TOEFL Speaking Task 2

Campus Announcement: Starting next semester, the university library will extend its weekday hours to 2 AM and add a new 24-hour study lounge on the first floor. To fund these changes, the library will reduce its budget for new book purchases by 20%. The administration believes this will better meet student needs for late-night study spaces.

M: Did you see the announcement about the library? I think it's a great idea. I'm always up late studying for exams, and the current 10 PM closing is way too early. The new 24-hour lounge would be perfect for me. Plus, I rarely use the library's physical books anymore—I get most articles online, so cutting the book budget doesn't bother me. W: Really? I disagree. I think it's a terrible trade-off. Many of my classmates in the humanities need access to specialized books, and a 20% cut means fewer resources for research. Also, the 24-hour lounge will likely be noisy and crowded, which will make it hard to concentrate. I'd rather have the library stay open until midnight quietly than have a noisy all-night option.