Task 1

a. Explain whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Politicians should
only be allowed to serve one term of 2-4 years.” Then give specific details in your
argument…
b. Professors should make attendance at their classes mandatory. Do you think that this is a
good idea? Give reasons and details to support your argument.

Task 2

a. Read the following announcement from the president of a university (T10):

Effective immediately, the university is instituting a new policy on off-campus visitors. Any
guests are now required to register with campus security and obtain a guest pass which
must be worn at all times. This new policy is necessary in order to keep all the students
safe and to increase campus safety’s knowledge of who is on campus.

The man gives his opinion on the announcement. State the man’s opinion and provide
the reasons he gives for holding it.

b. Announcement

The University Public Safety and Parking Services Department has decided that, effective
at the start of the upcoming academic year, only juniors and seniors will be eligible to
purchase campus parking permits. While there have been a limited number of available
permits for underclassmen over the past few years, the Public Services department and
University administration agree that reverting back to the junior- and senior-only policy is
in the best interest of our campus community. This decision comes with considerable
deliberation and a majority vote. It was determined that the limitation of available spaces
and resultant permit fee posed a prohibitive cost for many of our students. Additionally,
we believe that reserving the privilege of on-campus vehicles for just juniors and seniors
will eliminate the need for the extensive application and lottery process. All interested
upperclassmen will now simply register their vehicle online and pay a nominal parking
permit fee. Lastly, we hope this decision will strengthen our campus community by
encouraging freshmen to stay on campus and engage in any of the many wonderful
campus activities and social functions offered here and eliminate the safety issues
associated with alcohol consumption and driving.

https://www.mometrix.com/academy/toefl/toefl-speaking/toefl-speaking-free-practice-
test/
 The male student expresses his opinion of the University’s new parking permit policy.
State and explain his opinion and compare it with the University’s Public Service
Department’s opinion.

Task 3

a. Both environmentalists and animal rights activists consider captive breeding a solution to
the threat of extinction of certain endangered species. In captive breeding, endangered
animals are caught and bred, and the offspring is then released back into the wild.
Unfortunately, the results of this program have been mixed. In many cases, the animals
that are released back into the wild are unable to survive. The time spent in human
captivity makes it more difficult for them to acquire food and to fit in with other members
of their species.

Play Track 11 on the accompanying CD (or in your Student Tools).

The professor describes the results of a captive breeding experiment. Explain how the
results of the experiment relate to the reading on the topic.

b. Methane is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally as a result of the decomposition
of plant and animal matters. Methane is a hydrocarbon like coal and oil, and it’s all that
remains of long-dead plants, dinosaurs, and other prehistoric animals. Although methane
can be produced by volcanic activity, scientists usually connect the presence of methane
with the presence of biological life. Many microorganisms excrete methane as a waste
product, and scientists often infer the presence of these creatures by measuring the
amount of methane in the air.

Play Track 12 on the accompanying CD (or in your Student Tools).

The professor presents some facts about Mars. Explain how these facts may indicate life.

Task 4

a. Play Track 15 on the accompanying CD (or in your Student Tools).

Using points and examples from the talk, explain how the Internet has contributed to
censorship.

b. Play Track 16 on the accompanying CD (or in your Student Tools).

Using points and examples from the talk, explain how the participants and items in a
ritual represent other things.