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 materials like concrete and asphalt, which absorb and retain heat. Another factor is the lack of vegetation, since trees and plants provide shade and release moisture through transpiration, cooling the air. Interestingly, the heat island effect can vary within a city. For example, densely built downtown areas are often hotter than residential neighborhoods with parks. To combat this, many cities are adopting green roofing—covering rooftops with vegetation—which can reduce surface temperatures by up to 30 degrees Celsius. Additionally, increasing tree canopy and using reflective paving materials are effective strategies. However, these solutions require investment and long-term planning. So, while the problem is serious, there are practical steps we can take to mitigate it.
❓ คำถาม What does the professor say about the variation in the urban heat island effect?
A. A. The effect is more severe in cities with high population density.
B. B. The effect is stronger in downtown areas than in areas with more green space.
C. C. The effect is uniform across different parts of a city.
D. D. The effect is less noticeable in areas with many buildings.
✅ คำตอบที่ถูกต้อง
B. The effect is stronger in downtown areas than in areas with more green space.
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