1月11日托福考情 題目難度還是很友好的！寫作上下午場整套命中！

1月11日托福考試落下帷幕考情速遞也已經出爐了！題目難度還是很友好的！寫(xie) 作上下午場整套命中！口語部分重複舊題.......

同學們(men) 覺得這次考得如何？期待備考同學們(men) 都能順利上岸！

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R1

麥羅埃王國興(xing) 衰

麥羅埃王國乃古代非洲一關(guan) 鍵國度，其前身是努比亞(ya) 地區地方統治者所建的庫施王國。庫施王國於(yu) 公元前10世紀漸與(yu) 埃及分庭抗禮，以納帕塔為(wei) 都。公元前750年，庫施王卡什塔攻克上埃及重鎮底比斯，其子皮安基又拿下孟斐斯，彼時庫施勢力如日中天，掌控了尼羅河大部分流域。不過，約公元前661年，亞(ya) 述人來襲，庫施人隻得撤出埃及，重返納帕塔。公元前590年左右，因埃及第二十六王朝進犯，庫施遷都至麥羅埃。麥羅埃坐落於(yu) 尼羅河第五、六瀑布間的河穀平原，此地自然資源豐(feng) 饒，鐵礦、木材儲(chu) 量頗豐(feng) ，助力王國走向興(xing) 盛。

麥羅埃憑借鐵礦、木材等自然資源，推動了鐵器產(chan) 業(ye) 的繁榮。曆經亞(ya) 述鐵器的衝(chong) 擊後，麥羅埃鐵器生產(chan) 不僅(jin) 助力農(nong) 業(ye) 、木材采伐，還打造出眾(zhong) 多兵器。考古發現顯示，麥羅埃或為(wei) 當時非洲最大煉鐵中心，其產(chan) 品與(yu) 技術不斷流向西方、南方。然而，木材的過度砍伐引發環境惡化，給王國帶來諸多不利影響。

麥羅埃南部充沛的降雨使農(nong) 業(ye) 產(chan) 量大幅提升，可種植高粱、小米等熱帶作物，且耕種範圍能拓展至尼羅河較遠處。此外，王國借鑒埃及水車（saqia）改進灌溉技術，還通過修築大壩促進畜牧業(ye) 發展。這些舉(ju) 措既增加了糧食產(chan) 出，又推動了畜牧業(ye) 繁榮，讓麥羅埃經濟愈發昌盛。

麥羅埃的地理優(you) 勢使其成為(wei) 貿易重鎮，連接撒哈拉以南商品與(yu) 地中海、印度、遠東(dong) 的貿易網絡。但自公元2世紀起，羅馬在埃及的暴政、貿易路線的險惡，以及東(dong) 南部阿克蘇姆王國的崛起，使麥羅埃貿易遭受重創。最終，公元350年，阿克蘇姆王埃紮納率軍(jun) 沿阿特巴拉河進發，攻陷麥羅埃城，庫施王國就此覆滅。

R2

高羊茅草與(yu) 真菌互利共生

互利共生是一種雙方相互依存、彼此獲益的共生現象。高羊茅草（Lolium arundinaceum）與(yu) Epichloe coenophiala真菌之間的關(guan) 係便是互利共生的典型代表。該真菌寄生於(yu) 高羊茅草地上部分，從(cong) 草中獲取全部營養(yang) ，而草卻無任何外部病症或患病跡象。

高羊茅草是多年生冷季型草坪草，具備很強的適應性和良好的抗逆性，常被用作牧草及草坪草。不過，它與(yu) 牛馬健康問題的聯係也需引起重視。研究發現，牛體(ti) 重增長放緩、奶牛產(chan) 奶量減少，母馬妊娠期流產(chan) 率升高、產(chan) 後產(chan) 奶能力下降，都與(yu) 食用了感染Epichloe coenophiala真菌的高羊茅草密切相關(guan) 。這種真菌產(chan) 生的生物堿是引發上述健康問題的關(guan) 鍵所在。

