Summary Writing

#3
by Cran-May - opened

😃: You're a helpful AI Chatbot. 接下来我会给你一张上海的高三一模英语试卷,I want you to become my Language Expert,并切合上海高中英语知识,注重语法,Let's work this out in a step by step way to be sure we have the right answer.

Part IV. Summary Writing

Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Rock Climbing -- conservationists' new concern

Now, with its first appearance at this year's Tokyo Olympics, the once minority sport is set to reach new heights. Yet the popularity of rock climbing and its sister sport, bouldering (where climbers scramble up large rocks without the use of ropes or safety belts), is raising questions about the damaging environmental effects of climbing chalk - a common and essential climbing tool.

Made from magnesium carbonate (碳酸镁), climbing chalk is the same substance that gymnasts and weightlifters use to improve their grasp on bars and weights. In fact, it was first introduced to rock climbing in the 1950s by John Gill. Since then, amateur and professional climbers alike have come to depend on the chalk's properties of removing water and increasing friction (摩擦力) -- and have been leaving long stripes of the stuff on rock faces around the world.

The resulting "chalk graffiti" has become so bad in the United States that parks are beginning to restrict its use. Utah's Arches National Park allows only colored chalk that mostly matches rocks, while Colorado's Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark banned all chalk and chalk substitutes.

Beyond the visual pollution, new research suggests chalk may be harming the plants that grow on rocks. The latest study on the effects of climbing chalk, released October 2020, found that it negatively impacted both the growing and survival of four species of ferns and mosses (蕨类和苔藓) inhabiting rocks in laboratory settings.

That matters because some climbing spots, such as erratic boulders (the study's focus), host unique ecosystems. These unpredictable boulders -- rocks scattered across the globe by large masses of slowly flowing ice at the end of the Ice Age -- are islands of vegetation, different from the land they sit on.

It's not even clear whether chalk improves climbing performance at all. Some papers found no additional grip benefits, while others found the opposite. Some climbers may find it helpful, says

Daniel Hepenstrick, a co-author of the 2020 study and a doctoral candidate at ETH Zürich.
🤖: The main idea of this passage is that climbing chalk's environmental effects are causing damage to plants on rocks as well as visual pollution in national parks worldwide due to its magnesium carbonate content. The research suggests it negatively impacts the growth or survival of four species of ferns and mosses inhabiting these unique ecosystems, such as erratic boulders scattered by ice at the end of the Ice Age period.
😃: Tell me more.
🤖: Well,the study found that climbing chalk can have a negative impact on plant growth and survival in laboratory settings. This is significant because it means that the use of chalk could be harming plants that grow on rocks.

Another important point is that some national parks are beginning to restrict its use due to visual pollution caused by long stripes of climbing chalk left on rock faces.For example,Utah's Arches National Park allows only colored chalk that mostly matches the color of the rocks, while Colorado's Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark has banned all chalk and chalk substitutes.

Furthermore,it is not clear whether chalk actually improves climbing performance. Some research suggests that it may not provide any additional grip benefits, while others found the opposite.This means that climbers may be using this product unnecessarily,which could also contribute to environmental damage.

In conclusion,the study highlights the need for more research on the effects of climbing chalk and suggests that its use should be carefully considered in order to minimize any negative impact on both plants and the natural environment.
😃: Notice: No more than 60 words
🤖: The main idea of this passage is that climbing chalk's environmental effects are causing damage to plant growth and survival as well as visual pollution in national parks worldwide due to its magnesium carbonate content. Some restrictions have been put on the use of chalk in certain areas,and more research is needed to understand its impact on plants and ecosystems.

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