At the beginning of the 19th century, the United States went through a time of rapid development, known as the Industrial Revolution. Several factors contributed to the revolution. Today, however, I’ll just focus on the development of water and land transportation systems. Before the Industrial Revolution, the only way to travel around the U.S. was on foot or horseback. As you can guess, this was not very efficient. So the country began the construction of canals. These man-made waterways made it possible to transport goods from the ocean to places as far away as Chicago with ease. The result of this was lower prices on goods and services. Of course, canals could not be built everywhere. The nation needed a way to connect areas far from water with the rest of the country. Through the railway systems, trains could move even larger quantities of good than canals. They also made it possible to send raw materials from the rural South directly to the North. In this way, the railway systems lowered the cost of transporting goods further. This, in turn, created more industrial development.

 

Using points and examples from the lecture, explain the developments in transportation during the American Industrial Revolution.

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Preparation time: 20 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

The speaker goes over the development of water and land transportation during the American Industrial Revolution. Originally, people did not have an efficient way to travel around the U.S., so the nation constructed canals. These made it possible to transport goods to places far from the ocean cheaply. Later, the nation constructed railroads. Railroad trains could move even more goods than canals. Railroads also made it possible to transport raw materials from the South to the North easily. This lowered transportation costs further, allowing the U.S. to become more developed.

W: Excuse me, professor Howard. May I speak to you for a moment?

M: Absolutely, Sherin. Come on in. Is everything alright?

W: Um, not exactly. You see, I’m a philosophy major. I really enjoy my studies, but I’m worried that I won’t be able to get a good job with a philosophy degree.

M: I understand. Have you thought about changing majors? You could study business management or accounting. Then you’d be sure to get a decent job right out of school. But if you do that, then it will probably take you another year to graduate.

W: Yes, I’ve thought about that. The problem is I’ll have to take out a student loan if I study an extra year.

M: And I’m sure you don’t want that. Maybe you could get a minor in business? That way you will get some business knowledge and still complete your studies on time. Of course a business minor alone might not help you very much in getting a good job.

W: Gosh, this is such a tough decision. I don’t know what to do.

The man gives two possible solutions to the woman’s problem. Describe the problem. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.

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Preparation time: 20 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

1. State the problem
   • The woman is worried that she will not be able to get a good job with a philosophy degree
2. What are the pros and cons of solution 1?
   • Pro: She will be more likely to get a job.
   • Con: She will have to take out a student loan.
3. What are the pros and cons of solution 2?
   • Pro: She can complete her studies on time.
   • Con: A minor in business is not good enough.
4.  Your opinion
   • solution 1 is better 
5. Come up with two reasons to back your opinion
   • Most good jobs require a degree in business.
   • She will be able to get a good job, which will allow her to pay off her student loans more easily.

Solution 1: The woman is worried that she will not be able to get a good job with a philosophy degree. The man suggests changing majors or getting a minor in business. Between these two solutions, I prefer the first one. For one, most good jobs today require a degree in business. A minor in business is not good enough. On top of this, the woman will be more likely to get a high-paying job. This will allow her to pay off her student loan easily.

Solution 2: The woman’s problem is that her philosophy degree might not help her get a good job. The man first tells the woman to change her major. However, I think his second suggestion of getting a minor in business is better. First, the woman can graduate on time. She will not have to take out a student loan. I also feel that the woman should study what she enjoys. If she majors in business, then she might not be very happy.

One of the most important lessons students learn in school is how to follow the rules. Students learn how to share, to respect others, and to complete assignments on time. However, teaching students these ideas is sometimes difficult. As a result, teachers have to rely on a variety of strategies to help students learn to follow the rules.

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Reading time: 45 seconds

Let me tell you about my experience as an elementary school teacher and how I taught students to follow the rules. If you’ve been around young children, then you know that they love to ask “why?”. This is especially true of the rules. Young students need to know why a rule exists. Otherwise, they won’t follow it. This mean we should always explain the purpose of the rule after making it. I’ll give you an example to help you understand. I didn’t want my students to eat snacks in the classroom. So I made a rule against eating in class. At first the students didn’t follow the rule, but then I explained why I made the rule. I told them that I wanted to keep the classroom clean. Once the students understood the purpose of the rule, they followed it without a problem.

