Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an astronomy class. Professor: Now, let's talk about the Great Red Spot on Jupiter. This is a massive storm, larger than Earth, that has been raging for centuries. Unlike hurricanes on Earth, which are fueled by warm ocean water, the Great Red Spot is powered by Jupiter's internal heat and the planet's rapid rotation. The storm is actually an anticyclone, meaning it rotates counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere, with winds reaching up to 400 miles per hour. Interestingly, recent observations from the Juno spacecraft have shown that the storm extends deep into Jupiter's atmosphere, possibly down to 300 kilometers. Scientists are also studying why the storm is shrinking; historical records indicate it was once three times the size of Earth, but now it's about 1.3 times Earth's diameter. Some hypothesize that it may eventually disappear, but others argue that it could stabilize. Understanding this storm helps us learn about atmospheric dynamics not only on Jupiter but also on other planets in our solar system.
❓ Question What does the professor say about the Great Red Spot?
A. A. It is a hurricane that is fueled by warm ocean water.
B. B. It is an anticyclone that rotates clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
C. C. It is powered by Jupiter's internal heat and rapid rotation.
D. D. It has increased in size over the past few centuries.
✅ Correct Answer
C. It is powered by Jupiter's internal heat and rapid rotation.
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