Epichloe coenophiala真菌通過合成生物堿發揮防禦性互利共生作用。其一種生物堿能抑製昆蟲，從(cong) 而使高羊茅草更耐昆蟲侵害。這些化學物質不僅(jin) 守護草本身免遭食草動物和昆蟲侵擾，還會(hui) 對周邊微生物群落產(chan) 生影響。

與(yu) 一般真菌靠空氣傳(chuan) 播不同，Epichloe coenophiala真菌通過種子傳(chuan) 播，尤其是感染發育中的種子胚芽來實現傳(chuan) 播。這種傳(chuan) 播方式給真菌在種子長期保存中的存活帶來了難題。研究人員正致力於(yu) 探索處理感染種子的方法，以培育出不含真菌的高羊茅植株。

雖然Epichloe coenophiala真菌對牲畜不利，但在草坪、運動場等場景下，其增強的抗蟲性卻大有裨益。而且，隨著基因編輯技術的不斷進步，科學家們(men) 正在嚐試利用該技術培育出既抗蟲又不對牲畜造成傷(shang) 害的牧草新品種，這既能有效解決(jue) 牲畜健康問題，又能提升高羊茅草在多種用途中的價(jia) 值。

R3

阿茲(zi) 特克帝國的農(nong) 業(ye) 灌溉

阿茲(zi) 特克帝國的灌溉農(nong) 業(ye) 堪稱其農(nong) 業(ye) 革新的核心成果，覆蓋了墨西哥中部與(yu) 南部的廣袤地域。在地勢較為(wei) 平坦的低窪地及淺湖床地帶，阿茲(zi) 特克人運用洪水灌溉方式，此法較傳(chuan) 統輪作更為(wei) 密集，可產(chan) 出更多農(nong) 產(chan) 品剩餘(yu) ，進而支撐起龐大人口。這種灌溉農(nong) 業(ye) 的高效性能，讓阿茲(zi) 特克帝國得以在有限土地上產(chan) 出高量農(nong) 作物，為(wei) 帝國昌盛築牢根基。

奇南帕是阿茲(zi) 特克灌溉農(nong) 業(ye) 中最為(wei) 密集的模式，乃是從(cong) 淡水湖淺水區開墾出的高產(chan) 農(nong) 田。其建造方式是將植被與(yu) 泥土交替堆疊，且在淺湖區栽種柳樹，借助柳樹根係固定土壤，打造出極為(wei) 肥沃的根基。這一獨特建造手法，既提升了土地肥力，又借柳樹根係穩固土壤，防止水土流失，使奇南帕能在水中穩定存在，成為(wei) 阿茲(zi) 特克農(nong) 業(ye) 的鮮明特色。

在奇南帕之上，阿茲(zi) 特克人栽種了諸如玉米、豆類、辣椒、莧菜、番茄、鮮花等眾(zhong) 多作物，種植技藝也極為(wei) 高超，先讓種子在種床上發芽，再移植至奇南帕，該技術讓不同作物種植周期得以重疊，從(cong) 而增加農(nong) 產(chan) 品產(chan) 量與(yu) 連續種植的可能。這種高效的種植管理手段，使奇南帕一年內(nei) 能多次收獲，大幅提升了農(nong) 業(ye) 生產(chan) 效率。

奇南帕在阿茲(zi) 特克帝國經濟中占據重要地位，尤其在城市區域，它供應新鮮蔬菜與(yu) 花卉，滿足城市居民所需。在鄉(xiang) 村地帶，奇南帕對家庭生計的貢獻同樣不可小覷，不僅(jin) 為(wei) 農(nong) 民帶來穩定收入，還在社會(hui) 交換與(yu) 狀態分配中發揮關(guan) 鍵作用。憑借奇南帕的農(nong) 產(chan) 品，阿茲(zi) 特克人得以在社會(hui) 中有效分配資源，維係社會(hui) 的穩定與(yu) 和諧。

