[TOEFL/Writing] Question 1 : Sea otter

 The writer and the lecturer argued about sea otter populations problems. The writer mentioned sea otter populations are declining because of pollution, and the lecturer has a different interpretation of the writer's evidence. 

 First, the writer said that pollution like oil rigs and industrial chemicals are a cause of the declining sea otter populations. Consequently, pollution makes sea otters have eak resistance to severe infections. However the lecturer argued that the writer's first piece of evidence is eak. Sea otters have not been found washed up on shore. This evidence supported not the pollution theory but the predator theory.

 Secondly, the wrtier mentioned that other sea mammals, for example seals and sea lions, are also declining, and this is also the result of pollution. As a result, the reduction of other mammal populations is affecting the entire ecosystem. On the other hand, the lecturer especially disagreed with the example of the whale. While whales are murdered by human hunters, their population is declined. Hence, orcas start hunting smaller prey, such as otters.

 Lastly, the writer suggested that the reduction of sea otters has uneven patterns, and some environmental factors make observers concentrate on irregular pollution. The lecturer partly agreed with this evidence. Nevertheless, sea otters have not declined in some regions that are inaccessible to orcas.