题目原文：
In 1938 an archaeologist in Iraq acquired a set of clay jars that had been excavated two years earlier by villagers constructing a railroad line. The vessels were about 2,200 years old. Each clay jar contained a copper cylinder surrounding an iron rod. The archaeologist proposed that the vessels were ancient electric batteries and even demonstrated that they can produce a small electric current when filled with some liquids. However, it is not likely that the vessels were actually used as electric batteries in ancient times.
First of all, if the vessels were used as batteries, they would probably have been attached to some electricity conductors such as metal wires. But there is no evidence that any metal wires were located near the vessels. All that has been excavated are the vessels themselves.
Second, the copper cylinders inside the jars look exactly like copper cylinders discovered in the ruins of Seleucia, an ancient city located nearby. We know that the copper cylinders from Seleucia were used for holding scrolls of sacred texts, not for generating electricity. Since the cylinders found with the jars have the same shape, it is very likely they were used for holding scrolls as well. That no scrolls were found inside the jars can be explained by the fact that the scrolls simply disintegrated over the centuries.
Finally, what could ancient people have done with the electricity that the vessels were supposed to have generated? They had no devices that relied on electricity. As batteries, the vessels would have been completely useless to them.
题目音频：
学术写作：
教授：小孩子在学校里应该学什么？学科类还是艺术类？
Kelly：艺术类应该被包含，激发想象力。
Andrew：应该还是学科类，艺术类可以自己在家学。
Doctor Achebe: What should children be learning in school? Many people believe that time in the classroom should be spent acquiring foundational knowledge in subjects like math reading, science, and history. Others feel that it’s important for a child’s creativity to be nurtured, and thus the school curriculum must include classes in art and music. There’s so much to learn, yet so little time in school to learn it all! What do you think should be included in the curriculum? Why?
Kelly: I agree that traditional subjects like math, science, and reading are important. but scare classes in art and music. Engaging with art and music can help children be more creative and can stimulate their imaginations. That in turn facilitates critical thinking which is essential in any curriculum, so l am in favor of including art and music in the school day.
Andrew: Sure, drawing pictures and listening to music is fun, but children can do that on their own time. The school day is too short as it is, and there is so much foundational knowledge in math, reading, science, and history that children need to learn: it is better to spend classroom time on that foundational knowledge and let kids explore art and music at home.
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