Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands. Now, cities are often warmer than the surrounding rural areas, sometimes by as much as 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Why is that? Well, one major factor is the materials we use to build our cities. Asphalt and concrete absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. That's why cities stay warmer even after the sun goes down. Another factor is the lack of vegetation. Trees and plants provide shade and also cool the air through a process called evapotranspiration—water evaporates from leaves, which takes heat from the air. So when we remove trees and replace them with buildings and roads, we lose that cooling effect. But there are solutions. For example, some cities are painting rooftops white or installing green roofs—roofs covered with plants. These measures can significantly reduce surface temperatures. Also, planting more trees along streets can help. So, the key is to rethink how we design urban spaces to make them more sustainable. Now, any questions?
❓ 문제 According to the professor, what is one reason cities are warmer than rural areas?
A. A. Cities have more people generating body heat.
B. B. Building materials like asphalt and concrete absorb and release heat.
C. C. Rural areas receive more sunlight.
D. D. Cities are located closer to the equator.
✅ 정답
B. Building materials like asphalt and concrete absorb and release heat.
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