Task 1

Some people are willing to spend a lot of money on a vacation so they can do something special. Others prefer to spend very little money on their vacations. Which do you think is better? Why?

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Task 2

Reading

Letter to the University Newspaper

I am a student who does not own a computer, so I depend on going to the computer lab to type and print all my papers. The problem is that whenever I arrive at the lab, all the computers are already taken and I wind up spending a long time waiting. I suggest we establish a sign-up sheet system that allows students to sign up for and reserve one-hour time slots in advance. This would increase efficiency and save students’ valuable time. It would also reduce the noise from people waiting in the hall outside the lab.

Sincerely,

Stephen Harwood

The woman expresses her opinion about the suggestion described in the letter. State her opinion and the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

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Task 3

Reading

Sweeping Generalization

We often like to formulate ideas or principles that help us make decisions. For example, we may create one general principle, or rule, that we then apply to many different situations. But in this process we may make an error in reasoning, or thinking, if we ignore exceptions to that rule, that is, when we try to apply one general rule to all situations. This error in reasoning is known as a sweeping generalization. It is a mistake to apply one general rule to every situation because most general rules have exceptions in certain circumstances.

Explain how the professor’s experience in the café illustrates the concept of a sweeping generalization.

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