The construction of large-scale wind farms has been widely promoted as a key solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, a closer examination reveals several significant drawbacks that may outweigh its benefits. First, wind energy is inherently unreliable due to its dependence on weather conditions. Wind speeds fluctuate daily and seasonally, leading to inconsistent power generation. This intermittency forces backup systems, usually fossil-fuel-based, to ramp up quickly, thereby undermining the intended carbon reductions. Second, wind farms pose severe threats to local wildlife, particularly birds and bats. Studies have shown that turbine blades cause hundreds of thousands of bird deaths annually, including endangered species like the golden eagle. The rotating blades also create pressure drops that can fatally damage bats' lungs. Third, the economic costs of wind energy are often underestimated. Initial installation requires massive capital investment, and maintenance of offshore turbines is expensive due to harsh marine environments. Moreover, government subsidies distort market prices, making wind power appear cheaper than it actually is. These financial burdens ultimately fall on taxpayers and consumers, making wind energy a less attractive option than its proponents claim.
🎧 听力讲座
🎯 模拟考试环境：先点「播放讲座」听完内容，再作答。听力原文默认隐藏。
The professor challenges each point in the reading. First, while wind is indeed variable, modern forecasting and energy storage technologies have largely mitigated this issue. Advanced battery systems can store excess power during high-wind periods and release it when winds are calm. Additionally, interconnecting geographically dispersed wind farms smooths overall output, as wind patterns differ across regions. Thus, the claim of unreliability is outdated. Second, the reading exaggerates wildlife impacts. Proper siting—avoiding migratory routes and using radar systems to shut down turbines when birds approach—can reduce collisions dramatically. In fact, climate change poses a far greater threat to bird populations than wind turbines. For example, rising temperatures disrupt habitats, which is a more severe and long-term danger. Therefore, wind energy actually helps protect wildlife by mitigating climate change. Third, the economic argument ignores the declining costs of wind technology. Over the past decade, the levelized cost of wind energy has fallen by over 70%, making it competitive with fossil fuels even without subsidies. Furthermore, health costs from air pollution caused by coal and gas are enormous, and wind energy avoids these external costs. When these are factored in, wind energy is economically superior. Hence, all three criticisms in the reading are unfounded.
📝 คำแนะนำการเขียน Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the specific points made in the reading passage.
📊 TOEFL Integrated Writing Rubric
Content Accuracy: Accurately capture the relationship between lecture and reading
Information Completeness: Cover all key counter-arguments from the lecture
Structure & Coherence: Logical organization and progression
Language Use: Grammar, vocabulary, expression accuracy
Scored 0-30 based on holistic scoring (original 0-5, scaled to 30).