The professor describes her experience teaching students to follow the rules. Explain how her experience relates to teaching rules.

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Preparation time: 30 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

1. What does the reading passage say about teaching students to follow the rules?
   • The passage says that it is difficult and that teachers must rely on __.
2. What rule did the instructor create in her elementary school class?
   • She created a rule against __.
3. What strategy did the instructor use to get her students to follow the rules?
   • The instructor would __ of the rules to get her students to follow them.

The passage deals with teaching rules to students. It explains that teachers must use a variety of strategies to teach students the rules. In the listening, the lecturer claims that young children will not follow a rule if they don’t know why it exists. She gives an example to help explain. The lecturer made a rule against eating in class. At first, the students didn’t follow the rule. But after she explained the purpose of the rule, the students followed it without a problem.

Effective the first week of March, the school will begin loaning laptops to students. By offering this service, the university hopes to make the computer labs less crowded. The service will also give students greater flexibility in where they choose to study. To borrow a laptop, visit any university computer lab and show your student I.D. card to a computer center employee.

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Reading time: 45 seconds

W: What do you think about the school’s plan to loan laptops to students?

M: In all honesty, I’m not convinced that the plan will be successful.

W: Yeah, I feel the same way. I think the school should use the money for other things.

M: Oh, for sure. Like the desktop computers in the computer labs. Most of them are really old and need to be updated.

W: Yeah. I once tried to do an assignment for a design class in the computer lab, but I couldn’t because the computers were too old to run the program I needed.

M: Exactly. I’m also worried that the service in the computer labs will deteriorate. There will probably be a lot of students checking out these laptops. Because of this, the staff probably won’t have time to answer questions or help students if they have any problems.

W: I hear you. I just hope the school will reconsider its plan before it’s too late.

The man expresses his opinion about the school’s announcement. Explain his opinion and the reasons he gives for holding it.

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Preparation time: 30 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

1. What does the university hope to do by loaning laptops to students?
   • The university hopes to __.
2. What does the man say about the computers in the computer labs?
   • He says that the computers are __.
3. What does the man say about the workers at the computer labs?
   • The man says that the workers will be too busy checking out laptops to __.

The speakers are discussing their school’s decision to allow students to borrow laptops. The man is not convinced the plan will work. The man gives two arguments to explain his opinion. His first argument is that the computers in the labs are too old. The man believes the school should buy some new computers instead of laptops. He is also worried that the service in the computer labs will deteriorate. He thinks the staff will be too busy renting laptops to help students who are using the labs.

Some students like to take notes during class while other students prefer to concentrate on the lectures. Which do you think is better and why? Include details in your explanation.

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Preparation time: 15 seconds l Response time: 45 seconds

• How do you usually study for your classes?
• What would the teacher think if you sat in class without taking notes?
• In what ways can taking notes make it harder to concentrate?

1. Brainstorm before you choose your position
   • Taking notes:
     • allows you to easily review class material
     • it lets your teacher know you are paying attention
   • Concentrating on the lectures:
     • allows you to more fully focus on the material
     • you can participate more easily when not taking notes
2. Choose your position
   • Taking notes: I prefer taking notes in class rather than concentrating on the lectures.
3. Come up with 2 reasons to back up your argument
   • I cannot remember the whole lecture without taking notes.
   • If I don’t take notes, the teacher will think I don’t care about the class.
4.  Give a concrete example of one of the reasons
   • Notes become crucial when studying for tests and exams. 
5. Conclude with your argument
   • I think that overall taking notes can lead to better grades than simply concentrating on lectures.

Taking notes: I prefer taking notes in class rather than just concentrating on the lectures. To begin with, notes make it easier to study. I can easily look at my notes to review the material covered in my classes. After all, it’s almost impossible to remember every part of a lecture. Furthermore, notes become crucial when studying for tests or exams. I think overall taking notes is better than simply concentrating on lectures.

