8. Music Coming to Cafeterias
Author
admin
Reading (45 seconds)
Music Coming to Cafeterias
Mary Dixon, Director of the Student Life Committee, announced yesterday that beginning next semester university cafeterias will broadcast classical music during mealtimes. “Music will foster a more relaxed atmosphere.” said Dixon, “Students’ lives are hectic, and mealtimes provide important opportunities to take a break and catch up with friends before moving on to the next class or assignment.” Added Dixon. “We’re also hoping that, if we provide the music, students will unplug their personal music devices—their Walkmans and mp3 players or whatever—and will spend more time talking to each other. When students have their headphones on. They’re not connecting with each other.”
Listening
Preparation time: 30 seconds
speaking time: 1 minute
Texts
M: Did you read this article? Are they serious?
W: Yeah, I think so. Why?
M: Well, first of all, a lot of kids aren’t looking for relaxing break at lunchtime. They like to study while they eat, especially, they have exams coming up or some assignment they have to get done.
W: Yeah, that’s true.
M: And now they won’t be about to concentrate. This is gonna be very distracting.
W: Hmm. Ok. Yeh, I see your point.
M: And, second, most students don’t like classical music.
W: It’s certainly not what I listen to.
M: So are people going to stop listening to their own music?
W: No.
M: I think people will be even more likely to bring their MP3 player, you know, to play their own music to block out the classical stuff.
W: Yeah, that makes sense.
Explanation
Reading part summary
The announcement in the reading passage: Beginning next semester, university cafeterias will introduce the broadcast of classical music during mealtimes.
The first reason: The introduction of classical music is anticipated to cultivate a more serene and relaxed dining atmosphere.
The second reason: The presence of classical music in the cafeteria is expected to prompt students to disconnect their personal music devices and engage in more interpersonal communication.
Listening part summary
The male student’s opposition: The man thinks that it is not a good idea.
The first reason: For many students, lunchtime serves as a valuable opportunity to study and prepare for exams while eating. However, the introduction of classical music broadcasting may pose a challenge to their ability to concentrate, as the music could prove distracting.
The second reason: Given that most students may not have a preference for classical music, there is a likelihood that they will resort to using their own MP3 players to listen to their preferred music. Consequently, the intended effect of encouraging more interpersonal interaction through classical music broadcasting may not be realized.
Sample answer
The reading passage discusses an announcement proposing that university cafeterias will begin broadcasting classical music during mealtimes starting next semester. In the conversation, the man disagrees with this idea. His first reason is that for many students, lunchtime is dedicated to studying and preparing for exams rather than relaxation. With classical music broadcasting, students may find it difficult to concentrate on their studies due to the distraction of the music. His second reason is that most students do not enjoy classical music. Consequently, if classical music is broadcasted, students are likely to bring their own MP3 players to listen to their preferred music, rather than engaging with the classical music being played. Therefore, the broadcasting of classical music may not lead to students unplugging their personal devices and spending more time conversing with each other.
Music Coming to Cafeterias
Mary Dixon, Director of the Student Life Committee, announced yesterday that beginning next semester university cafeterias will broadcast classical music during mealtimes. “Music will foster a more relaxed atmosphere.” said Dixon, “Students’ lives are hectic, and mealtimes provide important opportunities to take a break and catch up with friends before moving on to the next class or assignment.” Added Dixon. “We’re also hoping that, if we provide the music, students will unplug their personal music devices—their Walkmans and mp3 players or whatever—and will spend more time talking to each other. When students have their headphones on. They’re not connecting with each other.”
Listening
Preparation time: 30 seconds
speaking time: 1 minute
Texts
M: Did you read this article? Are they serious?
W: Yeah, I think so. Why?
M: Well, first of all, a lot of kids aren’t looking for relaxing break at lunchtime. They like to study while they eat, especially, they have exams coming up or some assignment they have to get done.
W: Yeah, that’s true.
M: And now they won’t be about to concentrate. This is gonna be very distracting.
W: Hmm. Ok. Yeh, I see your point.
M: And, second, most students don’t like classical music.
W: It’s certainly not what I listen to.
M: So are people going to stop listening to their own music?
W: No.
M: I think people will be even more likely to bring their MP3 player, you know, to play their own music to block out the classical stuff.
W: Yeah, that makes sense.
Explanation
Reading part summary
The announcement in the reading passage: Beginning next semester, university cafeterias will introduce the broadcast of classical music during mealtimes.
The first reason: The introduction of classical music is anticipated to cultivate a more serene and relaxed dining atmosphere.
The second reason: The presence of classical music in the cafeteria is expected to prompt students to disconnect their personal music devices and engage in more interpersonal communication.
Listening part summary
The male student’s opposition: The man thinks that it is not a good idea.
The first reason: For many students, lunchtime serves as a valuable opportunity to study and prepare for exams while eating. However, the introduction of classical music broadcasting may pose a challenge to their ability to concentrate, as the music could prove distracting.
The second reason: Given that most students may not have a preference for classical music, there is a likelihood that they will resort to using their own MP3 players to listen to their preferred music. Consequently, the intended effect of encouraging more interpersonal interaction through classical music broadcasting may not be realized.
Sample answer
The reading passage discusses an announcement proposing that university cafeterias will begin broadcasting classical music during mealtimes starting next semester. In the conversation, the man disagrees with this idea. His first reason is that for many students, lunchtime is dedicated to studying and preparing for exams rather than relaxation. With classical music broadcasting, students may find it difficult to concentrate on their studies due to the distraction of the music. His second reason is that most students do not enjoy classical music. Consequently, if classical music is broadcasted, students are likely to bring their own MP3 players to listen to their preferred music, rather than engaging with the classical music being played. Therefore, the broadcasting of classical music may not lead to students unplugging their personal devices and spending more time conversing with each other.