▶ Your Answer :
The reading and the listening both argue about the use of wave-energy facilities. While the reading points out the benefits of using it, the lecturer contradicts this statement.
First, the reading passage claims that wave farms are reliable due to constant and predictable patterns of waves they use to produce power. However, the lecturer says that the energy can be disrupted by technology problems of facilities. Since new technology is utilized, the facilities can be broken down by harsh marine condition. For instance, if a convertor of the farm is broken down, the amount of energy produced will fluctuate widely. Thus, the wind farms cannot be considered as reliable energy generators.
Secondly, the reading contends that wave farms are good for keeping clean environment since they do not release any pollutants into air or include any bad fuels that can released into ocean. In the contrary, the lecturer points out that they do contain harmful chemicals that can negatively impact marine ecosystem. One common kind of chemicals is used in many turbines and moving parts to allow them move freely. The chemicals are highly toxic and can harm the marine organisms if they leak into the water.
Finally, the reading argues that the facilities do not ruin the beautiful scenery of natural environment since they are quite small and stay below the water surface. In contrast, the lecturer refutes it by saying that the wind farms are highly visible due to bright colors of paints they have. The bright colors are used in order to let shipping vessels notice the facilities and avoid them. Also, because they are close to shore, tourists from beach can easily notice them. Therefore, they negatively impact the surrounding landscape. |