Now listen to a conversation between two students.
Student A
Hey Lisa, how’s it going?
Student B
Hi Mark. Uh, I’m OK, I guess, but my schoolwork is really stressing me out.
Student A
[sympathetically]
Yeah? What’s wrong?
Student B
Well, I’ve got a paper to write, and two exams to study for. And a bunch of math problems to finish. It’s just so much that I can’t concentrate on any of it. I start concentrating on studying for one of my exams, and then I’m like, how long’s it gonna take to finish that problem set?
Student A
Wow sounds like you’ve got a lot more work than you can handle right now. [Not wanting to sound too pushy] Look have you talked to some of your professors...I mean, you know , try to explain the problem. Look, you could probably get an extension on your paper, or on the math assignment...
Student B
You think? It would give me a little more time to prepare for my exams right now.
Student A
Well, I mean another thing that you might do ... I mean have you tried making yourself a schedule? I mean that’s what I do when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Student B
What does that do for you?
Student A
Well, I mean it helps you to focus your energies. You know, you make yourself a chart that shows the next few days and the time till your stuff is due and...
Student B
Uh-huh [meaning “I’m listening”]
Student A
I mean think about what you need to do, and when you have to do it by. You know then start filling in your schedule--like, all right 9:00 [nine] to 11:30 [eleven-thirty] A.M., study for exam. 12:00 [twelve] to 3:00 [three], work on problem set. But I mean don’t make the time periods too long. Like, don’t put in eight hours of studying--you know, you’ll get tired, or start worrying about your other work again. But if you keep to your schedule, you know you’ll just have to worry about one thing at a time.
Student B
Yeah, that might work. [somewhat noncommitally]
Narrator
The students discuss two possible solutions to the woman’s problem. Describe the problem. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Please begin speaking after the beep.
[2 secs beep]
[Appearing on screen]
5. The students discuss two possible solutions to the woman’s problem. Describe the problem. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Preparation time: 20 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
Narrator
Please Listen Carefully
Narrator
You may begin to prepare your response after the beep.
[2 secs beep]
[解析]
这是与听结合的第一个口语任务。这一题型是关于校园生活的，考生听到的是两个人的对话。对话中总会有一个问题提出，这个问题可能只跟其中一个说话者有关，也有可能和两个说话者都有关；在提出问题的同时，对话中总会有两个解决方案提出。考生需要根据听到的内容选一个自己喜欢的解决方案。
这个对话中提出的问题是女学生的功课太多，男学生安慰他并提出两个解决方案，一个办法是教授谈一下，看是否能够推迟交作业这样就能有时间准备考试了；另一个办法就是制定一个时间表。
考生在做出回答的时候，首先应该先明确指出女学生的遇到的麻烦是什么，然后选择一个自己喜欢的方案并加以解释。注意在描述对话中提到的麻烦的时候，一定要很清楚，清楚到让没有听过对话的人也能明白你在讲些什么。注意，选择哪一个方案不会对你的分数的高低有影响，关键是你的观点要有足够的细节作支持。