Concentrating on the lectures: Most students take notes in class. However, I am convinced that concentrating on the lecture is better. One reason is that I can focus on the material being presented. When I take notes, I get distracted. By focusing only on the lectures, I can understand the material better. Concentrating on the lectures also allows me to participate more easily. I can think about the lecture and ask the teacher questions. This way, I remember the material long-term, so I don’t have to study as much outside of class.

Describe your favorite personal possession. Explain why it is your favorite. Include details in your explanation.

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Preparation time: 15 seconds l Response time: 45 seconds

• What are some devices that you always carry with you? 
• Which pieces of technology could you not live without?
• What are some ways that you like to relax?

1. Introduction
   • My favorite possession is my cell phone
2. Come up with supporting ideas
   • it allows me to send text messages
   • it provides entertainment
   • it allows me to communicate with others
   • I can watch television programs with it
   • I can call friends and family members
   • I can download and play games
3. Come up with details to explain two of your supporting ideas
   • communicate with others: I use my cell phone to call and send text messages to my friends and family members.
   • provide entertainment: I can play games on my cell phone.

Of all my possessions, the one that is the most special to me is my cell phone. For starters, my cell phone allows me to communicate with other people. I use my cell phone to call and send text messages to my friends and family members. I also like my cell phone very much because it keeps me entertained. Whenever I’m bored, I can play games on my cell phone. For these reasons, my cell phone is my favorite personal possession.

Now I want to tell you a little bit about animal behavior. Animals use something called display behavior to interact with other members of their species. To explain, I’ll talk about two animals known for their display behavior: the monkey and the peacock. We’ve all seen monkeys at the zoo yelling, seemingly for no reason, but this is actually a display behavior. You see, monkeys yell at other monkeys to gain advantages. Suppose a monkey has found some food. Another monkey also sees the food and wants it as well. In this case, the second monkey will give out a warning yell. This scares the first monkey away from the food. By using display behavior, the second monkey was able to get a meal. Perhaps the most famous example of display behavior comes from peacocks. Male peacocks are well known for their beautiful plumage. It is beautiful to look at, but it serves another purpose. Any idea what this could be? Yes, exactly. It attracts female peacocks. During mating season, male peacocks walk around to show off their plumage. Those with the most beautiful plumage can attract the most females. So, this behavior does not mean much for other animals, but it is essential behavior in peacock mating.

 

Using points and examples from the lecture, explain display behavior.

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Preparation time: 20 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

In the lecture, the instructor talks about the display behavior of animals. She illustrates this by mentioning the display behavior of monkeys and peacocks. First, the instructor claims that monkeys yell at each other as a form of display behavior. If one monkey gets food, another monkey will give out a warning yell. This scares the first monkey away from the food. The instructor then talks about the plumage of male peacocks. She explains that male peacocks use their plumage to attract females. Those with the best plumage attract the most females.

Nearly all businesses spend a great deal of time and money to influence the buying habits of their customers. One of the most effective ways a business can do this is through promotions. Several types of promotions are common. These include advertising campaigns, special discounts, and product placement. The desired result of promotions is to attract more customers. In turn, this helps businesses generate more income.

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Reading time: 45 seconds

Alright, so we know that businesses have several ways to shape their buying habits. Today, I want to talk about one particular strategy, promotions. You see, good promotions are essential for the success of a business. Let me illustrate this with an example. I have a friend who owns a restaurant. His restaurant is quite successful. He always has a lot of customers at dinnertime. In fact, customers usually have to wait in line just to be seated. But he had a problem; his restaurant never had any customers before dinnertime. So, to solve this problem, my friend came up with a promotion. He created an early-bird dinner special. Can you guess what happened? That’s right; he was able to attract many customers during the late afternoon with his promotion. So, as you can see, promotions help a business make more money by bringing in more customers.

The professor explains business promotions by giving one example. Describe the example and how it explains the concept of business promotions.

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Preparation time: 30 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

1. How do promotions help businesses make more money?
   • Promotions help businesses make more money by __.
2. What type of promotion was described by the lecturer?
   • He talked about an early bird special, which is a __.
3. What was the result of the promotion discussed in the lecture?
   • The promotion discussed in the lecture attracted __ to the restaurant before dinnertime.

