Summarize the main points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they challenge the specific points made in the reading passage. You have 20 minutes to plan and write your response. 

Reading

Give yourself 3 minutes to read the passage.

The chemical compound, ethanol, has risen in recent years as the most viable alternative to fossil fuels. Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from crops, mainly from corn in the United States, which can power engines. There are many who argue that corn ethanol should replace fossil fuel gas as the primary source for running cars.

One major benefit of using corn ethanol is that it uses less energy than gasoline. Using less energy means that people can get better gas mileage while driving these more fuel-efficient cars. In the long-run, this will be cheaper for consumers because they can drive further than they do now with fossil fueled cars. People will spend less money on gas because they won’t have to stop to fill up as frequently.

Another advantage of switching to corn ethanol is that it helps the American economy become less reliant on energy sources from other countries. Petroleum is not readily available in the U.S., so it must be imported from other countries. Depending on the foreign relations with those countries, fuel becomes a political issue. Corn is a crop that America has in abundance. By using corn ethanol instead, the cost of gas will decrease because now the import taxes on fossil fuels are calculated into the price. This also means that we will be putting the money into our own economy, thus helping local corn farmers.

One of the most attractive aspects of corn ethanol is how environmentally friendly is is when compared to current automobile gasoline. Fossil fuels release carbon that has been stored for years from the earth. Burning biofuels, like corn ethanol, is better for the environment because it releases less greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening the amount of carbon emissions will help prevent global warming and all of the other negative effects of climate change.

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Listening

Sample answer

Both the article and the lecture deal with corn-based ethanol. The author describes the advantages of switching from fossil fuels to this alternative energy source. The lecturer disagrees stating that the benefits mentioned in the reading passage are misleading and refutes each of the claims made in the reading.

In the reading, the author begins by stating that drivers will get better gas mileage on corn ethanol than on fossil fuels, and therefore save money on gas. However, the speaker disagrees claiming that the production of corn ethanol is very expensive. He says that in order to make for the costs to create and distribute this biofuel, they will increase the price of ethanol gas.  As a result, it will not be any cheaper for consumers in the long run.

Secondly, the author claims that making the switch to corn ethanol will help the American economy because it will make the United States less dependent on foreign oil. Again, the lecturer believes there are flaws in the writer’s argument. He claims instead that mass use of corn-based ethanol will hurt the economy. He elaborates on this pointing out that the inevitable competition for corn by multiple consumers, including beef and dairy farmers, will drive the price of corn up.

Another reason why the author feels that moving from traditional gasoline to corn ethanol is a good idea is because they are more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. The professor in the listening passage is doubtful that this is accurate. He believes that as more farmlands are created to support the demands for more corn, more carbon will be absorbed by the land. This means that as these emissions will still be released to negatively affect environment.