Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a surprising factor in climate change: the role of forests. Now, you might think that planting more trees is always good, and indeed, trees absorb carbon dioxide. However, recent research suggests that in some regions, particularly in boreal forests—those in high northern latitudes—the effect of trees on climate is more complex. You see, these forests have dark canopies that absorb sunlight, which can actually warm the local area. In contrast, snow-covered ground, without trees, reflects sunlight back into space, keeping the area cooler. So, in the far north, the cooling effect of reflecting snow might be stronger than the cooling effect of carbon absorption. This doesn't mean we should cut down forests, but it does mean that the climate benefits of reforestation depend heavily on where you plant those trees. In tropical regions, trees have a clear cooling effect. But in the Arctic, the equation is different. So, we need to think regionally, not globally, when we design climate mitigation strategies.
❓ Pregunta What is the main point the professor makes about forests and climate?
A. Forests always help cool the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide.
B. The climate impact of forests varies depending on their location.
C. Boreal forests are more beneficial for climate than tropical forests.
D. Cutting down boreal forests would slow global warming.
✅ Respuesta correcta
The climate impact of forests varies depending on their 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
