Theme: Climate Change and Wildlife, Renewable Energy Sources, Technological Advancements in Healthcare, The Effects of Social Media on Communication, Urbanization and Its Impact on Environment
Questions
Reading Passage:
The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears
Climate change is having a profound impact on polar bears and their habitat in the Arctic region. As global temperatures rise, sea ice in the Arctic is melting at an unprecedented rate. Polar bears rely on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals, their primary food source. The loss of sea ice has forced polar bears to swim longer distances to find food, leading to increased energy expenditure and reduced access to prey. Additionally, the melting ice affects the bears’ ability to reproduce and raise their young, as they have fewer areas to rest and hunt. Some researchers argue that polar bears may adapt by finding new food sources on land or in open water, but others are skeptical, pointing out that polar bears are highly specialized for life on sea ice. As the Arctic continues to warm, the future of polar bears remains uncertain.
Listening Script:
Prompt:
Summarize the points made in the lecture, explaining how they cast doubt on points made in the reading passage about the impact of climate change on polar bears.
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Transcripts
Listening Script:
Professor: While it’s true that climate change poses challenges for polar bears, some scientists believe that polar bears might be more adaptable than we give them credit for. For example, there have been observations of polar bears adjusting their diets in response to the changing environment. In some areas, they have been seen scavenging on whale carcasses or even hunting seabirds, which suggests that they can find alternative food sources when seals are not available. Moreover, there’s evidence that polar bears are capable swimmers and can travel long distances between ice floes, which could help them cope with the reduction in sea ice. So, while the situation is certainly concerning, it’s important to consider that polar bears might have some capacity for adaptation.
Sample Response:
The reading passage discusses the severe impact of climate change on polar bears, particularly emphasizing the loss of sea ice and its effects on the bears’ hunting abilities and overall survival. It claims that as global temperatures rise, polar bears are struggling to find food and suitable habitats, leading to increased energy expenditure and reduced reproduction rates. However, the lecture presents a different perspective, suggesting that polar bears may be more adaptable than previously thought.
Firstly, the reading states that polar bears depend heavily on sea ice to hunt seals, their primary food source, and that the melting ice has forced them to swim longer distances, which negatively affects their energy levels and access to prey. In contrast, the lecture argues that polar bears have been observed adjusting their diets in response to the changing environment. For instance, in some areas, they have been seen scavenging on whale carcasses or hunting seabirds, indicating that they can find alternative food sources when seals are not available. This adaptability challenges the reading’s assertion that polar bears are unable to survive without sea ice.
Secondly, the reading highlights that the reduction in sea ice is also affecting polar bears’ ability to reproduce and raise their young, as they have fewer areas to rest and hunt. However, the lecturer points out that polar bears are capable swimmers who can travel long distances between ice floes. This capability suggests that polar bears might manage to cope with the reduction in sea ice by moving between areas of ice and open water. This evidence weakens the reading’s claim that polar bears are severely limited by the loss of their traditional habitat.
In conclusion, while the reading passage presents a bleak outlook for polar bears due to the loss of sea ice caused by climate change, the lecture offers a more optimistic view by providing examples of the bears’ adaptability. The lecturer’s points suggest that polar bears might have the capacity to adjust their behaviors and diets to survive in a changing environment, casting doubt on the reading’s more pessimistic predictions.
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