Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they challenge the specific points made in the read passage.
Genetic modification, a process used to change an organism’s genes and hence its characteristics, is now being used to improve trees through genetic modification. It is possible to create trees that produce more fruit, grow faster, or withstand adverse conditions. Planting genetically modified trees on a large scale promises to bring a number of benefits.
First, genetically modified trees are designed to be hardier than nature trees; that is, they are more likely to survive than their unmodified counterparts. In Hawaii, for example, a new pest-resistant species of papaya trees has been developed in response to ring spot virus infections that have repeatedly damaged the native papaya tree population. Planting the genetically modified papayas has largely put an end to the ringspot problem.
Moreover, genetically modified trees promise to bring a numberof economic benefits to those who grow them. Genetically modified trees tend to grow faster, give greater yields of food, fruit, or other products and be hardier. This allows tree farmer to get faster and greater returns on their farming investment and save on pesticides as well.
Finally, the use of genetically modified trees can prevent overexploitation of wild trees. Because of the growing demand for firewood and building timber, many forests around the world are being cut down faster than they can be replaced. Introducing genetically modified trees,designed for fast growth and high yield in given geographic conditions,would satisfy the demand for wood in many of those areas and save the endangered native trees, which often include unique or rare species.
(apologies for not having the audio file, here's an alternative web version:
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The listening passage completely refutes the reading. The reading passage concludes that the genetically modified trees are the solution to several tree problems, whereas the speaker contradicts the reading by providing the following three counter arguments.
First, the lecturer argues that in spite of the resistance of the genetically modified tree, the lack of genetically diversity could be even more dangerous for those trees since a sudden environment change are possibly to wipe out all of them. Thus, the strength does not ensure survival.This directly challenges the argument in the reading that with more power to resist, of modified ones could live easier.
Moreover, the professor indicates that there are some hidden causes to use modified tree. The company may charge higher fees for seeds. Even worse, the farmers are required to pay for seeds every time according to the law. However, the author suggests that there are beneficial to farmers for the modified ones grow faster and result in greater returns. Apparently, this is another place where the speaker disapproves of the reading.
Finally, the speaker states that the implement of genetically modified trees actually does more damages to the local trees. The aggressiveness of those might out compete the local ones for sunlight and water, causing the latter to diminish and die out. This is contrary to the claim in the reading that the usage of modified trees can save those natural ones that are endangered.
a sudden environment change are possibly
a sudden environment change is possibly
there are beneficial to farmers for the modified ones grow faster
there are beneficial to farmers for the modified ones growing faster
there are beneficial to farmers for the modified ones to grow faster
Attribute Value Ideal
Score: 24 in 30
Category: Good Excellent
No. of Grammatical Errors: 2 2
No. of Spelling Errors: 0 2
No. of Sentences: 12 12
No. of Words: 239 250
No. of Characters: 1220 1200
No. of Different Words: 131 150
Fourth Root of Number of Words: 3.932 4.2
Average Word Length: 5.105 4.6
Word Length SD: 2.506 2.4
No. of Words greater than 5 chars: 89 80
No. of Words greater than 6 chars: 74 60
No. of Words greater than 7 chars: 47 40
No. of Words greater than 8 chars: 25 20
Use of Passive Voice (%): 0 0
Avg. Sentence Length: 19.917 21.0
Sentence Length SD: 9.197 7.5
Use of Discourse Markers (%): 0.667 0.12
Sentence-Text Coherence: 0.367 0.35
Sentence-Para Coherence: 0.6 0.50
Sentence-Sentence Coherence: 0.104 0.07
Number of Paragraphs: 4 4