The construction of large-scale wind farms has been hailed as a cornerstone of renewable energy strategy. However, a closer examination reveals significant drawbacks that may outweigh their benefits. First, wind farms pose a serious threat to bird and bat populations. Studies have shown that turbine blades cause thousands of fatalities annually, particularly among migratory species. This disrupts ecosystems and can lead to local extinctions. Second, wind power is inherently unreliable due to its dependence on weather conditions. When wind speeds drop, energy output plummets, forcing grid operators to rely on backup fossil fuel plants, which undermines the goal of reducing carbon emissions. Third, the visual and noise pollution generated by wind turbines negatively impacts human communities. Residents living near wind farms report sleep disturbance, anxiety, and decreased property values, leading to social conflict and opposition. These three factors—ecological harm, unreliability, and community disruption—suggest that wind farms are not a sustainable solution to our energy needs.
🎧 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The reading paints a bleak picture of wind farms, but its arguments are based on outdated or incomplete evidence. First, while bird and bat deaths do occur, modern turbine designs and careful siting—such as avoiding major migratory routes and using radar to shut down turbines during high-risk periods—have reduced mortality rates by up to 90%. Moreover, fossil fuel power plants and building collisions kill far more birds annually, so wind farms remain a lesser evil. Second, the unreliability argument is weakening as energy storage technology improves. Advanced battery systems can store excess power generated during windy periods and release it when winds are calm. Additionally, wind patterns are predictable over large geographic areas, allowing grid operators to balance supply across regions. Third, concerns about community disruption are often exaggerated. Recent surveys show that people living near wind farms, after an initial adjustment period, report high levels of acceptance. Many communities even benefit from lease payments and local tax revenues, which can improve public services. When these factors are considered, wind farms appear far more viable than the reading suggests.
📝 Writing Prompt 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).
