Viết tích hợp TOEFL

📖 Đoạn văn

The extinction of the dodo bird, which occurred in the late 17th century, has long been attributed primarily to human hunting by Dutch sailors who visited Mauritius. However, a more nuanced examination reveals that the dodo’s demise was actually caused by a combination of factors, with human hunting playing only a minor role. First, the dodo had evolved in an environment devoid of natural predators, leading to a loss of fear toward humans. This naivety made them easy to capture, but the number of birds taken by sailors was relatively small and limited to the few months each year when ships stopped for provisions. Historical records indicate that the sailors’ primary interest was in other wildlife, such as giant tortoises, which were more plentiful and easier to store. Second, the introduction of invasive species by humans—such as rats, pigs, and macaques—was the true killer. These animals preyed on dodo eggs and competed for food, and since the dodo nested on the ground, its eggs and chicks were devastated. Third, habitat destruction due to deforestation by settlers for agriculture and timber removed the dodo’s primary food sources and nesting sites, making it impossible for the species to recover. Thus, while humans are indirectly responsible, direct hunting was not the main driver of extinction.

🎧 Bài giảng

The reading presents a compelling but incomplete picture of the dodo’s extinction. While it correctly notes that invasive species and habitat loss contributed, it severely underestimates the role of direct human hunting. First, the claim that sailors hunted few dodos is misleading. Archaeological and historical evidence from Dutch ship logs shows that sailors captured hundreds of dodos per voyage, not just a few. The birds were large, slow, and easy to catch, making them a convenient source of fresh meat for long journeys, and they were often taken in bulk to supplement provisions. Second, the reading suggests that invasive species were the primary cause, but recent studies of subfossil remains indicate that dodo populations were already in sharp decline before invasive species became widespread. The arrival of rats and pigs occurred simultaneously with intense hunting, but the initial crash in dodo numbers correlates with the first decade of human settlement, which was marked by heavy hunting pressure. Third, the reading overlooks the fact that habitat destruction was not extensive during the early period of human contact; deforestation did not accelerate until later, after the dodo had already become rare. In contrast, hunting was immediate and relentless. Therefore, the most parsimonious explanation is that direct hunting by sailors was the primary cause, with invasive species and habitat loss acting as secondary factors that prevented recovery.