Reading
Graduation speaker should be a business leader
I think the university should invite a business leader to speak at this year's graduation ceremony - perhaps an executive from one of the large corporations in the area. For students, business leaders are excellent role models because they represent the meaning of professional success. They influence people every day, make important decisions, and have achieved impressive salaries. Furthermore, inviting a business executive will help reinforce to the community that our business program is the biggest and best one in the state. Prospective students will read about the speech and will remember that our university has a strong and attractive business program.
Sincerely,
Ryan Brown
Listening
Narrator: Now listen to two students discuss the letter.
Man: Hey, Carla, did you see Ryan's letter in the paper?
Woman: Yeah, but I have to say I disagree with his proposal.
Man: Oh, yeah?
Woman: You know, it seems like it's always business people who speak at graduation.
At least every year I've been here,
it's always a business person speaking.
Man: Think we could do with some variety?
Woman: I think other professions can be considered, influential and successful,
like, say, teachers.
Man: Teachers are certainly influential and have an important role in the community.
Woman: Yeah, the school should consider having someone from another profession speak,
since business leaders always do it.
Man: Yeah, but what about his point about it being good for the business program?
Woman: Well like Ryan said,
that program is already quite big and well-known.
It doesn't really need the extra attention or free advertising that a graduation speaker would bring.
Man: Hmm... That's true.
Woman: I think our education program could really benefit from the free publicity.
It's a great teacher training program,
but it's not as well-known.
It'd be great if a local teacher could draw attention to it,
which would definitely happen in a speech like that.
Question
The woman expresses her opinion of the idea expressed in the newspaper. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.
