2016年9月3日
2016年9月3日托福综合写作范文二
The reading passage argues that vent mining in the deep sea is a promising way to gather metals. Nevertheless, the listening hold the opposite opinion, contending that the reading does not tell the whole story and vent mining is a bad idea.
Primarily, the writer believes that vent mining represents abundant sources of metal deposits. However, the professor points out that the existence of metal near the undersea volcanic vents does not mean they are available to human beings because the mining requires new technology. First, we do not have the technology to separate the metal from its surrounding ocean floor sediments on a large scale. Second, we also lack the technology to transport the metal to the ocean surface. Thus the proposal is not feasible yet.
Further, the reading suggests that vent mining will not disturb the vents or the organisms living in them. But the listening contradicts the argument by saying that the mining will disturb undersea organisms. The reason is that materials will spread in all directions in the deep sea. And the harmful chemicals used in mining will probably drift back to the vents and harm the ecosystem there.
Finally, although the reading says that the international law can help regulate the vent mining, the listening refutes the idea. The professor suggests that many vent mining happen in coastal areas, which belong to a particular country. Therefore, international laws do not apply to them and many vents are not covered by regulations in reality. As a result, there is not guarantee that the mining companies will be well managed.