Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands. As cities grow, they replace natural surfaces like soil and vegetation with concrete, asphalt, and buildings. These materials absorb and retain heat much more than natural landscapes do. During the day, the sun heats these surfaces, and at night, they slowly release that heat, keeping cities warmer than surrounding rural areas. This effect is strongest in densely built areas with little greenery. However, there are ways to mitigate it. One common strategy is to increase the albedo, or reflectivity, of surfaces. For example, painting rooftops white or using reflective paving materials can reduce heat absorption. Another approach is to plant more trees and create green roofs, which provide shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration. Studies show that these measures can lower city temperatures by several degrees, reducing energy needs for air conditioning and improving public health. So, urban planning plays a crucial role in managing local climate.
❓ 문제 According to the professor, what is one way to reduce the urban heat island effect?
A. Increasing the number of cars in the city
B. Planting more trees and creating green roofs
C. Replacing natural soil with concrete
D. Using darker paving materials
✅ 정답
Planting more 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
