Page 141 - TOEFL_Basic-3

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M: Hi , Lisa. You look stressed ‘ What’s the matter?
W: Yes, 1 am. My grandmother is ill but 1 have an exam. 1 don’t know if 1 should postpone the exam or take it
now
M: That’s too bad. Is it serious?
W: Yes. She has a breathing disorder, and the doctor needs to operate urgently. 1 have been studying so hard
for my exams, but now 1 am worried that 1 will be too distracted to do well ‘
M: Won’t your grandmother be unconscious during the operation? She won't be aware of you being there or
not. You are prepared for the exam now so maybe you should take it
W: Yes, she’11 be unconscious, but 1 have a strong bond with my grandmother. She has taken care of me
since 1 was young. 1 feel that 1 should be there with her
M: Then you will have to study for the exam again. You will have other exams to study for at the same time
You don‘t want to exert too much pressure on yourself‘
W: 1 know, but 1ve studied already. 1 have the knowledge for this exam. It should be easy to do later without
’
too much studying
M: 00 you know if the institute will grant or deny you a deferral?
W: They said they will grant it. 1 checked with student services already
M: Well , if it's not imperative that you take it now, then maybe you could defer it. You seem too upset to do
the exam, but then you can’t really do anything for her anyway!
W: 1 know. It is so hard making a decision!
M: Well , good luck deciding, and let me know if 1 can do anything
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W: The conversation is about whether the student should postpone her exams or not. Her grandmother is sick
and needs an operation. The student is worried that she will be too distracted to do well in her exam. She
also feels that she should be there with her grandmother because her grandmother took. care of her when
she was young. She is not sure what the best option is as she has studied hard and is prepared now. If she
gets a deferral she will have to study again and may exert too much pressure on herself. 1 think that she
should postpone her exams. She is too upset and should be with her grandmother
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M: Hi , how are you?
W: Hi.1 ’m not great to be honest. 1 have a sleeping disorder, and it's been really bad lately
M: I'm so sorry to hear that‘ 00 you think that you ’11 be able to take your exams next week?
W: Well , 1 have requested a deferral , and I'm waiting for a reply. But, 1m not certain that 1 should postpone
’
the exams either
M: How long have you been feeling so bad?
W: 1 often have problems sleeping. Around exam times 1 exert so much pressure on myself, and my condition
is much worse. Last week, 1 collapsed in class and was unconscious for a couple of minutes.
M: It sounds like you should postpone the exams for a while. Why are you not sure that you should?
W:Well , 1ve always had this disorder. 1 have studied hard all semester and attended all my classes. If the
’
institute grants me a deferral, 1 don’t know if 1 will perform any better then either. Maybe 1 should take the
exams and get them over with
M: Has the doctor given you medicine? Oon’t you think that will help you relax and be more prepared in a few
months time?
W: That's why 1 have requested a deferral. Hopefully, the medicine will help me relax and concentrate. Also,
a break from studying might be good for me right now
M: 1 guess you’11 have to let the institute decide for you
W: Yes, but 1 think it’s imperative that 1 make my own decision, too. 1 just don’t know what's best for me.

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