In today’s academic preparation lesson, you will practice integrating multiple skills—reading, listening, and writing—through a realistic task modeled on the ITEP Academic-Plus exam. The lesson focuses on the theme of time management challenges in college. You will read a short article, watch a student interview, and then complete an integrated writing and reflection task. This includes summarizing key points from both sources, sharing your own opinion, and giving feedback on a peer’s writing. This practice helps you build stamina, clarity, and coherence—three skills essential for academic success.
Vocabulary
Before beginning the main task, review the following academic words that you will encounter in the reading and listening texts. Make sure to understand their meaning and pay attention to how they are used in context. You will be expected to use at least three of these words correctly in your written summary and opinion.
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| prioritize | to arrange tasks or responsibilities in order of importance | College students must learn how to prioritize assignments over social activities. |
| procrastination | the act of delaying or postponing tasks | Procrastination often leads to increased stress before deadlines. |
| distraction | something that prevents someone from giving full attention | Mobile phones are a common source of distraction during study time. |
| productivity | the effectiveness of effort in producing results | Organized students usually have higher productivity levels. |
| routine | a sequence of actions regularly followed | Establishing a morning routine helps prepare the mind for learning. |
Grammar
In this section, we will review how to use complex sentences with noun clauses and impersonal reporting structures, both of which are useful when writing academic summaries and opinions.
Noun Clauses for Reporting Ideas
Noun clauses are often introduced by that, if, or whether. These structures allow you to embed information from a source into your sentence. For example, instead of saying "The article says time management is difficult," you can write: "The article emphasizes that time management is a common challenge for new college students." Notice how the noun clause "that time management is a common challenge..." functions as the object of the verb emphasizes.
Impersonal Reporting Structures
These constructions are often used in academic writing to maintain a formal tone. For instance, instead of using a personal subject like "The student believes...," you can write: "It is believed that time management skills improve over time." Another example: "It has been observed that students with routines are more productive." These structures help you express ideas objectively and are particularly useful in summaries.
Reading
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