Task 1

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Because of the increasing popularity of entertainment technology fewer people are taking the time to read books for pleasure.

Use details and examples to support your opinion.

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Task 2

Reading

Train Station Closing

The local train company currently maintains a shot train line that connects the university campus with the main train line in the city of Northdale. However, next year the train company will discontinue this service and close the campus train station. The company made the decision to close the line following two years of decreasing passenger numbers on the service. In order to continue to make use of the historic train station building, the university plans to convert the building into a coffee shop and study space for students.

The woman expresses her opinion about the plan described in the article. Briefly summarize the plan. Then state her opinion about the plan and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

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Task 3

Reading

Effort Justification

People do not like to admit to themselves and others that they have wasted effort on something that is unimportant. Therefore, if people work hard to attain or accomplish something, they tend to subconsciously justify or defend the effort they made, so that it seems worthwhile. This is known as effort justification. Because of effort justification when people are required to exert significant effort to achieve or gain access to something, they tend to place a higher value on that accomplishment than if they were to attain with little effort. Regardless of the actual attribution of the achievement, simply having worked hard for it makes it seem more valuable in the person’s mind.

Explain how the example in the lecture illustrates the concept of effort justification.

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