Reading passage

The university will be adjusting its campus shuttle service schedule starting next Monday. The new schedule will include extended evening hours, with the last shuttle departing at midnight instead of 10 PM. This change aims to accommodate students who have late classes or study sessions. Additionally, the frequency of shuttles during peak hours will be increased to reduce wait times. The updated schedule will be posted on the university website and at all shuttle stops.

Listening transcript

Student A: Did you hear about the new shuttle schedule starting next week? I think it's a great change.

Student B: Yeah, I saw the announcement. Why do you think it's so great?

Student A: Well, for one, having the shuttles run until midnight is perfect for people like me who often stay late at the library. I won't have to worry about how to get back to my dorm anymore.

Student B: That's true, but what about the cost? Do you think extending the hours will increase our fees?

Student A: I doubt it. The university said they were optimizing the routes to cut down on fuel costs, so hopefully, it balances out. Plus, more frequent shuttles during peak times means less waiting around, which is always a plus.

Student B: Yeah, I guess not having to wait as long would be nice.

Speaking task instruction

The reading passage describes a campus policy or announcement. The student in the conversation expresses an opinion about it and gives reasons. Summarize the announcement and explain the student’s opinion and reasons. Preparation time: 30 seconds, Response time: 60 seconds.

Sample student response

The reading passage tells us that the university is changing the shuttle schedule to extend hours and increase frequency. In the conversation, one student supports this change. They like that shuttles will run until midnight, which helps students who study late. They also appreciate the increased frequency during peak times, reducing wait times. The student believes these changes are beneficial, even if there might be concerns about costs, because the university plans to optimize routes to manage expenses.