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First, take three minutes to read this article:
The reintroduction of wolves to national parks has been proposed as a strategy to restore balance to ecosystems where wolf populations have declined or disappeared. Many environmentalists argue that wolves play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the overall health of natural habitats.
One of the most significant benefits of reintroducing wolves is the way they control the populations of large animals they prey on, particularly deer. In many areas, deer and other herbivores have grown in number due to the absence of natural predators, leading to overgrazing and habitat destruction. When their populations are not regulated, they consume massive amounts of vegetation, which can be extremely harmful to both forests and grasslands. Wolves can restore a natural balance, and limit the negative impact that these herbivores have on plant life.
Another major advantage of bringing wolves back into national parks is their role in preventing the spread of disease among the populations of animals they prey on. This is because when wolves hunt, they mainly target weak, sick, or old animals, which are much easier to catch. This behavior naturally removes infected individuals from the overall population of animals like deer and elk. When sick animals are removed from the herds, they are no longer able to spread diseases to healthy animals. Over time, this helps maintain a healthier, more stable wildlife population.
Finally, there are significant economic benefits of reintroducing wolves to national parks, particularly in the tourism sector. Many people are eager to see wolves in their natural habitat, and national parks that successfully reintroduce wolves often experience an increase in visitors. More tourists means more revenue that can be used to fund park services and further enhance wildlife conservation programs. Local businesses also benefit from increased spending by these visitors.
Next, listen to the following lecture:
You have twenty minutes to answer the following question. You can see the article as you write your essay. You may not listen to the lecture again.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.
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Sample Response
Here is a sample essay:
The reading passage claims that bringing wolves back to national parks has many advantages. In contrast, the lecture points out several problems with the claims made in the article.
First, the reading explains that wolves keep deer numbers in check by hunting them, which should help prevent overgrazing by hunting certain herbivores. The author notes that when the populations of animals like deer are not controlled, they can consume huge amounts of vegetation. The lecturer, however, notes that when wolves return, deer tend to change where they graze to avoid danger. This shift can lead to overgrazing in other parts of the park and does not result in a balanced recovery of plant life.
Second, the article suggests that wolves help control disease by preying on sick or weak animals. When sick animals are removed from herds, they are no longer able to spread disease to other animals. The lecturer disagrees, stating that wolves choose prey based on ease of capture rather than on health. Because of this, unhealthy animals may still live long enough to spread disease among their herd.
Finally, the reading points out that reintroducing wolves will draw more tourists to the parks, which can bring economic benefits. The revenue gained from these visitors can be used to fund services that improve parks and protect wildlife. The lecturer casts doubt on this idea. He explains that while some visitors may be excited to see wolves, others are scared and may avoid parks where they feel unsafe. He even mentions an example from another park where the return of bears led to fewer visitors because people were afraid of an attack.