Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon known as 'urban heat islands.' Basically, cities tend to be warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This happens for several reasons. First, concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat during the day and release it slowly at night. Second, buildings block wind, reducing natural cooling. Third, human activities, like driving cars and running air conditioners, generate waste heat. However, there are ways to mitigate this effect. One solution is to increase vegetation, such as planting trees on streets and creating green roofs. Plants provide shade and release moisture through transpiration, which cools the air. Another strategy is to use reflective materials for roofs and pavements, which bounce sunlight back into the atmosphere instead of absorbing it. These changes can lower city temperatures by several degrees, reducing energy consumption for cooling and improving public health. So, urban planning plays a crucial role in addressing this issue.
❓ 質問 According to the professor, what is one way to reduce the urban heat island effect?
A. Increasing the use of air conditioning in buildings
B. Planting trees and creating green roofs
C. Building taller structures to block wind
D. Using darker materials for roads and buildings
✅ 正解
Planting trees and creating green roofs
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
