Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class.
Professor: Today, let's talk about urban heat islands. An urban heat island occurs when a city is significantly warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This happens mainly because concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit heat more than natural landscapes do. Also, buildings block wind, reducing cooling. But here's an interesting point: not all parts of a city are equally hot. Parks and green spaces can be several degrees cooler than nearby dense urban blocks. Trees provide shade and release water vapor through transpiration, which cools the air. Some cities are using this knowledge. For example, they are planting green roofs—rooftops covered with vegetation—to lower building temperatures and reduce energy use. However, a common misconception is that simply adding a few trees will solve the problem. In reality, the effect is local. You need continuous green corridors to make a measurable difference across a whole district. So, urban planning must consider the scale and connectivity of green spaces.
❓ Câu hỏi What does the professor emphasize about the effectiveness of green spaces in reducing urban heat?
A. Green spaces only work if they are large enough and connected.
B. Adding trees in any location will lower city-wide temperatures.
C. Green roofs are more effective than parks in cooling the air.
D. Urban heat islands affect rural areas more than cities.
✅ Đáp án đúng
Green spaces only work if they are large enough and connected.
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
