JH_005
综合写作
听力音频：
The monumental pyramids of ancient Egypt are built of large limestone blocks. Archaeologists have long wondered how the Egyptians were able to transport the large, heavy blocks and lift them to their positions on the pyramids. Some researchers have proposed an ingenious hypothesis: the Egyptians actually created the building locks out of limestone-based concrete rather than carving them out of natural rock. The concrete was a paste made by dissolving natural limestone in water. The concrete paste was then poured into forms where it hardened into solid blocks. Since the concrete blocks could be created on the construction site, transportation and lifting were not a problem. Several findings support this hypothesis.
First, it appears that Egyptians may have used concrete or similar material for other purposes; for example, in making containers such as stone vases. A number of ancient Egyptian stone vases are hollow but have very long and narrow necks. These vases were probably not carved out of solid stone; hollowing them out through the narrow necks would have been impossible. A more likely explanation is that they were created by pouring a concrete like substance into vase shaped forms and letting it harden.
Second, when researchers examined samples from some pyramid building blocks under the microscope, they noticed tiny bubbles in their micro- structure. Such bubbles are almost never present in natural stone, but they are characteristic of concrete that has dried.
Third, the chambers inside the pyramids retain much higher levels of moisture than would be expected in the very dry Egyptian climate. This excess moisture can be explained as a remnant of the water that escaped from the concrete blocks as they dried. The concrete would have been made from a mixture of water and stone; some of the water evaporated as the concrete hardened.
Question:Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they respond to the specific concerns expressed in the reading passage.
学术写作：
Doctor Achebe:
Many companies provide important products and services but at the same time cause environment damages. Some people believe the way to prevent these companies from damaging the environment is for the government to require more penalties from them, such as higher tax and larger fine. Do you think it is a good idea?
Andrew:
A lot of companies make helpful products but hurt the environment too. l think thegovernment should punish them more, like raising their taxes and fines, to stop the damage. Doing that would hold corporations accountable and force themto change in an impactful way. We canhave both innovation and sustainability if governments incentivize it properly through penalties.
Claire：
I disagree that we should penalize corporations more for environmental damage. Many companies are already taking steps to adopt greener practices, and higher taxes or fines could discourage innovation and hurt the economy. Instead of punishing businesses, l believe the government should reward and incentivize sustainable choices through subsidies and tax breaks.
