TOEFL iBT Practice Test 36

Isla: Ben, are you leaning toward the philosophy seminar or the sociology one for next term? Ben: I'm torn. The philosophy one covers ethics, which sounds interesting, but it has a lot of reading. Isla: The sociology seminar focuses on social movements, and I heard the workload is a bit lighter. Ben: That's tempting, especially since I'm already taking two reading-heavy courses. Isla: True, though if you're more interested in ethics long term, the workload might be worth it. Ben: That's a fair point. I think I'll go with philosophy after all, since it fits my interests better. Isla: Sounds like a good decision, follow your interest over the easier option. Ben: Exactly, thanks for talking it through with me.

Attention, students. The annual career fair will take place this Thursday in the main gymnasium from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon. More than sixty companies are expected to attend, spanning fields from technology to healthcare to finance. Bring several copies of your resume, and dress professionally, as many recruiters conduct short interviews on the spot. A list of attending companies is now available on the career services website, so we encourage you to research a few beforehand. Free shuttle service will run from the dorms every twenty minutes starting at nine thirty for anyone who needs a ride.

So, today we're looking at the urban heat island effect, a well-documented phenomenon where cities are measurably warmer than surrounding rural areas, sometimes by several degrees, especially at night. A few factors combine to produce this. First, materials common in urban environments, like asphalt and dark rooftops, absorb and retain far more solar heat during the day than natural surfaces like grass or soil, then slowly release that stored heat throughout the evening and overnight, keeping urban air temperatures elevated long after sunset. Second, cities generally have far less vegetation, and plants naturally cool their surroundings through a process called evapotranspiration, essentially releasing water vapor that cools the air, similar to how sweating cools our own bodies. Fewer plants means less of this natural cooling effect citywide. Third, the sheer density of buildings restricts airflow compared to open rural landscapes, trapping warm air between structures rather than allowing it to circulate and disperse. Beyond just discomfort, this effect has real consequences: increased energy demand for air conditioning, worsened air quality since heat accelerates certain chemical reactions that produce smog, and disproportionate health risks for vulnerable populations during heat waves. Cities are increasingly experimenting with countermeasures, including reflective, light-colored rooftop coatings and expanded urban tree cover, both aimed at reducing this heat-trapping effect.