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

　　本题参考答案:

　　I would prefer the second solution suggested by the woman in the dialogue because I think studying with certain measure of pressure is good exercise for one's ability to budget and make full use of time. In this way, making effective schedules is very important for it optimizes the distribution of time resource over different study tasks, keeping the learner from spending time irrationally over long periods of low-efficiency work. Also once a schedule is made, by strictly observing it, a learner can avoid any unconscious behavior of procrastination or slacking off, keeping himself energetic in the alternation of different study tasks. Application for an extension on the paper or assignment might be a good idea, but it does not solve the problem eventually. Sooner or later, all the tasks have to be carried out and sometime it's hard to foresee if another test is one the way…