奇南帕的地理與(yu) 曆史背景也頗為(wei) 引人矚目。它們(men) 主要分布於(yu) 墨西哥盆地南部湖岸地區，尤其是索奇米爾科和查爾科周邊。這些地方的奇南帕高產(chan) ，可保障小家庭自給自足。在阿茲(zi) 特克文明時期，奇南帕作為(wei) 高效的灌溉農(nong) 田係統，通過在淺水湖床建造長方形農(nong) 田，以植物泥土層層疊加，並依靠柳樹根係固定，實現持續農(nong) 業(ye) 生產(chan) 。這些農(nong) 田不僅(jin) 產(chan) 出玉米、豆類、辣椒、花卉等多樣作物，還采用種床技術，使作物種植與(yu) 收獲周期重疊，提高農(nong) 作物產(chan) 量與(yu) 效率。在城市與(yu) 鄉(xiang) 村地區，奇南帕滿足不同經濟需求，為(wei) 阿茲(zi) 特克人提供穩定豐(feng) 富的糧食與(yu) 農(nong) 產(chan) 品供應。

R4

蜜蜂的行為(wei)

蜜蜂的行為(wei) 發育極具靈活性。一個(ge) 蜜蜂群體(ti) 一般由數以萬(wan) 計的無性別女工蜂組成，它們(men) 都圍繞著一隻蜂王忙碌。剛出生的工蜂在成長初期，主要任務是喂養(yang) 蜂王所產(chan) 幼蟲，大約三周後，它們(men) 便開始外出采集花粉和花蜜，為(wei) 整個(ge) 蜂群提供關(guan) 鍵的食物資源。

從(cong) 護理到采集食物的轉變並非偶然，而是受到激素變化的嚴(yan) 格控製。年幼的護理工蜂血液中幼蟲激素濃度較低，而隨著年齡增長，年長的采集蜂血液中幼蟲激素濃度會(hui) 升高。有意思的是，幼蜂經幼蟲激素處理後，會(hui) 提前轉變為(wei) 采集者。而且，采集蜂的腦部有更大的蘑菇體(ti) ，這有助於(yu) 它們(men) 識別空間標記，從(cong) 而能在蜂巢和花朵間靈活穿梭，精準地采集花粉和花蜜。

實驗進一步證實了蜜蜂行為(wei) 發育的靈活性。即使蜂群中所有工蜂年齡相仿，它們(men) 仍會(hui) 呈現出明確的分工。部分工蜂會(hui) 比一般情況更長時間地從(cong) 事護理工作，而另一些工蜂則比平均時間早兩(liang) 周開始采集食物。這種靈活性極為(wei) 關(guan) 鍵，它既確保了幼蟲能得到持續照料，又保障了蜂群的食物供應，維持了整個(ge) 群體(ti) 的穩定與(yu) 繁榮。

社會(hui) 環境對蜜蜂行為(wei) 發育影響顯著。在蜂群中，與(yu) 年長采集蜂接觸較少的護理工蜂可能會(hui) 被刺激去從(cong) 事采集行為(wei) 。實驗顯示，向由年輕工蜂組成的實驗性蜂群中加入年長采集蜂時，會(hui) 抑製護理工蜂早期轉變為(wei) 采集者的比例。這表明年輕工蜂的行為(wei) 發育受社會(hui) 環境調節，通過調節關(guan) 鍵激素釋放來影響腦結構變化，進而影響其行為(wei) 模式。

研究還發現，遺傳(chuan) 變異也在一定程度上影響著蜜蜂行為(wei) 發育的速度。在相同條件下，不同基因型的蜜蜂對相同蜂巢環境反應各異，其中一些基因型的蜜蜂比其他基因型更快地從(cong) 護理工轉變為(wei) 采集者。這些基因型可能影響幼蟲激素的產(chan) 生速度，或影響個(ge) 體(ti) 對蜂群年齡組成變化的敏感性。這種遺傳(chuan) 與(yu) 環境相互作用的複雜機製，共同塑造了蜜蜂獨特高效的社會(hui) 行為(wei) 模式，使其能在自然界中生存繁衍，為(wei) 人類提供珍貴的蜂蜜等產(chan) 品，同時也為(wei) 植物授粉發揮著不可替代的作用。

