Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Professor: So, we've been talking about renewable energy sources, and today I want to focus on a lesser-known one: tidal energy. Unlike wind or solar, tidal energy is highly predictable because it depends on the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, which we can calculate centuries in advance. However, its adoption has been slow. Why? Well, for one, the initial construction costs are enormous. You need to build barrages or underwater turbines, which are expensive to install and maintain. Also, there are environmental concerns. For instance, a barrage can disrupt the natural flow of water in estuaries, affecting fish migration and sediment transport. That said, recent pilot projects are exploring smaller, less intrusive designs, like free-flowing turbines that don't require dams. These could reduce ecological impact. But the real challenge remains economic feasibility. Without government subsidies, tidal projects often struggle to compete with cheaper fossil fuels. So, while the potential is there, we're still a long way from large-scale adoption. Any questions?
❓ 문제 What is the main challenge mentioned by the professor regarding tidal energy?
A. A. The unpredictability of tides
B. B. The high cost and environmental concerns
C. C. The lack of government interest
D. D. The inefficiency of underwater turbines
✅ 정답
B. The high cost and environmental concerns
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