Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Professor: Today we're going to talk about a surprising source of pollution: our laundry. When we wash synthetic fabrics like polyester, tiny fibers, called microfibers, break off and enter the wastewater. These fibers are less than five millimeters long, and they're too small to be caught by most wastewater treatment filters. As a result, they end up in rivers and oceans, where they can be ingested by fish and other marine life. Studies have shown that microfibers make up a large percentage of microplastics found in the ocean. But here's an interesting twist: some researchers have discovered that adding a simple filter to washing machines can capture up to 90% of these fibers. However, these filters are not yet widely used because they are not required by law and add cost to the machines. So, while there are individual actions we can take, like washing clothes less often or using colder water, the bigger solution may require policy changes. Any questions?
❓ Question What is the main problem the professor discusses?
A. Synthetic fabrics are not durable and wear out quickly.
B. Microfibers from laundry pollute water systems and harm marine life.
C. Wastewater treatment filters are too expensive to install.
D. Cold water washing is less effective than hot water washing.
✅ Correct Answer
Microfibers from laundry pollute water systems and harm marine life.
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
