Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Today we're going to talk about the concept of 'ecological footprint.' Now, this is a measure of the demand humans place on the Earth's ecosystems. It calculates how much land and water area is required to produce the resources we consume and to absorb the waste we generate. For example, your diet, your transportation habits, and even your energy use at home all contribute to your footprint. But here's the key point: the average global footprint already exceeds the Earth's biocapacity, meaning we're using more than the planet can regenerate. This overshoot is not sustainable. So, what can we do? Reducing consumption is one obvious step, but technology also plays a role. For instance, renewable energy sources like solar and wind can lower our carbon footprint, which is a major component of the total. However, it's important to remember that individual actions alone aren't enough; policy changes and corporate responsibility are crucial too. The goal is to bring our footprint back within the planet's limits.
❓ 質問 What is the main point the professor makes about the ecological footprint?
A. A. It only measures carbon emissions from energy use.
B. B. It exceeds the Earth's capacity to regenerate resources.
C. C. It is best reduced through individual actions only.
D. D. It is a new concept that lacks scientific support.
✅ 正解
B. It exceeds the Earth's capacity to regenerate resources.
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
