Statistical surveys are an important way of gathering information about large groups of people. However, some surveys do not include all of the members of a group. When this happens, it is called sampling bias. Sampling bias often occurs because a small number of survey methods are used. The main problem of sampling bias is that it often produces results that are incorrect.

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Reading time: 45 seconds

Now I want to tell you how sampling bias led to one embarrassing news story about the 1948 presidential election. On the night of the election, one newspaper wrote on its front page that Thomas Dewey defeated President Truman in the election. The newspaper wrote this story before the votes were counted. How did the newspaper come up with this headline? It conducted a survey. The problem with the survey was that it was only done over the telephone. Back then, only rich people had telephones. And rich people were more likely to vote for Dewey. But most people wanted to vote for Truman. Since they did not have telephones, not all were not included in the survey. Because of this, the survey was completely wrong. President Truman won the election over Dewey by a huge margin.

The professor explains sampling bias by giving one example. Explain the example and how it explains the concept of sampling bias.

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Preparation time: 30 seconds l Response time: 60 seconds

1. What is the main problem with sampling bias?
   •   The main problem with sampling bias is that it produces __. 
2. What was the survey method talked about in the lecture?
   • The survey method talked about in the lecture was __.
3. How did this survey method affect the results of the survey?
   • This method affected the results by including only __.

The professor explains the sampling bias through one embarrassing news story. Sampling bias is when a survey does not include a certain group of people. It usually creates skewed results. To explain sampling bias, the professor talks about the 1948 presidential election. He explains that one newspaper said that Thomas Dewey beat President Truman in the election. This story was based on a survey that was conducted over the telephone. At that time, only rich people had a telephone and they were more likely to vote for Dewey. Consequently, the result of the survey was completely wrong.

During the upcoming school year, the library is going to reduce the size of its book collection. Thousands of the library’s books sit on the shelves without ever being used. Therefore, we will make the book section smaller. This will allow us to make the student computer center larger. As a result, more students will be able to use computers in the library during exam periods.

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Reading time: 45 seconds

Man: I read in the paper that the university library is going to get rid of many of its books. Personally, I think this is a terrible idea.

Woman: Why is that?

M: I like having a huge selection of books available. That has helped me study for my classes.

W:  I have to completely disagree with you. Getting rid of books that nobody ever uses is a smart move. They are just wasting spaces in the library. The space could be used to create new study areas for students.

M: But if they get rid of the books, how can students do research?

W: These days, most students prefer to do their research on the internet. By making the computer center larger, more students will be able to do schoolwork during busy times.

M: That’s a good point. Maybe getting rid of the books is not such a bad idea after all.

The woman expresses her opinion about the university’s plan. Explain her opinion and the reasons she 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 feels that the plan __
2. What is the woman’s reaction to the announcement?
   • The woman feels differently than the man by saying that the plan is a __.
3. How can students benefit from the plan?
   • Students can benefit because the computer center __.

The man and the woman are talking about the university’s plan to get rid of many of its books. The woman supports the plan. She explains that the books not used by students are simply a waste of space in the library. She feels that the library could use this space to create a new study area for students. The woman also mentions that most students choose to do their research online. Furthermore, the woman believes that more students will be able to do their school work during busy times if the computer center is larger.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should receive money for doing household chores. Include specific details and reasons in your response.

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Preparation time: 15 seconds l Response time: 45 seconds

• What kinds of chores do you usually do? I usually clean my room and take out the garbage.
• How can paying children to do chores motivate them to work harder?
• Why do you think some parents do not pay their children for doing chores?

1. Brainstorm before you choose your position
   • Agree:
     • money is a reason to work hard
     • children do not like doing chores
   • Disagree:
     • everybody should help out
     • adults don’t get paid for doing chores
2. Choose your position
   • Agree: Children should get paid for doing household chores
3. Come up with 2 reasons to back up your argument
   • Children usually do not have a chance to learn the value of hard work
   • Teaches about rewards
4.  Give a concrete example of one of the reasons
   • For instance, my parents gave me an allowance for cleaning up my room. I learned how to organize my room and also learned the value of hard work.
5. Conclude with your argument
   • It is important to teach children about the value of hard work.

Agree: I agree that children should receive money for doing household chores. First, giving money to children for doing chores can encourage them to work hard. Not many children like doing chores. Paying children gives them a reason to help out. Children can also learn about the idea of rewards. Children learn that doing work allows them to get financial rewards. This is a very important lesson in life, so it is important to teach children about the value of hard work.

Disagree: To me, parents should not have to reward their children money for doing chores. First of all, children must learn that everyone in the family needs to take responsibility for doing chores. They need to understand that all family members need to contribute. Paying children for chores is giving them special treatment. Adults also do chores but do not receive any financial reward. Therefore, children should not receive money for doing chores.

What do you think are the most important qualities of a friend in a strong relationship? Include specific details and reasons in your response.

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Preparation time: 15 seconds l Response time: 45 seconds

• What do you like most about your best friend? My best friend is Jim. He is my classmate and is very kind to everyone.
• What is one thing you would change about your best friend?
• What are some things you talk about with your friends?

1. Introduction
   • There are many important qualities that a friend must have, but there are two things that I care about the most.
2. Come up with supporting ideas
   • be able to keep secrets
   • always there to help
   • is trustworthy
   • supportive during difficult times
   • always tells the truth
   • shares common interest
3. Come up with details to explain two of your supporting ideas
   • trustworthiness: I want to be able to share many things from my life with my friend
   • common interest: I want to enjoy spending time with my friend

There are many important qualities that a friend must have, but there are two things that I care about the most. First is trustworthiness. I want to be able to share many things from my life, but I can only do that when I can trust him or her. Another important quality is having common interests. I want to be able to enjoy spending time with my friend, and having an activity or interest we both appreciate is important.