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TOEFL【Integrated Writing】TPO23

Populations of the yellow cedar, a species of tree that is common in northwestern North America, have been steadily declining for more than a century now, since about 1880. Scientists have advanced several hypotheses explain this decline.  

Writing

The passage attributes the decline of yellow cedars to bark beetles, brown bears, and climate changes. However, the professor considers these arguments unconvincing.

First, bark beetles. The passage says that the larvae of bark beetle ate the trees, constant attacks to cause the death of yellow cedar. However, the professor argues that healthy yellow cedar are resistant to the attacks, resulting from the bark and leaves secreting the chemical poison to prevent  the beetles attacks. For those cedars killed, he points out, the trees were already sick and died, lacking the crucial effects to harm yellow cedars.

Second, brown bears. The passage states that the bears clawed at the bark for trees' sugar content, weakening the trees enough to cause the decline. However, the professor argues that the decline occurred all across the North America, not only on the mainland, but also on islands. where the bears didn't exist. He explains that the decline also happen on the islands, contradicting the hypothesis that bear damage yellow cedars. 

Third, climate change. The passage claims that caused by climate changes, freezing temperature affected root systems sensitive to cold weather, killing the whole tree. However, a fact ignored by the passage, the professor argues, is that the dead trees in lower elevation with higher temperature  are more than those in high elevation with warmer weather. He emphasizes that although making the roots sensitive, freezing damage would not threaten the whole trees' health, further causing the decline of yellow cedar.   

word：246

note：

Reading ： the decline YC  

argument 1：Insect BB → ate / constant attacks 

argument 2：B bear → claw / weaken 

argument 3： cc  →  root  sensitive /  kill 

Listening ： the decline / X

argument 1：Insect BB → healthy  poison /  attacks sick and die  

argument 2：B bear → all area NA, main and islands /  islands ↓, but X bear

argument 3： cc  →  warm area die ↑ /  sensitive  but X affect health 

以上就是小弟的寫作分享，不一定高分，但是這個結構跟內容都盡力去接近ETS的評分標準，如果有錯再請指教，大家一起進步考高分。