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Listening Practice

Environmental Science Lecture (Urban Heat Islands)

Audio Controls

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Prof Pitch 1.00

Note: Click "Play" to start.

Questions

Answer the questions based on the lecture.

1. What is an "Urban Heat Island"?

(A) An island city surrounded by warm ocean currents (B) A metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas (C) A new technology for heating buildings in winter (D) A desert region that has been urbanized

Explanation: 教授は講義の冒頭で、「metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas（周辺の農村部よりも著しく暖かい都市部）」と定義しています。したがって(B)が正解です。

2. How do building materials contribute to this phenomenon?

(A) They reflect too much sunlight back into space. (B) They release water vapor that heats the air. (C) Dark surfaces like asphalt absorb and trap solar heat. (D) They are transparent and let light pass through.

Explanation: 教授は「low albedo（低いアルベド）」について触れ、アスファルトやコンクリートのような暗い表面は太陽の熱を反射せず、「absorb and retain heat（熱を吸収し保持する）」と説明しています。したがって(C)が正解です。

3. Why is the lack of vegetation a problem in cities?

(A) It reduces the cooling effect of evapotranspiration. (B) It makes the city look less attractive. (C) It prevents buildings from being built closer together. (D) It increases the number of insects.

Explanation: 教授は、植物が水分を放出する「evapotranspiration（蒸発散）」が空気を冷やす効果があるが、都市部では植物が少ないためこの冷却効果が失われていると説明しています。したがって(A)が正解です。

4. What is one solution mentioned to mitigate the heat island effect?

(A) Banning all cars from the city center (B) Installing more air conditioners (C) Removing all tall buildings (D) Creating green roofs and using reflective materials

Explanation: 講義の最後で、解決策として「green roofs（屋上緑化）」や、光を反射する「lighter-colored materials（明るい色の素材）」の使用を挙げています。したがって(D)が正解です。

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