Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. The professor is discussing the phenomenon of urban heat islands. 'Today we'll talk about urban heat islands, where cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This happens because materials like concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit heat more than natural vegetation. Also, waste heat from vehicles and buildings adds to the effect. Now, one interesting mitigation strategy is the use of green roofs. These are rooftops covered with plants and soil. Green roofs help cool the air through evapotranspiration, where plants release water vapor. They also provide insulation, reducing the need for air conditioning. Another strategy is increasing albedo, or reflectivity, of surfaces. For example, painting rooftops white can reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it. Studies show that a combination of these strategies can reduce city temperatures by several degrees. However, implementation costs can be high, and maintenance requires effort. Despite this, many cities are adopting them because the long-term energy savings and comfort benefits outweigh the initial expenses.'
❓ 質問 What is the main purpose of the lecture?
A. To explain why rural areas are cooler than cities
B. To describe strategies for reducing urban heat island effects
C. To compare the costs of green roofs and white roofs
D. To argue that urban heat islands are unavoidable
✅ 正解
To describe strategies for reducing urban heat island effects
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