Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Professor: Today we'll discuss the concept of 'carbon footprint' and why it's more complex than just measuring direct emissions. You might think your carbon footprint is simply the gas you burn in your car or the electricity you use at home. But actually, it includes the entire lifecycle of products you consume. For example, when you buy a pair of jeans, the cotton farming, manufacturing, shipping, and even the washing over its lifetime all contribute to its carbon footprint. This is called a 'lifecycle assessment.' Now, here's a surprising finding: for many products, the majority of emissions occur before they even reach the consumer. In the case of food, about 80% of the carbon footprint of many items comes from production, not transportation. So, what does this mean for our personal responsibility? Some argue we should focus on reducing consumption, not just changing how we consume. Others say that systemic changes, like shifting to renewable energy, have a greater impact than individual choices. But I want you to consider: if we only focus on individual actions, we might overlook the role of corporations and policies. So, the question is not just 'what can I do,' but 'what can we do together.'
❓ Pregunta According to the professor, what is a key limitation of focusing only on individual carbon footprint actions?
A. Individual actions are always less effective than corporate changes.
B. It ignores the emissions from the production lifecycle of products.
C. It may overlook the need for systemic and policy changes.
D. It places too much emphasis on transportation emissions.
✅ Respuesta correcta
It may overlook the need for systemic and policy changes.
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