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Read the passage below.
Announcement from the Athletics Department
We regret to announce that the university will no longer, be selling basketball tickets at a reduced price for students. This policy takes effect immediately. This is necessary primarily because we are no longer making a profit on the games. In the past, it was possible to sell reduced-price tickets and still make money, but this is no longer possible. Moreover, ending reduced pricing will help us raise the additional money necessary to improve the team's facilities, which are currently in very poor condition.
Write down the main idea and key points in note form, using keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.
regret – to feel unhappy that something happened
reduced – made smaller In size or amount
policy – a rule or set of rules
moreover – additionally; furthermore
condition – the physical state of something
Reading:
Now listen to a related conversation. Take notes on the man's opinion.
term – a semester at a school or university
program – a group of activities that work toward the same goal
arena – an enclosed area designed to hold events for large crowds
outdated – very old and no longer suitable for use
leak – a hole that allows water to pass through
Listening:
View the transcriptM: Did you hear that they are finally raising baseball ticket prices?
W: No. You mean they're raising ticket prices for students?
M: Yeah, the announcement says that there'll be no reduced tickets this term for students.
W: Oh. You go to games all the time, How do you feel about that?
M: I guess it's not that bad, really. I mean, for one, they're right in saying that they're not making enough money. I go to the games all the time, and most of the people there are students, which means that most people aren't paying full ticket price. How are they supposed to make any money like that? It just makes no sense for the university. They have to make money on these games, or they won't be able to have a basketball program.
W: That's right. And no one wants that.
M: And I also agree with the idea that the school needs more money to improve the facilities. I mean, have you seen the arena lately?
W: No. Why?
M: Well, it looks horrible, like something from when my grandfather went to school here. It's old, outdated, and falling apart. I hear that when it rains, they have leaks in the locker rooms.
W: I can understand why they would want to fix it up.
Read and think about the prompt below.
The man expresses his opinion of the announcement made by the. university's athletics department. State his opinion and explain the reasons he 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 man thinks it is good that the university will no longer sell reduced-price tickets to students.
- Reason 1: The university is not making money.
- Detail: Most of the people at basketball games are students.
- Reason 2: The university needs money to improve the facilities.
- Detail: The university is old, ugly, and the roof leaks.
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 man thinks it is good that the university will no longer provide reduced-price basketball tickets to students. This is because, first, they are not making a profit with reduced tickets. He says that it makes sense to charge students regular price when they are the majority of the fans at the games. Second, it will help to raise more money to improve the facilities. He also thinks that the team needs a new arena since the one they have is old, ugly, and has leaks in the locker rooms.
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.