R5

羅馬帝國的興(xing) 衰

羅馬帝國曾是古代世界極具影響力的強大帝國之一，然而隨著時間的流逝，它逐步走向衰敗。經濟衰退是羅馬帝國衰敗的關(guan) 鍵因素之一。羅馬經濟在很大程度上是靠戰爭(zheng) 掠奪來支撐的，而非依賴生產(chan) 活動。羅馬主要依賴從(cong) 非洲及西西裏獲取的糧食以及金錢借貸來維係經濟運作。但當征服的土地不再能帶來新財富時，帝國便陷入財政困境。為(wei) 解決(jue) 財政難題，羅馬皇帝們(men) 開始貶值貨幣，致使貨幣購買(mai) 力持續下滑。於(yu) 是，富人們(men) 紛紛將資金投入土地，因土地價(jia) 值相對穩定，能更好地保全其財富。

經濟衰退還促使眾(zhong) 多富人從(cong) 城市遷往鄉(xiang) 村的別墅生活。這種遷徙對城市經濟造成了極為(wei) 嚴(yan) 重的衝(chong) 擊，因為(wei) 這些富人是城市商業(ye) 的重要消費群體(ti) 。隨著富人的離去，城市中的商人也失去了顧客，紛紛離開城市，致使許多城市麵積縮減，甚至淪為(wei) 廢墟。

此外，帝國總人口的銳減進一步加劇了經濟困境。盡管人口從(cong) 7000萬(wan) 降至5000萬(wan) ，羅馬帝國仍維持原有的行政和經濟責任，未縮減疆域或減輕負擔。為(wei) 應對人口減少引發的問題，羅馬政府將幾乎所有行業(ye) 都組織為(wei) 世襲行會(hui) ，這一製度將所有工匠和商人束縛在終身職位上。尤其是當地官員（curiales）被強加了過多的稅收和供給責任，甚至被當作對宗教群體(ti) 的懲罰工具。到5世紀初，該製度幾乎覆蓋了所有城市和行業(ye) ，引發了更嚴(yan) 重社會(hui) 和經濟問題。

R6

非洲塞倫(lun) 蓋蒂動物的遷徙

每年在非洲塞倫(lun) 蓋蒂平原，都會(hui) 上演一場震撼人心的動物大遷徙。數百萬(wan) 頭角馬、斑馬和瞪羚會(hui) 在旱季離開草原，向降水豐(feng) 沛的地區進發尋找食物。這些動物遷徙，既是對環境變化的應對，也是為(wei) 了獲取特定營養(yang) 素，比如磷，因為(wei) 林地食物中磷含量往往不足。

遷徙可看作是一種生態機會(hui) 主義(yi) 行為(wei) 。旱季草原環境惡劣，難以長期生存；雨季草原又變得肥沃，適宜棲息覓食。動物們(men) 在草原與(yu) 林地間遷徙，充分利用兩(liang) 地食物資源，以此維係生存。這種遷徙模式，不僅(jin) 利於(yu) 動物獲取充足食物，還能助其躲避天敵捕食，提升生存率。

雖然遷徙看似雜亂(luan) 無章，實則斑馬、角馬和瞪羚的遷徙有著清晰規律，這與(yu) 它們(men) 體(ti) 型差異及消化生理緊密相關(guan) 。斑馬能消化大量低質食物，瞪羚需高質量食物，角馬則需適中質量食物。這使得它們(men) 在遷徙中能高效利用不同食物資源，降低競爭(zheng) 。

科學研究發現，斑馬常率先離開草原，啃食枯草，露出營養(yang) 草葉。隨後，角馬吃掉剩餘(yu) 草料，留下肥料促新草生長。數周後，原本荒蕪草原便成營養(yang) 豐(feng) 富新綠草地，正契合瞪羚食物需求。

