Task 1

Imagine that you need to find housing next semester and have found two possible apartments. The first apartment is within walking distance to campus, but the rent is a little expensive. The second apartment is farther away from campus, but the rent is more affordable. Which apartment do you think is better? Explain why.

Task 2

Reading

Open House at Campus Gym

Next week, the university will hold an open house event at the gym, in which gym staff will lead an orientation for students and give guided tours of the facility. The university hopes that this event will encourage students to exercise more regularly at the gym by providing basic instruction in how to use the exercise equipment. To motivate students to come to the open house event, those who attend will have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to use toward athletic clothes and accessories at the campus store. At the end of the event, five students will be randomly selected to receive a $50 gift certificate.

The man expresses his opinion about the plan described in the article. Briefly summarize the plan. Then state his opinion about the plan and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

Task 3

Reading

Floral Guards

Flowering plants produce pollen, which is spread by animals that drink the sugary nectar from flowers. This process is necessary in order for flowering plants to reproduce. Sometimes, animals try to drink nectar from a plant without transferring any pollen, which does not benefit the plant. Insects known as floral guards , however, live on a plant and prevent these harmful animals from stealing its nectar. Floral guards play an important role because they preserve nectar for the animals that do benefit the plant by transferring its pollen. The floral guards also receive some benefit from the plant that helps them survive.

Explain how the example in the professor’s lecture illustrates the concept of floral guards and their role in plant reproduction.