Complete Speaking Practice

QUESTION 1

Do you think it is better to marry before or after the age of thirty? Use reasons to support your response.
Do you like to try new kinds of food or eat the same kind of food all the time? Use details and examples to support your answer.
Do you prefer to go out to dinner or stay home and cook a meal? Use reasons to support your response.
Would you prefer to take a trip by plane or by train?
Would you like to live in a big city or a small town?
Do you think it is better to study alone or study with friends?
Do you prefer to play sports or watch sports?
Would you prefer to go to the opera or to a football game?
Do you make decisions quickly or take your time making them?
Do you think children should always obey their parents, or are there times when it is not necessary for children to obey?
Some students prefer to study in a groupor with a friend or two. Others prefer to study by themselves. Which method you think is better and why?Use details and examples to support your choice.
Some people always like to have people around them. Others would rather spend time alone. Which way do you prefer to spend your free time and why? Use details and examples in your choice.
Some people think that books and other methods of print are slowly being replaced by the Internet, TV, and other media. Others think that there will always be a need for printed material. What do you think and why? Give examples and details in your response.

Speaking test QUESTION 2

Reading time 50 seconds

Music coming to the cafeterias.

Mary Dixon, Director of the Student Life Committee, announced yesterday that beginning next semester, university cafeterias will broadcast classical music during mealtimes. “Music will foster a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Dixon. “Students’ lives are hectic, and mealtimes provide important opportunities to take a break and catch up with friends before moving on to the next class or assignment.” Added Dixon, “We’re also hoping that, if we provide the music, students will unplug their personal music devices—their Walkmans™ and MP3 players or whatever—and will spend more time talking to each other. When students have their headphones on,they’re not connecting with each other.”

Listen to the conversation now:

t9_music_cafeteria.mp3

The man expresses his opinion of the university’s plan. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

QUESTION 3

Preparation time: 30 seconds

Response time: 60 seconds

Behavior Modification

Individuals often modify their behavior based on what they have learned about the possible consequences of their actions. When an individual learns through experience that a certain behavior results in pleasant consequences, that behavior is likely to be repeated. An unpleasant consequence, on the other hand, discourages further repetition of the behavior. While behavior modification can be observed in experiments, it also occurs frequently in everyday settings, when individuals change their behavior based on what they have learned about the consequences of that behavior.

Now listen to the talk:

t10_behavior_modification.mp3

QUESTION 4:

LISTEN TO THE LECTURE

Using points and examples from the lecture, explain the two major factors of product quality and how their role in consumer decision making has changed.

Using points and examples from the lecture, explain the two major factors of product quality and
how their role in consumer decision making has changed.

QUESTION6_quickprep.mp3