Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. The professor is discussing the role of wetlands in flood control.
"Now, let's talk about wetlands. For decades, many people considered wetlands useless, even harmful, and drained them for agriculture or development. But we now understand their critical role in flood management. Wetlands act like natural sponges. When rivers overflow, wetlands absorb excess water, storing it and releasing it slowly over time. This reduces the peak flow downstream, which lowers the risk of severe flooding in populated areas. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, studies showed that coastal wetlands in Louisiana had significantly buffered the storm surge. Conversely, the loss of wetlands upstream can worsen flooding. In the 1993 Mississippi River flood, the damage was amplified because over 80 percent of the river's original floodplains had been converted to farmland. So, preserving and restoring wetlands is not just an ecological concern—it's a practical, cost-effective strategy for flood prevention. This perspective has shifted policy, leading to initiatives like 'managed retreat' in some regions. Any questions?"
❓ 質問 What is the main point the professor makes about wetlands?
A. A) Wetlands are a primary cause of river flooding.
B. B) Wetlands help reduce flood risk by absorbing and slowly releasing water.
C. C) Wetlands are more useful for agriculture than for flood control.
D. D) Wetlands have been successfully restored in all major river systems.
✅ 正解
B) Wetlands help reduce flood risk by absorbing and slowly releasing water.
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