Reading: The Library Mural
A school library is planning a mural. The librarian, Mr. Chen, has received two proposals. Proposal A, by a group of Year 10 students, shows a detailed scene from a fantasy novel with dragons and castles. It would cover the entire back wall and use dark, rich colours. Proposal B, by the art club, shows a simple design of open books turning into birds, with bright colours and large empty spaces for students to add their own drawings. Mr. Chen likes both but is worried about cost and maintenance. He also wants the mural to reflect the whole school, not just one group. The student council will vote, but Mr. Chen has the final say. He asks for a short written analysis of the two proposals before the vote.
1. Based on the text, what are two advantages of Proposal B that Mr. Chen might value? Explain using evidence from the setup.
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One advantage is that Proposal B includes 'large empty spaces for students to add their own drawings', which means it can involve more students over time and reflect the whole school, addressing Mr. Chen's concern that the mural should not represent just one group. Another advantage is that it is 'simple' with 'bright colours', which may be cheaper and easier to maintain than the detailed, dark scene of Proposal A. The text says Mr. Chen is worried about cost and maintenance, so a simpler design with fewer intricate details could be less expensive to paint and touch up. Also, bright colours might make the library feel more welcoming, though the text does not say that directly. The key is that Proposal B's participatory and simple nature aligns with Mr. Chen's stated concerns.
2. What is one disadvantage of Proposal A that Mr. Chen might consider, and how could the Year 10 students adjust their proposal to address it?
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One disadvantage is that Proposal A covers the entire back wall with a detailed fantasy scene, which may be costly to paint and maintain, and it reflects only one group's interest (Year 10 students who like that novel). Mr. Chen wants the mural to reflect the whole school, so a single-group proposal might not meet that goal. To address this, the Year 10 students could incorporate elements that allow other students to contribute, such as adding a border where other students can paint small designs, or they could choose a scene that is more inclusive or combine their idea with the art club's. They could also simplify some details to reduce cost. The text does not say they must change, but adjusting to address Mr. Chen's concerns would make their proposal stronger.