Reading Passage

The university library has announced a change in its operating hours. Starting next week, the library will extend its hours to stay open until midnight from Monday to Thursday. This decision aims to provide students with more flexibility for study sessions and access to library resources. The library will continue to open at 8 AM as usual, and weekend hours will remain unchanged. The university administration believes that these extended hours will better accommodate students' varied schedules and enhance their academic performance.

Listening Transcript

John: Hey, did you hear about the library staying open later now?

Emily: Yeah, I think it’s a fantastic idea! I usually end up studying late because of my part-time job, so this is perfect for me.

John: Really? I was thinking it might not make much of a difference.

Emily: Well, for one, it gives students like me who work during the day a chance to use the library's resources more effectively. Also, it helps reduce the rush and crowd in the evenings. Before, it was always so packed around 9 PM, and finding a spot was almost impossible.

John: I guess that makes sense. I hadn’t thought about the crowding issue before.

Emily: Exactly! Plus, it aligns with how people tend to study these days. More students are becoming night owls, and this change supports their habits much better.

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 announces that the university library will extend its hours until midnight from Monday to Thursday to help students study more effectively. In the conversation, Emily supports this change because it fits better with her schedule as she works during the day. She appreciates the extended hours because it allows her to use the library when it's less crowded, which makes finding a place to study easier. Additionally, she notes that many students prefer studying late at night, and the new hours align with these study habits, making it beneficial for night owls.