Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a surprising ally in the fight against climate change: beavers. You might think of beavers as simple dam builders, but their impact on ecosystems is profound. When beavers build dams, they create wetlands, which store large amounts of water. This water storage helps mitigate floods and droughts. Moreover, the ponds formed behind the dams slow down the flow of carbon-rich sediment, locking carbon in the soil for centuries. Recent studies show that beaver-created wetlands can store up to twice as much carbon as nearby streams without beaver activity. This is because the waterlogged conditions slow down decomposition, keeping organic matter from releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. So, by restoring beaver populations in areas where they've been wiped out, we might be able to enhance natural carbon sinks. However, beavers can also cause conflicts with human land use, such as flooding roads or farmland. Therefore, conservationists are exploring coexistence strategies, like installing flow devices to manage water levels. These efforts could make beavers a key part of our climate toolkit.
❓ 문제 What is the main reason the professor describes beavers as beneficial in the fight against climate change?
A. They build dams that directly reduce carbon emissions from factories.
B. Their wetlands store carbon and slow down the release of carbon dioxide.
C. They prevent floods and droughts by changing weather patterns.
D. They create ponds that attract wildlife, which absorbs carbon.
✅ 정답
Their wetlands store carbon and slow down the release of carbon dioxide.
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
