Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands. As you know, cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is mainly due to the prevalence of concrete and asphalt, which absorb and retain heat during the day and release it slowly at night. Additionally, the lack of vegetation reduces shade and evapotranspiration, which would otherwise cool the air. But there are ways to mitigate this effect. One approach is to increase the albedo of surfaces, for example, by painting rooftops white or using reflective paving materials. Another is to plant more trees and create green roofs. These strategies not only lower temperatures but also reduce energy consumption for air conditioning. However, implementing them on a large scale requires policy support and public awareness. So, while individual actions help, systemic changes are crucial.
❓ Pregunta What is the professor's main point about urban heat islands?
A. A. They are caused exclusively by lack of vegetation.
B. B. They can be addressed through both individual and systemic measures.
C. C. They have no significant impact on energy use.
D. D. They are only a problem in tropical climates.
✅ Respuesta correcta
B. They can be addressed through both individual and systemic measures.
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