TOEFLライティング練習模試03

Read the passage below. You have 3 minutes to read through:

Peat

Over time partially decayed vegetation or organic matter can develop a natural area called a peatland or mire. The layers of decayed vegetation or organic matter create a type of turf called peat. The ecosystem created in these peatlands is the most efficient carbon sink on the planet because the peatland plants capture the CO2 (carbon dioxide) that is naturally released from the peat to maintain the equilibrium in the environment. However, there have been plans to build wind turbines in the peatlands of Scotland. A wind turbine is a device that converts the kinetic energy produced by the wind into electrical power. While this would be ecologically beneficial to create power, it would be harmful to the Scotsman’s economy and to the peatlands.

First of all, building turbines in the peatlands of Scotland would hurt the local tourism industry which is recognized as a key contributor to the Scottish community. The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) published a briefing in 2002 for the Scottish Parliament’s Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee stating that tourism accounted for up to 5% of GDP and 7.5% of employment. The destruction caused in the peatlands would also hurt the production of certain Scotch whisky distilleries who use peat fires to dry the malted barley giving their whiskies a distinctive smoky flavor called “peatiness.”

Also, the release of the buried greenhouse gases that would occur in the process of demolishing the peatlands would be more environmentally unfriendly than the current methods used to produce electricity. This is because of the high concentration of CO2 captured by the plants in the peatlands.

Finally, there are alternative options that would spare the peatlands in Scotland such as building offshore in a shallow sea area. Building in this alternative location, many species of fauna and flora specific to peat wetland environments would be protected. It takes centuries for a peat box to recover from being disturbed so any destruction would be felt for a long time.

The reading and the lecture are both about the prospect of building wind turbines on the peatlands in Scotland. Whereas the author of the reading states that building the turbines would be harmful, the lecturer suggests that the wind turbines will not be detrimental. The lecturer casts doubt on the main points made in the reading by providing three reasons.

First of all, the reading claims that wind turbines will have negative influences on the tourism industry. However, the lecturer refutes this by explaining that nature lovers generally prefer clean environmentally friendly energy. Additionally, he mentions that while the turbines would limit certain spaces in the peatlands, visitors could still travel to these areas.

The second claim in the reading states that building turbines on peatlands will release greenhouse gases, hurting the environment. The lecturer explains the amount of CO2 released will be minimal compared to the amounts produced by the continual use of fossil fuels. The wind turbines will occupy a small amount of space and allow for the peatlands to continue absorbing CO2, while simultaneously reducing our need of fossil fuels.

Lastly, the reading discusses a proposal to build these wind turbines in shallow coastal waters as being a possibility. On the other hand, the lecturer claims that this idea would alter wind patterns crossing the land and cause potentially drastic changes to the local weather. Moreover, he feels that this action would result in expensive damage.

In conclusion, although the reading and the lecture are both about building wind turbines in the Scottish peatlands, the three main points made in the reading are effectively challenged by the lecturer.

More and more students are taking a year away from their studies between graduating from school and beginning university. Students can save for and think about their future during this period, though there are several drawbacks to consider.

To begin with, by taking a year after high school, students can avoid costly mistakes of starting a degree that they are not interested in. A year is a good time to consider options and decide what subject is best to study. Secondly, a gap year is excellent for character development. When graduating high school at 18, most people still don’t know what life direction they wish to take. Studies show that students who take a gap year doing something constructive like traveling do better at university later on than those who do not. Finally, a year away from studies provides the chance to save money. That way, at university, students may focus more on classes, and less on debt.

However, spending such a long time away from studying may cause some students to lose good study habits, and gain bad habits instead. After 12 years of continuous schooling, many teenagers may be distracted by the prospect of earning money and lose the motivation to continue their studies. Furthermore, individuals without a constructive plan for their education-free year may be tempted to procrastinate and waste time. Lastly, traveling overseas can be expensive, and there is a real possibility that students may end up in more debt by the start of the university year.

To sum up, although students who take a year out can save money and achieve greater life-direction, this time may also be wasted, lead to greater debt, or cause unintended life decisions that may later be regretted.