Listen to a conversation between two students.
MALE STUDENT: Hey Cindy. You look happy. Making plans for the summer vacation?
FEMALE STUDENT: I’m just glad the semester is finally over. I just finished my final exams... so I’m taking off for summer vacation tomorrow. Aren’t you?
MALE STUDENT: I wish.
FEMALE STUDENT: What do you mean?
MALE STUDENT: I have to rewrite the lab report for my biology class. I guess I did it all wrong, so the professor is making me rewrite it before he’ll submit a final grade.
FEMALE STUDENT: I guess that’s better than if he just gave you a bad grade on it, right?
MALE STUDENT: I guess so... but I was planning on leaving town tomorrow too. Now I’m not sure I can. I spoke with the professor and he gave me two options...I can either turn in the revised report in one week and get my grade or he said I can wait—you know, take take an incomplete in the class, and submit the paper next semester, in the fall.
FEMALE STUDENT: So are you gonna stay around to revise the report?
MALE STUDENT: I could. I’d get the grade for the class on time and I wouldn’t have to think about it anymore. But there’s a family reunion this weekend. I was really looking forward to it. If I stay around to revise the report, I’ll miss the reunion.
FEMALE STUDENT: Well, maybe you should take your time and work on the report over the summer. You can submit it when you return in the fall semester and get your grade then.
MALE STUDENT: That’d be fine. But what if I need materials from the library to revise the report...I don’t know if I’d be able to find the materials at the library at home.
FEMALE STUDENT: Hmm.
Briefly summarize the problem the speakers are discussing. Then state which solution you would recommend. Explain the reasons for your recommendation.
The man is going to enjoy his summer vacation and have a family reunion this weekend. The problem is that he is required by the professor to rewrite the lab report for biology class before having a final grade.
To solve the problem, the man can rewrite the report either on weekends or during the summer holiday. I prefer the second solution. I believe a qualified report requires more than a weekend to prepare, organize and complete. The shortcoming of lack of material at home can be overcome by borrowing books ahead of time in library. On the other hand, dashing off the report will lose the opportunity of family reunion and ruin the chance of a better score.
