Posts by AYCC

AYCC

Jan 26, 2016

Writing Feedback / Genetic modification is now being used to improve trees - TOEFL TPO21 [5]

hi, vangiespen
Thanks for alert me that i can't keep using semicolons to separate sentences. I thought it is a better way to simplify the sentences. I will correct it. And I updated the script above.

AYCC

Jan 26, 2016

Writing Feedback / Genetic modification is now being used to improve trees - TOEFL TPO21 [5]

Thanks NourNour
I am first time to post.
sorry for the inconvenience!
here is the reading part

Genetic modification, a process used to change an organism's genes and hence its characteristics, is now being used to improve trees. Through genetic modification, it is possible to create trees that produce more fruit, grow faster, or withstand adverse conditions. Planting genetically modified trees on a large scale promises to bring a number of benefits.

First, genetically modified trees are designed to be hardier than nature trees; that it, they are more likely to survive than their unmodified counterparts. In Hawaii, for example, a new pest-resistant species of papaya tree has been developed in response to ringspot virus infections that have repeatedly damaged the native papaya-tree population. Planting the genetically modified papayas has largely put an end to the ringspot problem.

Moreover, genetically modified trees promise to bring a number of economic benefits to those who grow them. Genetically modified trees tend to grow faster, give greater yields--of food, fruit, or other products--and be hardier. This allows tree farmers to get faster and greater returns on their farming investment and save on pesticides as well.

Finally, the use of genetically modified trees can prevent overexploitation of wild trees. Because of the growing demand for firewood or building timber, many forests around the world are being cut down faster than they can be replaced. Introducing genetically modified trees--designed for fast growth and high yield in given geographic conditions--would satisfy the demand for wood in many of those areas and save the endangered native trees, which often include unique or rare species.

AYCC

Jan 26, 2016

Writing Feedback / Genetic modification is now being used to improve trees - TOEFL TPO21 [5]

The reading and listening both discuss genetic modification. The reading concludes that using genetic modification to create trees can make many benefits no matter in the harvest or in natural environment; however, the listening disagrees and calls each of reading's points into a problem.

In the beginning, the reading believes that genetically modified trees have more ability to survive than unmodified counterparts. By contrast, the lecturer points out that modified plants may only resist one particular condition. What she means is only resisting one particular condition doesn't mean they are more likely to survive than unmodified plants. That is to say, modified papaya trees may have a new pest-resistant capability; however, once they face the rapid climate-change or new kinds of pest, they will be quickly wiped out because they are designed too uniform to survive.

Second, the reading states that genetically modified trees can produce stable or even more harvest, helping farmers bring a number of economic benefits. The lecturer rejects the view and asserts that planting modified trees will cost more than non-modified tress. To explain, the modified seeds are much more expensive than unmodified ones and farmers need to pay company every time they sow according to law. Therefore, getting faster, greater returns and saving on pesticides may not pay off by expensive modified seeds.

Last, the reading claims that the use of genetically modified trees can prevent wild trees from overexploitation. Nevertheless, the lecturer opposes the view once again and says that modified trees may make more damage to nature plants. To elaborate, the modified plants are more aggressive than non-modified plants, which will be defeated and become crowed because of losing sunlight, water and nutrition.