题目原文：
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 to explain this decline.
One hypothesis is that the yellow cedar decline may be caused by insect parasites, specifically the cedar bark beetle. This beetle is known to attack cedar trees; the beetle larvae eat the wood. There have been recorded instances of sustained beetle attacks overwhelming and killing yellow cedars, so this insect is a good candidate for the cause of the tree’s decline.
A second hypothesis attributes the decline to brown bears. Bears sometimes claw at the cedars in order to eat the tree bark, which has a high sugar content. In fact, the cedar bark can contain as much sugar as the wild berries that are a staple of the bears’ diet. Although the bears’ clawing is unlikely to destroy trees by itself, their aggressive feeding habits may critically weaken enough trees to be responsible for the decline.
The third hypothesis states that gradual changes of climate may be to blame. Over the last hundred years, the patterns of seasonal as well as day-to-day temperatures have changed in northwestern North America. These changes have affected the root systems of the yellow cedar trees: the fine surface roots now start growing in the late winter rather than in the early spring. The change in the timing of root growth may have significant consequences. Growing roots are sensitive and are therefore likely to suffer damage from partial freezing on cold winter nights. This frozen root damage may be capable of undermining the health of the whole tree, eventually killing it.
题目音频：
学术写作
教授：地方政府的钱应该支持艺术相关的项目or公园绿道等娱乐？
Kelly：娱乐，更多人会从中受益。
Andrew：艺术，人少所以更需要政府支持，不然就没了。
Doctor Achebe: Local governments have limited budgets to spend on enriching residents’ lives. Supporting arts programs like concerts and museums offers cultural engagement, while funding recreational activities like hiking trails and parks promotes healthy lifestyles. As students who appreciate culture and wellness, let’s discuss whether local funding should support arts programs or recreational activities more. Which do you think better serves the community and why?
Kelly: I think local governments should prioritize spending on outdoor trails and parks rather than arts programs like museums and concerts. More people would use and benefit from improved recreation spaces than arts venues. If fewer residents are interested in the arts, they won’t attend museums or concerts even if the government funds them.
Andrew: I believe local governments should actually prioritize spending on arts programs like museums and concerts rather than recreation. Precisely because fewer residents are inherently interested in the arts, public funding is essential to sustain these cultural institutions for the minority who appreciate them. Without support, access to the arts will decline and society will lose these enriching, enduring outlets for creative expression.
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