TOEFL Integrated Writing Practice Test 005Golden Frog

The golden frog, a small bright-yellow amphibian native to Panama’s mountain streams, is critically endangered due to a deadly fungus that infects the frog through its skin and disrupts vital functions like breathing. Conservationists have suggested several approaches to address the fungus issue.

One option is Bacterial Protection. Scientists have discovered a type of bacterium that naturally combats the fungus by producing chemicals that kill fungal cells. They propose introducing colonies of this bacterium to the skin of golden frogs, which would help shield the frogs from fungal infections.

Another approach is Breeding Frogs in Captivity. Researchers are exploring the possibility of breeding golden frogs in controlled environments, free from the fungus, and then releasing them back into the wild. These disease-free frogs could help restore healthy populations in areas where the wild frogs have been wiped out by the fungus.

A third possibility involves Natural Defense. Some golden frogs may already possess a defense mechanism against the fungus. When infected, these frogs raise their body temperature, which slows the growth of the fungus. If this resistance becomes widespread within the golden frog population, the species might overcome the fungal threat on its own, allowing the population to recover.