Task 1

Do you agree or disagree that people will read less in the future. Give examples and details in your answer.

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Task 2

Teacher Evaluations

In this opinion letter submitted to the University newspaper, I would like to recommend that teacher evaluations be posted to the University website. It is my opinion that the creation of publicly accessible teacher evaluations will serve as a great motivation for teachers to continue to strive to uphold the highest level of scholarship and professionalism in the classroom. Additionally, I also believe that online teacher evaluations will help students understand a particular professor’s teaching style and classroom expectations. In this way students can better understand a professor prior to enrolling in their class.

In the listening the woman expresses her opinion about posting online teacher evaluations. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

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Task 3

Reactance Theory

Reactance theory outlines the consequences that occur when individuals perceive their freedoms are threatened or lost. This theory is based on the notion that people desire freedom of choice and if this freedom is removed by external constraints then there will be a negative aversive response. A threat to free behaviors excites a motivational state, which is aimed at recapturing the affected freedoms and preventing the future loss of others. Simply put, when people feel that their freedom to choose an action is threatened, they get an unpleasant feeling called ‘reactance’. This also motivates them to perform the threatened behavior, thus proving that their free will has not been compromised.

How do the examples given by the professor help illustrate the meaning of reactance theory? Use specific details in your answer.

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