CET-4 Listening Practice: The Sharing Economy on Campus

Walk around any university campus today, and you will notice something interesting. Students no longer need to own many of the things they use every day. Instead, they simply share them, and this is often called the sharing economy. Take shared bikes as an example. You scan a code with your phone, and the lock opens in seconds. A short ride to the library usually costs only one or two yuan. Shared power banks work in a similar way. If your phone is dying before a lecture, you can rent one from a machine nearby. Second-hand textbooks are another great example! Many students swap their old books with younger students instead of throwing them away. The advantages are easy to see. Students save a lot of money, because they only pay for what they actually use. Sharing also means less waste, since one bike or one book can serve many people. And of course, it is extremely convenient when you are in a hurry. However, the sharing economy also brings some serious problems. Shared bikes are often left everywhere, blocking paths and the entrances to buildings. Some users treat shared items carelessly, so you may find a bike with a broken seat. Deposits are another worry for many students. Some companies have closed down without giving the deposits back to their users. On top of that, every app collects personal data, such as your phone number and location. If this information is not protected, it could easily be misused. So, is the sharing economy good or bad for students? In my view, it is a useful tool, as long as we use it responsibly. Park bikes in the proper areas, and report broken items when you find them. Before you pay a deposit or download an app, read the rules carefully. After all, sharing only works when everyone takes care of what they share.