required part
offer – to provide a product or service
expand – to make something larger
base – a group of similar people
Reading:
Now listen to a related conversation. Take notes on the woman's opinion.
none too soon – just at the right time
packed – very full
especially – particularly
major – a student who is studying a particular subject at a university
advanced – difficult or complex
Listening:
View the transcriptM: Did you hear they're offering a new literature class at night?
W: Yeah, I think it's an excellent idea, and none too soon.
M: Right.
W: I mean every semester it seems there are more and more working students coming to this university. I had one night class and it was packed because it was one of the few night classes the working students could take. So this is a really good idea to offer more night classes. Especially if we can expect more part-time students on campus.
M: I know what you mean.
W: But it's also a good idea to offer more literature classes in general. You know, for those of us whose major isn't literature, we don't have a lot of choices if we want to take a literature class. A lot of them are only for literature majors. But this one sounds really good because it's a survey class. So, it's not too advanced for people like me who want an introduction first.
M: That's true. Most of the classes are pretty advanced.
Read and think about the prompt below.
The woman expresses her opinion of the announcement made by the university's English department. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.
WITHOUT looking at the original reading passage, review your notes from the reading and listening passages. Select the information you think is important.
Reading:
Listening:
Try to fill in the blanks of the sample response below using your notes.
Notes for the Response
- Opinion: The woman thinks it is a good idea for the university to expand the English department's offerings.
- Reason 1: More working students are coming to the university.
- Detail: The woman's night class was packed with working students.
- Reason 2: The university needs to offer more basic literature classes.
- Detail: The woman struggled to find a class that was not too advanced.
Deliver your response, including all the facts and using necessary transitions.
Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions that could improve your response.
Reading:
Listening:
The woman thinks it is a good idea for the university to expand the English department's offerings. First, she says there are not enough classes for working . students who .can only study at night. She mentions that her night class was crowded with working students. Second, she likes the idea of a new introductory class. She says she struggled to find a class that was not too advanced.
Now give your response to the prompt again, incorporating useful expressions from the sample, while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.
