1. Reading passage

The Prisoner's Dilemma is a fundamental concept in game theory, a branch of mathematics and economics that studies strategic decision-making. In this scenario, two individuals, acting in their self-interest, engage in a situation where cooperation would benefit both, but there is also a temptation to betray the other for personal gain. The outcome of each player's decision depends not only on their own choice but also on the choice made by the other player.

2. Listening transcript

Now, let's delve into the Prisoner's Dilemma. Imagine two suspects, Alice and Bob, are arrested for a crime. They are separated and offered a deal: if one confesses and testifies against the other, they receive a reduced sentence, but if both confess, they both get a moderate sentence. If neither confesses, they will each get a light sentence. In this situation, betrayal seems like the rational choice, but if both betray each other, the overall outcome is worse for both.

3. Speaking task instruction

Explain the concept of the Prisoner's Dilemma from the reading and use the examples of Alice and Bob to illustrate how it works. Preparation time: 30 seconds, Response time: 60 seconds.

4. Sample student response

The Prisoner's Dilemma is a situation where two people must decide to cooperate or betray each other. For example, Alice and Bob face this dilemma when deciding to confess or stay silent to reduce their sentences. If both betray each other, they end up with a moderate sentence, which is worse than if they had both stayed silent. This shows how individual choices impact the collective outcome, highlighting the complexity of strategic decision-making.