Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands, a phenomenon where cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. One major cause is the replacement of natural surfaces with asphalt and concrete, which absorb and retain heat. Another factor is the lack of vegetation, since trees provide shade and release moisture through transpiration. Interestingly, the intensity of an urban heat island can vary by season and time of day. For example, it's often more pronounced at night because buildings slowly release the heat they absorbed during the day. Now, some solutions include green roofs, which are covered with plants, and cool pavements that reflect more sunlight. But here's a key point: while these measures help lower temperatures, they also reduce energy consumption for air conditioning, which in turn cuts greenhouse gas emissions. So, addressing urban heat islands is not just about comfort—it's a climate strategy.
❓ 質問 What is the professor's main point about addressing urban heat islands?
A. A) It is primarily a way to improve nighttime comfort in cities.
B. B) It mainly relies on increasing the use of air conditioning.
C. C) It has benefits beyond cooling, including reducing emissions.
D. D) It is only effective during certain seasons of the year.
✅ 正解
C) It has benefits beyond cooling, including reducing emissions.
TOEFL Listening Tips
Skim the questions first to predict the content
Watch for signal words in lectures and conversations (however, actually, in fact)
For main idea questions, focus on the beginning; for detail questions, focus on examples and data
For attitude questions, pay attention to the speaker's tone and word choice
Take notes on keywords; don't try to write down every word