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Reading:
Replacing Dormitory Kitchens with Study Rooms
The university has announced plans to convert the small kitchens in all of the dormitories into study rooms by the start of next semester. The decision was made because the kitchens are underutilized; a recent survey showed that most students prefer eating at the dining hall, ordering takeout, or using nearby restaurants. Additionally, university officials believe that having more designated study spaces in the dorms will help students concentrate better on their coursework and improve their academic performance, especially during exams when the campus library is often overcrowded.
Listening:
Question:
The woman states her opinion of the proposed plan. Briefly summarize the plan, and then state the reasons the woman gives for her opinion.
Sample Answer:
According to the announcement, the university will convert the small kitchens in the dormitories into study spaces. This is because a survey says that most students don’t really use the kitchens and because the study spaces will help students prepare for exams when the library is crowded. However, the woman thinks this is a terrible idea. She points out that the survey didn’t include students who live very far away from the dining hall and use the kitchens far more often than everyone else. She even says she uses her kitchen quite a lot. Secondly, she points out that people are not going to want to study in a tiny room that will almost certainly be overcrowded. Actually, the study rooms will probably be more crowded than the library, so this new idea doesn’t really solve any problems. For these two reasons, the woman is really opposed to the announcement about the dormitories.