Task 1

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Newspapers are a better source of information about current news events than television is. Use details and examples to explain your opinion.

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Task 2

Reading

Professional Director for Spring Musical

Usually, the spring musical, the largest theatrical production of the year, isdirected by students. This year, however, the university has hired a professional theater director, David Franks, to direct the show Mr. Franks has directed many plays during his long, distinguished career in the theater.

University officials think the theater students who sing, dance, and act in the show will learn a lot from working with an accomplished director. Additionally, university officials believe that a professional director will attract larger student audiences. According to one official, “More students

will come to see the show because they’ve heard of Mr. Franks before—they’ll recognize his name.”

The woman expresses her opinion about the change proposed in the announcement. Briefly summarize the change then state her opinion about the change, and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

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Task 3

Reading

Experience Goods

Usually before people buy a product, they already have a good sense of how much they will enjoy it. However, there are some products whose value or usefulness cannot be known until a person has some experience with them. Such products are known as experience goods. Experience goods often cause problems for the companies that sell them because it is hard to convince people to buy something when they are unsure whether they will like it. In order to show people the value of experience goods, companies can give customers free samples or previews so that they can experience a part of the product before they buy it.

Using the example from the lecture, explain what experience goods are and how companies overcome the difficulties of selling them.

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