Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about urban heat islands. As you know, cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is due to several factors. First, concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat during the day and release it slowly at night. Second, buildings and roads reduce the amount of vegetation, which normally cools the air through evapotranspiration. Third, waste heat from cars, air conditioners, and industrial processes adds to the overall temperature. But there are strategies to mitigate this effect. One effective approach is increasing green spaces, like parks and green roofs, which provide shade and release moisture. Another is using reflective materials for roofs and pavements to bounce sunlight back into space. These measures can lower city temperatures by several degrees, reducing energy consumption for cooling and improving public health. However, implementing them requires careful planning and investment, and the benefits are not always immediately obvious. So, while the problem is well understood, the solutions demand long-term commitment from policymakers and communities alike.
❓ Pregunta According to the professor, what is one strategy mentioned to reduce the urban heat island effect?
A. Increasing the use of air conditioning in public buildings
B. Planting more trees and creating green roofs
C. Building taller structures to increase shade
D. Using darker materials for roads to absorb more heat
✅ Respuesta correcta
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