The reading passage states that businesses use promotions to attract more customers and to generate more income. The lecturer explains this idea by mentioning his friend’s restaurant. The restaurant always has many customers at dinnertime. However, it did not have many customers before dinnertime. To solve this problem, the lecturer’s friend created an early bird dinner special promotion. The plan attracted many customers to the restaurant before dinnertime. So the promotion was a success. This example shows how promotions can bring in more customers and therefore make more money.

State University students:
Over the past school year, several juniors and seniors have moved out of on-campus housing. This has greatly reduced the school’s income. To make up for this, all incoming freshmen will be required to live in the dormitories. The university will provide freshmen with special services. These include free use of laundry machines, study groups and sports teams. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,
Dr. Patricia Levine, President

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Reading time: 45 seconds

W: Did you receive that email about the housing problem from the school president?

M: Yes, I read it this morning.

W: I didn’t realize the school’s financial problems were so serious. But it seems that this plan is the best way to solve the problem.

M: I’m not so sure of that.

W: What do you mean?

M: Well, not all of the incoming students will want to live in the dorms. Maybe they want to live with their parents and save money. If that’s the case, then these students will not enroll at our university. Then there won’t be enough new students for the school’s plan to work.

W: I see what you’re saying. How can the school solve its financial problems then?

M: I think they should lower the price of the dorms. They’re too expensive. That’s why the older students moved out. If they make the dorms less expensive, then more students will live in them.

The man expresses his opinion about the announcement. Explain his opinion and the reasons he gives for holding it.

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Preparation time: 30 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

1. What is the man’s reaction to the announcement?
   • The man disagrees with the woman. He is not sure that the plan __.
2. Why does the university want all freshmen to live in the dormitories?
   • They want the freshmen to live in the dorms in order to make up for their __.
3. Why does the man think this plan will fail?
   • He feels this way because many incoming students will not want to __.

The speakers are discussing the university’s housing policy change. The woman thinks the plan is a good idea. However, the man is not sure it will work. His first concern is that many incoming students will not want to live in the dorms. Consequentially, they will not enroll in the university. If this happens, then the university’s plan will not work. Therefore the man thinks that the school should make the dorms less expensive. If the dorms are less expensive, then more students will choose to live in them.

Is it better to get news from newspapers and magazines, or is it better to get news from television? Use specific reasons and examples to support your preference.

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Preparation time: 15 seconds l Response time: 45 seconds

• Which types of news stories do you like to read about? I like reading world news, Korean news and technology news.
• What is one advantage of newspapers and magazines?
• What is one advantage of television news?

1. Brainstorm before you choose your position
   • Reading Newspapers and Magazines:
     • usually have more detailed coverage
     • more specific information
     • specialty publications
     • a greater variety of news stories
     • can better understand news stories
     • world news, economic news, video games
   • Watching Television:
     • can do other activities while watching 
     • can save time
     • film events as they occur
     • see the day’s main stories in a few minutes
     • able to see news stories
     • reporters interview people
2. Choose your position
   • Reading Newspapers and Magazines: It is much better to get news from newspapers and magazines.
3. Come up with two reasons to back up your argument
   • More details
   • Variety of coverage
4.  Give a concrete example of one of the reasons
   • Includes worlds news, economic news, and even video games
5. Conclude with your argument
   • I would much rather get news from newspapers and magazines

Reading Newspapers and Magazines: In my opinion, it is much better to get news from newspapers and magazines. One reason is their greater detail. Most newspaper and magazine articles have a lot of specific information. This allows me to understand news stories better. Another reason I prefer newspapers and magazines is their variety. Newspapers and magazines cover many different kinds of stories. These include world news, economic news and even video games. Considering this, I would much rather get news from newspapers and magazines.

Watching Television: I prefer to watch television for my news for two reasons. First, television news lets me actually see news stories. News reporters can go live on the scene of breaking news stories. They interview people for news events and film them as they happen. I also enjoy watching the news on television because it saves time. Television news covers the day’s news in just a few minutes. Even though newspapers and magazines have their advantages, I prefer watching television for my news.