Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon called 'urban heat islands.' Now, cities tend to be warmer than the surrounding rural areas, sometimes by as much as 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Why? Well, there are several reasons. First, concrete and asphalt absorb and store heat from the sun during the day, and then release it slowly at night, so the city doesn't cool down as much. Second, buildings block wind, reducing natural cooling. Third, there's less vegetation—trees and plants provide shade and release moisture through a process called evapotranspiration, which cools the air. And fourth, human activities—like driving cars, running air conditioners, and industrial processes—generate waste heat. So, the combined effect is a 'heat island.' Now, some cities are trying to combat this by planting more trees, creating green roofs, and using reflective materials on roads and buildings. These strategies can lower temperatures and reduce energy consumption.
❓ Question According to the lecture, which of the following is NOT a reason why cities are warmer than rural areas?
A. Buildings block wind, reducing natural cooling.
B. Concrete and asphalt absorb and release heat.
C. Lack of vegetation reduces evapotranspiration.
D. More clouds in urban areas trap heat at night.
✅ Correct Answer
More clouds in urban areas trap heat at night.
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