Task 1

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Schools that encourage students to be creative and use their imagination produce the most successful students.

Use details and examples to explain your opinion.

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Task 2

Reading

Visiting Researchers for Two Classes

Dear Students,
During two of our scheduled class meetings this semester, I will be away for a conference and won’t be teaching the class. On these days, visiting researchers will lead the biology class in my class. I’ve decided to invite these researchers so that I don’t have to cancel the classes while I’m away. Also, these guest speakers, who are active in the field of biology, will be discussing their recently published research, and you’ll benefit by learning something new and different from the course material.

Sincerely,

Professor Jones

The woman expresses her opinion about the plan described in the professor’s e-mail. Briefly summarize the plan. Then state her opinion about the plan and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

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Task 3

Reading

Economy of Scale

A company must pay certain costs to manufacture products. Some of these production costs are fixed – they remain the same regardless of the number of products the company produces. Thus, if a company manufactures more of a certain product, the cost of producing each individual item decreases, because fixed costs are spread out over more items. This effect is known as economy of scale. Economy of scale makes it advantageous for a company to manufacture products in large quantities or on a large scale. While the cost of materials needed to increase, production of an item increases, the company’s fixed costs do not, and its profits rise as more products are sold.

Explain how the example used in the lecture illustrates the concept of economy of scale.

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