聽力

C 1

一名學生和餐飲服務工作人員說她父母為(wei) 她購買(mai) 了每學期235頓的餐食計劃meal plan，但她認為(wei) 太多了，想明年換到最小的餐飲計劃。工作人員說父母經常為(wei) 大一新生通常選擇大份計劃，不想讓他們(men) 在飲食上擔憂。小份餐食計劃（190和95餐）僅(jin) 針對大三大四學生開放，因為(wei) 這些學生有更多校外就餐選擇。學生最終決(jue) 定選擇190餐的計劃。

學生又提到她本學期還有60頓餐還沒吃完，詢問是否可以轉至下學年或抵扣費用，但被告知政策不允許轉餐或退款。工作人員建議學生邀請朋友或客人使用剩餘(yu) 餐點，但學生認為(wei) 她朋友同樣有剩餘(yu) 餐點，這讓她感到浪費。工作人員建議學生向院長反映這個(ge) 問題，但學生因學業(ye) 繁忙決(jue) 定暫時擱置了這一想法。

L 1

地質學講座，講解了石油的形成過程。石油是一種化石燃料，來自史前生物的有機物質。化石燃料的種類（固體(ti) solid、液體(ti) liquid或氣體(ti) gas）取決(jue) 於(yu) 分子molecule中的碳鏈長度chain length。天然氣由少數碳原子組成，而石油則由較長的碳鏈組成。

石油的形成需要四個(ge) 步驟：首先，必須有有機organic來源，主要來自海洋中的浮遊生物plankton。其次，死去的浮遊生物沉入海底，經過層層泥土覆蓋，隨著深埋的加深，溫度升高，這些有機物在數百萬(wan) 年的過程中發生“烹飪”反應，最終轉化為(wei) 液態石油。

然而，這個(ge) 過程需要特定的深度、溫度範圍和時間。第三步是泥土被壓實，轉化為(wei) 頁岩，這些頁岩中含有細小的孔隙，石油就在這些孔隙中形成。石油比水輕，會(hui) 慢慢向上移動，直到遇到一個(ge) 較大的岩層（如砂岩sandstone），然後通過這些較大的孔隙被提取出來。

最後，石油需要被一個(ge) 堅硬的岩層（蓋層）所困住，才能形成油藏。整個(ge) 過程需要極其特定的條件，且需要地球漫長的曆史來重複發生。通過比喻將地球曆史濃縮為(wei) 24小時，講解了石油的形成是一個(ge) 反複發生的、複雜且漫長的過程。

C 2

講解藝術修複art restoration實習(xi) internship的對話。學生來問老師去意大利的summer volunteer什麽(me) 時候出結果，因為(wei) 學生想如果她沒有入選，就要選暑期課。老師說如果她需要上課來獲得畢業(ye) 學分要求，就不建議她去summer volunteer。

學生解釋她的畢業(ye) 計劃沒有問題，但希望通過夏季課程減少下學期的課程負擔，以便準備研究生申請。隨後，教授提到實習(xi) 項目主要是修複古代沙岩雕像，而學生一直對畫作修複更感興(xing) 趣，還表示自己尚未決(jue) 定未來的職業(ye) 方向，希望在本科階段盡可能多地嚐試不同的藝術修複工作。

教授還提到，如果沒有獲得實習(xi) 機會(hui) ，可以考慮參與(yu) 另一個(ge) 幫助收集藝術修複專(zhuan) 業(ye) 畢業(ye) 生的就業(ye) 信息的項目，並參與(yu) 關(guan) 於(yu) 項目改進的調查。這個(ge) 項目時間不多，但有小額報酬。學生表示如果沒有去意大利，她願意參與(yu) 這個(ge) 項目.

