Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Professor: Today, I want to discuss a surprising factor in climate change: the role of forests. Many people assume that planting more trees is always beneficial. However, recent research shows that in some regions, particularly in the Arctic, tree growth can actually accelerate warming. How? Well, trees absorb sunlight with their dark canopies, which reduces the albedo effect—the reflection of solar radiation back into space. In snowy areas, bare ground reflects more sunlight than a forest does. So, when trees expand into tundra, they darken the landscape, causing the ground to absorb more heat. This can offset the carbon dioxide they capture. In contrast, in tropical regions, trees have a cooling effect due to high evaporation rates. So, the net impact of afforestation depends heavily on location. This complexity challenges simple solutions to climate change.
❓ Câu hỏi What is the main point the professor makes about the role of trees in climate change?
A. Planting trees is always an effective way to combat global warming.
B. The effect of trees on climate varies depending on their geographic location.
C. Tropical forests contribute to warming due to their dark canopies.
D. Arctic trees are more beneficial than tropical trees for cooling the planet.
✅ Đáp án đúng
The effect of trees on climate varies depending on their geographic location.
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