Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: Today we're going to talk about a surprising source of pollution: your laundry. When you wash synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, they shed thousands of tiny plastic fibers called microfibers. These fibers are less than five millimeters long, and they're too small to be caught by most water treatment filters. So they end up in rivers, oceans, and even in the fish we eat. A recent study found that a single fleece jacket can release up to 1.7 grams of microfibers per wash. That might not sound like much, but consider that billions of people wash clothes every day. Researchers are now looking at solutions, such as designing filters for washing machines or developing biodegradable fabrics. However, the simplest immediate step is to wash full loads and use cold water, which reduces fiber shedding. So while we often think of plastic pollution as coming from bottles and bags, our clothing is a major contributor that we can control.
❓ Вопрос What is the main point the professor makes about microfibers?
A. A) They are too large to pass through water treatment filters.
B. B) They are a growing source of plastic pollution from washing clothes.
C. C) They are only released from natural fabrics like cotton.
D. D) They have been completely eliminated by new washing machine filters.
✅ Правильный ответ
B) They are a growing source of plastic pollution from washing clothes.
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