L 2

人類學，講述了人類從(cong) 遊牧nomadic到定居生活sedentary life的轉變及其帶來的影響。教授首先介紹了新石器革命，這一時期人類開始發展農(nong) 業(ye) 和畜牧業(ye) ，從(cong) 而轉向定居生活。定居生活的優(you) 點在於(yu) 食物供給穩定，且產(chan) 生了勞動分工，推動了文明的形成。

然而，定居也帶來了缺點。研究顯示，定居者飲食單一，營養(yang) 較差，導致健康狀況下降，身高降低，且疾病和牙齒問題增加。此外，定居生活環境擁擠，衛生條件差，容易導致疾病傳(chuan) 播。相比之下，遊牧者飲食更豐(feng) 富、健康狀況更佳，且工作時間較少，有更多時間用於(yu) 社交和休息。盡管如此，定居生活提供了安全保障，定居者骨折率較低，顯示其生活更為(wei) 穩定和安全

L 3

講座教授講的是一種史前的鳥類，科學家們(men) 在判斷它是不是鳥類的鼻祖，又兩(liang) 種觀點。最後通過羽毛的一種顏色物質發現第二個(ge) 理論是錯的。

口語

TASK 1獨立口語題

Your professor has offered you the opportunity to assist him with some significant research this weekend. However, you have made plans to travel to your hometown this weekend to attend your sister’s birthday party. What will you do? Explain the reasons for your choice.

TASK 2校園題

Reading：

Limit Size of Poetry Writing Classes (The number of students in poetry writing classes in the creative writing program is too large. It is suggested that the number of students in poetry writing classes should be limited to within 15. To limit the class size, the professor can select the most qualified students.)

Point1: A smaller class enables students to receive more individual attention and feedback from the professor, thereby helping to improve their writing skills.

Point 2: By requiring all students interested in taking the poetry writing course to submit writing samples, the professor can select the top 15 students in the class.

Listening:

Man Agrees

Reason 1: In the poetry class, students will read their poems and receive feedback from the professor. However, if the class is large, there will be few opportunities for reading and receiving feedback.

Reason 2: Currently, only a few students in the poetry class take writing poems seriously, but most of the class time is spent on the poems of those students who are not dedicated to writing.

TASK 3學術講座題

Credence goodsare products that consumers find it difficult to confirm the benefits after use and can only buy and use based on trust. It takes the example of a professor buying calcium supplements. The professor saw an advertisement promoting the importance of calcium and that many people have insufficient calcium intake, recommending the purchase of supplements. Although the professor didn't feel any changes after buying them, he still believed in their effects.

For instance, the professor saw an advertisement for calcium supplements. The ad mentioned the importance of calcium for the human body and that many people don't get enough calcium in their diet, so it suggested people buy these calcium supplements and take one tablet a day to maintain bone health and strength. When the professor first heard this ad, he didn't think there was a problem with his bones, but the TV ad seemed very reasonable. The professor also wanted to ensure he was getting enough calcium, so he bought a bottle of calcium supplements and started taking them regularly. As a result, the professor didn't feel any changes. He just believed that these supplements were working, strengthening his bones and keeping them healthy, but he wasn't actually sure.

TASK 4 學術講座題

This lecture is talking about two ways in which eco tourism helps the environment. The first way is to help the environment by reducing pollution during tourists' travel and encouraging the use of clean transportation methods, such as hiking to the scenic spot. The second way is to let tourists participate in environmental restoration projects, making the travel experience a part of participating in the projects, such as planting trees in the rainforest area.

Firstly，eco tourism helps the environment by reducing pollution during tourists' travel. Give an example that a travel company focusing on eco tourism organizes a hiking trip to an ancient site instead of letting tourists take buses that release harmful gases. Thus, this way of sightseeing has less impact on the environment and less air pollution because walking is more environmentally friendly than taking a bus (Eco tourism helps the environment by reducing pollution during tourists' travel. It encourages the use of clean transportation methods. For example, a travel company focusing on eco tourism might organize a hiking trip to an ancient site instead of letting tourists take buses that release harmful gases. Therefore, this way of sightseeing has less impact on the environment and less air pollution because walking is more environmentally friendly than taking a bus.).

