Speaking

1 A, 2 B, 3 B, 4 A, 5 A, 6 A, 7 A, 8 A, 9 A, 10 B, 11 A, 12 A 

From next Monday, the North Campus cafeteria will move to cashless payments. You’ll be able to pay by debit or credit card, the university app, or a prepaid wristband available from the Student Help Desk.

The change aims to reduce queues at lunchtime and improve hygiene, since we won’t handle coins or notes. For anyone who doesn’t have a suitable card or phone, the Help Desk can issue a temporary prepaid card that you can top up online or at the library kiosk.

Please note that staff discounts and meal plans will still apply automatically when you use the app. During the first two weeks, extra volunteers will be near the tills to assist, and we’ll review feedback at the end of the month.

Phones can be useful in class if we use them with clear limits. One advantage is quick access to information: students can look up vocabulary or take a photo of the board instead of copying everything. Phones also help with organisation, for example, reminder apps for homework.

However, there are obvious disadvantages. They can be distracting, students might message friends, and some may be tempted to cheat during quizzes.

So I’d suggest three simple rules. First, silent mode and face-down on the desk unless the teacher says otherwise. Second, a ‘tech corner’ at the back for short research tasks, so use is visible. Finally, if a phone interrupts the lesson, it’s removed until the end.

With these rules, we can keep the benefits while reducing the problems. 

From 1 March to 30 April, our Operations and Customer Support teams will trial a compressed workweek. Staff will work the same weekly hours across four days, with staggered schedules so that customer coverage remains five days a week.

Participation is voluntary, but you must agree your day off with your line manager to avoid gaps on critical shifts. We’ll monitor service levels, employee wellbeing, and overtime requests during the pilot.

HR will share a sign-up form this afternoon, and we’ll hold mid-pilot check-ins to fix any scheduling issues. At the end, leadership will review the data and decide whether to adopt, adjust, or drop the model. 

STUDENT A

From next Monday until 30 November, the main library will use a seat reservation system during the exam period. You can book up to two 2-hour slots per day through the university app or the library website. There’s a 15-minute grace period; after that, the seat may be released to walk-ins.

Please respect the distinction between quiet zones and group rooms when you book. Accessible seating can be requested in the app, and staff at the Level-1 Help Desk can assist if you have issues.

If you miss two bookings without cancelling, your account will be suspended for 48 hours to ensure fair access. We’ll collect feedback during the first week and make adjustments if necessary. Thank you for helping us keep study spaces available for everyone.

STUDENT B

From 15 January, all business travel must be booked through the new TripHub portal. Requests need manager pre-approval at least seven days before departure. For flights under five hours, economy class is the default; one checked bag is included.

Hotel rates are capped at $160/night in Tier A cities and $120/night in Tier B. Reimbursements for bookings made outside TripHub won’t be processed unless pre-approved by Finance for operational reasons.

Exceptions—for example medical needs or client-specified hotels—require a short justification in the portal and line-manager approval. Per diems remain unchanged. For urgent same-day travel, call the 24/7 Travel Hotline; they can issue tickets and log an approval note. Finance will run 30-minute webinars next week, and a feedback survey will be open until 31 January to refine the policy.

STUDENT C

From next Monday until the end of term, students can sign up for after-school clubs using the School App or the noticeboard QR code outside Reception. Each student may join up to two clubs, and you can join a waiting list if a club is full.

Attendance matters: if you miss three sessions in a row without telling the teacher, your place may be given to the next student on the list. Some activities have a small fee, but bursary support is available—just tick the box on the form.

For safety, all students must sign out at Reception before leaving. A late bus runs at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If a club involves off-site visits or finishes later than 5 p.m., parent or carer consent is required in the app. If you need help, see the Enrichment Office beside the library.

STUDENT D

Mock exams run from Monday 12 to Friday 16 in the Sports Hall. Please arrive 20 minutes early to find your seat; the seating plan will be posted outside by candidate number.

Bring photo ID, two black pens, a pencil, eraser, and any approved calculator—all in a transparent case. You may bring water in a clear, label-free bottle. No phones, smartwatches or earbuds are allowed; switch devices off and place them in your bag at the back of the hall.

If you need the toilet, raise your hand; an invigilator will escort you. Medical arrangements—for example, extra time or medication—must be pre-approved by Friday and confirmed at the Exams Office next to Reception.

