Question: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they challenge the specific arguments presented in the reading passage. Both reading and writing materials are discussing whether it was true that Greek built burning mirror to defend Roman navy. The reading part provides several proof to prove that it was not real, while the professor in the listening part casts doubt on it.
When the reading part says that building a huge mirror was not achievable by technology in the past, the professor says that it might be real if the mirror was not constructed in a single sheet of copper. Ancient Greek mathmetitians had known about parabola shape, which means they were able to build this fire mirror with several small pieces of copper. In this way, Greeks did know how to build the fire mirror, and they could build it.
The reading part says that it needs a long period of time to burn the ships, because an experiment has been made to cast doubt on the usefulness of this device. However, the professor provides evidences that there was a special material on Roman ships called pitch, which would burn in just a few seconds if there was enough heat. Greeks didn;t need to burn up all the woods on the ships, they just need to light up the pitch and the whole ship will be lit.
The reading part also casts doubt on whether the Greeks needed fire mirror since they had already had flaming arrows. However, according to the professor, compare to flaming arrows, fire mirror was more practical because it wouldn\\\'t be noticed by the enemy. If the Greeks still used flaming arrows, the Romans would recognize that, being ready to put down the fire.
In short, the reading part thinks that it was not real for Greeks to build the fire mirror, but the professor thinks the reasons in the reading part are all not convincing.
Question:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Many people nowadays spend too much money on their pets (dogs, cats, or other animals), although there are better uses for this money.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. SPEND MONEY ON PETS
Pets are vital parts of human lives. There are certain understandings about whether we should spend money on pets. We all know that pets stay with people, play with them and deal with their longliness. People may look into relaxation, emotional comfort together with feeling of safety, etc. Without pets, so many people who live along will be so disappointed. Putting these opinions in a sequence according to their analysis, one may find divergent answers to it.
Nowadays, many people keep pets, and take care of them as friends or family members. Some pets food cost more than one hundred dollars a month, while they have their own small house, clothes and toys. When the pets are sick, the owner will take them to vets, which costs thousands of dollars easily. However, in my opinion, I have to argue that it isworthy to keep a pet although we need to spend tons of money on it.
Pets, as good friends of human, provide us with great fun and happiness. There are a lot of people, mostly workers, do not have time to maintain a stable friendship, and they are independent adults so they won\\\'t call their parents frequently. Whenever they feel lonely, a pet, such as an Alaska dog, will cheer them up by staying with them. My coworker has a big dog, which has long, golden hair, is smart and is able to play some tricks. The dog, so amicable, will stay with my coworker and do some funny things to make her laugh. When she cries, the dog will lip her and use its furry body warm her heart. You have to admit that the pets can really cure one\\\'s hurt inside. When hanging out with this frank friend, my coworker doesn\\\'t have to think about her difficulties that she has met in her life. All she needs to do is relax when they are playing ball games together. In this way, a pet will cure one\\\'s longliness and make their owners happy.
Besides, pets could help treat some illness. There are researches showing that having a pet will avoid Alzheimer\\\'s illness, a serious illness. People who have Alzheimer\\\'s illness will gradually forget things, like what they are going to do, where they put things, and even more, their family and loved ones. Technology does few treatment to this illness, but keeping a pet will help them find their memory back because pets could comfort them and help their brains regrow. This magical achievement is done by our humans\\\' best friends. Spending money on having a pet will be so lovely and meaningful, more valuable than other kinds of ways to spend money.
Although there will always be some other better uses for money, it is still more satisfying to keep a pet. Spending money on them will not only provides happiness, but also advantages for body health. In this way, why not keep a pet?