Secondly，eco tourism also helps the environment by allowing tourists to participate in environmental restoration projects. These projects enable tourists to understand environmental problems and make their travel experience a part of participating in the projects. For example, an eco tourism company arranges for tourists to plant trees in the rainforest in South America to help restore the deforested area. In this way, tourists can not only enjoy the scenery in South America but also improve the environment and provide a safe habitat for local animals by planting trees (Eco tourism also helps the environment by allowing tourists to participate in environmental restoration projects. These projects make tourists understand environmental problems and make their travel experience a part of participating in these projects. For example, an eco tourism company might arrange a special project for tourists to plant trees in the rainforest in South America to help restore the deforested area. In this way, tourists can not only enjoy the scenery in South America but also improve the environment and provide a safe habitat for local animals by planting trees.).

寫(xie) 作

綜合寫(xie) 作

上午場Crewless ships

Recently, the crew-less cargo ships, which can navigate the ocean without a crew on board, are expected to transport goods around the world. The reading claims three advantages of the crewless cargo ships, but the lecture disagrees with the ideas in the reading and holds an opposite belief that the crew-less cargo ships cannot offer significant advantages over the traditional ships.

First, the passage mentions that the costs of crew-less ships are cheaper than the traditional ships. Hiring an onboard crew to operate a traditional ship can cost $3000-$4000 a day, but the expense can be saved if choosing the crew-less ships. On the contrary, the lecture demonstrates a different idea that the crew-less ships cannot save more money than the traditional ships. To be specific, the crew members in the traditional ships can perform maintenance of the ships, while the crew-less ships have to go to harbor for maintenance, and during the maintenance period, the crew-less cannot earn money. Thus, the crew-less ships cannot save much money due to the maintenance of the ships.

Second, the author asserts that the crew-less ships can prevent the pirates from taking over the ships. The pirates may go aboard on the traditional ships, force the crew members to hand over the control of the ships, and steal valuable cargo. Without the crew members, the ships can be less vulnerable to piracy. In the contrast, the speaker states a contrary idea that pirates still have other ways to steal the crew-less ships. The crew-less ships need receive occasional transmission from land, such as the software updates for the technology, but the cyber pirates can alternate the instructions, which means that the pirates can change the courses of crew-less ships even without being near the ships. Thus, the author is heavily challenged by the speaker again.

Last but not least, the article suggests that these crew-less cargo ships can avoid some accidents. There are hundreds of accidents each year in traditional ships, such as fires in engine rooms and taking on water, which are caused by distracted or tired crew members. However, the lecture casts doubt on this advantage and asserts that the crew members can prevent some accidents when the technology fails. According to the listening material, the sensor technology may not work in certain conditions, such as high winds or other extreme weather conditions. If the crew are on board, they can spot the objects in the path and alternate the course timely. Thus, without the crew, technology failure may cause more serious accidents.

下午場Irish Round Towers

There were many stone constructions in Ireland called “Irish round towers”, which were probably built around 1000 years ago. The reading claims that several hypotheses seem to illustrate the purpose of the towers, but lecturer disagrees with the reading and believes that none of the hypotheses is practical.

First, the passage mentions that these towers served as forts to protect residents from foreign invaders. On the contrary, the listening material demonstrates the opposite idea that these towers were not built as forts. To be more specific, most tall buildings need strong underground foundation to support their heavy weight. However, this Irish round towers had no underground foundation, so the constructor piles miles of stones and soil above the ground inside the tower, contributing to the unusual design of doors. Thus, the round towers had no defensive value.

In addition, the author states that the towers were used to be bell towers, as the original name of round towers literally resemble the word that meant bell house. In contrast, the lecturer asserts that the original name is not only similar to the word that meant bell house but also sound like the word that meant stone house. According to the listening material, Irish round towers was the only significant stone-structured building at that time. It is difficult to distinguish whether the name of the round tower comes from the stone house or from the bell tower. Also, there is no archaeological evidence of the existence of bells in the tower. Therefore, the author is heavily challenged by the lecture again.Two words that similar to the original name of round towers were so hard to distinguish.