If you finish early, stay seated and silent; papers are collected row by row. Academic misconduct leads to a zero and a meeting with your Head of Year. For questions, email exams@school.org before 4 p.m. Friday. 

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of reserving seats during exams?

2. Is a 48-hour suspension fair for repeated no-shows? What alternatives would you suggest?

3. How could the library improve compliance without creating extra stress for students?

1. What benefits and risks do you see in enforcing a single booking portal?

2. How should managers handle genuine last-minute trips that miss the 7-day rule?

3. Are the hotel caps reasonable across locations? What criteria would you use to adjust them?

1. Is limiting students to two clubs fair? What are the advantages and drawbacks of that rule?

2. What is a reasonable policy for students who repeatedly don’t attend without notice?

3. How can the school improve access for families who might struggle with fees or transport?

1. Which rules are the most important for a fair exam environment, and why?

2. How should schools manage digital devices during exams without increasing stress?

3. What could the school do to reduce anxiety on the day (e.g., signage, warm-up rooms, reminders)?

STUDENT A

Thanks for coming. The library will close this Friday at 4 p.m. for two weeks while we add more group tables and install quiet study pods. During the closure, students can borrow and return books at the temporary desk in Room B12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. E-books and online journals are available as normal. Printing will move to the ICT lab, but photocopying won’t be available. When we reopen, we’ll test a new booking app for study spaces for one month. We’ll collect feedback through a short survey link sent to your school email.

STUDENT B

Our science fair runs next Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We need volunteers to guide visitors, answer basic questions, and help set up from 8 a.m. Tables and posters must be ready by 8:45. Each volunteer will cover one zone: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or ‘Everyday Science’. A short script with key phrases will be provided at check-in. Please wear your school T-shirt and closed shoes. Snacks and water are in the cafeteria; take breaks in pairs so each zone stays covered. After 1 p.m., we’ll pack everything into labeled boxes. Certificates for volunteers will be emailed next week 

STUDENT C

From Monday, the Blue bus will no longer stop at North Gate after 5 p.m. Instead, it will run every 15 minutes between Central Station and the Sports Centre. To reach North Gate in the evening, take the Green bus, which adds a stop there at 5:10, 5:40, and 6:10 p.m. Fares stay the same, but tickets will move to a phone app; paper tickets end this month. For safety, all buses will have brighter interior lights and a visible stop button near each door. Please send comments through the transport form on the student portal by Friday. 

STUDENT D

Sports Day is this Thursday. Events start at 8:30 a.m. with the 100-metre heats, followed by relays, and team games after 11. Students should check in at the field gate by 8:00 to collect bib numbers. Bring water bottles; refill stations are beside the bleachers. Due to the heat, caps and sunscreen are required for competitors and spectators. The nurse’s tent is next to the main entrance. If the temperature passes 32°C, we’ll shorten matches and increase break time. The awards ceremony will be at 12:45, and dismissal is at 1:00 p.m. Parents must use the south car park. 

STUDENTS E

Thank you for your patience. The Main Library will close this Friday at 4 p.m. for two weeks to install group tables and three quiet study pods. During the closure, borrowing and returns move to Room B12, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday. E-books and online journals continue as normal. Printing is available in the ICT Lab, but photocopying is not. When the library reopens, we will trial a booking app for study spaces for one month. Students will receive a survey link by email to share feedback. Please check the library webpage for updates about opening hours and the booking system.

1. Do you think the temporary arrangements are enough for most students? Why/why not?

2. Should the school keep the booking app after the trial? Give reasons.

3. If demand is high, what changes would you recommend to improve access?

1. Which zone would you choose to support and why?

2. How could we make the fair more interactive for younger visitors?

3. Should volunteer certificates include hours or specific tasks? Explain.

1. Are these changes likely to help most students after classes? Why/why not?

2. Is moving to app-only tickets a good idea? Consider advantages and risks.

3. What extra measure would you suggest to improve safety or reliability?

1. Which rules are most important for a safe event? Give reasons.

2. If the weather changes, how should the schedule be adapted fairly?

3. What would motivate more students to participate next year?

1. Are the temporary arrangements sufficient for most students? Why/why not?

2. Should the school keep the booking app after the trial? Give reasons.

3. What one improvement would you suggest during the closure?