Last but not least, the article suggests that the towers seem to function as watchtower since the Irish round tower were tall architectures which provided residents a high place to monitor enemies or visitors. However, the speaker is suspicious of the article and asserts that watchtowers need windows from all directions, while many round towers were not built as this way. In fact, certain round towers were built in the valley. Hills around the tower were much taller than the towers, which blocked the views and there were only a few of windows that in specific directions. As a result, the round towers probably did not function as watchtowers.

學術討論

上午場

Dr.Diaz

This week we are studying how policy for public schools is created and how it may change over time. One very important topic for educational policy involves what courses should be taught in schools. Many people believe that new forms of communication and new kinds of employment require that new and different kinds of courses be taught. The question I want you to discuss is whether new, innovative subjects should be taught in public schools.

Andrew

I definitely think there should be new kinds of courses taught in public schools. For instance, people communicate more and more on the Internet by sharing photographs and videos with each other. I think a course in video composition-that is, how to make good and effective videos-would be really valuable to today's students. And there are many other similar topics that students might benefit from.

Kelly

I really don't think the high school curriculum needs to change. The main purpose of most courses in high school is to prepare students for higher education, and those basic requirements haven't changed. If students want to learn other things, like how to compose photographs or edit films, they can watch instructional videos on the Internet. They don't need a class in school to learn things like that.

Sample

I think new and unique subjects should be included in the curriculum of public schools. With the widespread use of the Internet, online communication has become increasingly important. People now often rely on social media platforms to learn about others, products, and services. In this situation, if students can learn new subjects like video editing, image enhancement, and content writing, it will undoubtedly open up more possibilities for their future presentations and job opportunities.

For example, in the past, English graduates could easily find jobs as English teachers or translators, but now it's becoming more challenging. However, if they had learned video editing during high school, they would be able to adapt to the changing job market. Many have started working in online English teaching or sales, using the video editing skills they acquired during their high school years. These courses and skills have helped them find a starting point for their careers.

Kelly mentioned students who want to learn these subjects can use instructional videos online. However, when students learn on their own, they often approach it with more of an entertainment mindset rather than a focus on learning. By incorporating these subjects into the school curriculum, there will be concrete teaching plans in place. This ensures that students not only memorize information but also understand and apply it. Regular assessments and evaluations will also help students master these skills and make necessary adjustments to their learning. This comprehensive approach will better prepare them for future employment and improve their communication abilities.

下午場

Dr. Gupta:

We've been talking about the process of starting a new business. One of the most important aspects of the process is staffing-that is, deciding which people to hire. Please discuss the following question: Is it better for new businesses to hire experienced veterans of the industry or to staff the business with younger employees who are right out of university? Why do you think so?

Claire:

I think a company should staff a business with the most experienced employees possible. If you're starting a new business, you need people around you who know what they are doing and can get the business up to speed fast. Spending time training inexperienced people will slow you down.

Paul:

I understand what Claire is saying, but if you are starting a new business, you want people who are particularly enthusiastic and energetic. Who better than a recent graduate to bring those qualities to the job? You would be guaranteed an ambitious hard worker.

Sample

I believe that hiring an experienced veteran will be better for a newly founded business. Experienced veterans could lead the business to the right path, just like an adult teaching a baby how to walk. On the contrary, young employees who are right out of the university could not help much of the business since they don't have experience, probably making mistakes on almost every step. For example, my dad has just founded a new business where he receives architectural work from other people and he designs it for them. His employees consist of two younger employees who have just finished university and one 40-year-old worker. The older worker helped almost on every subject they needed to do, designing 3D modeling, managing finance, and even establishing business connections, from which these two young employees learned a lot. My dad's business is now successful thanks to precious working experienced shared by the seasoned veteran.

I understand Paul's point that young people are indeed enthusiastic and optimistic, but I believe that this can sometimes be based on not knowing the harsh environment of society, some young people’s enthusiasm could wane after they experience various challenges and overwhelming pressure in the industry. On the contrary, older workers can be enthusiastic because they have fought for their goals in the fields for many years, and for many of those who have persisted will continue to strive for their ambitions. Thus, these people are highly motivated by themselves rather than reality.