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Listen to an Academic Talk Test #019
Listen to an Academic Talk
1. What is the lecture mainly about?
A) The difference between geysers and hot springs
B) The dangers of living near volcanic areas
C) The process that causes geysers to erupt
D) The uses of geothermal energy from magma
2. According to the professor, what initially prevents the superheated water from turning into steam?
A) The coolness of the surrounding rock
B) The pressure of the water above it
C) The narrow shape of the underground channels
D) The chemical composition of the water
3. What can be inferred about areas where geysers are found?
A) They are likely to experience frequent earthquakes.
B) They have significant volcanic activity underground.
C) They usually have very high levels of rainfall.
D) They are typically located at high altitudes.
4. What is the professor's main purpose in describing the "plumbing system"?
A) To explain how water is trapped underground
B) To compare geysers to human-made systems
C) To question a common theory about geysers
D) To prove that geysers are getting rarer
Professor: Today we're going to explore a spectacular geological feature: the geyser. How exactly does it work?
Well, a geyser requires a specific combination of conditions. First, you need an underground source of water, usually from rain seeping deep into the ground. Second, you need an intense source of heat, which comes from magma, or molten rock, not far below the surface.
The water collects in a narrow, constricted plumbing system of rock. The magma heats the rock, which then boils the water at the very bottom of the system. However, the immense pressure from the column of water above prevents it from turning to steam.
The temperature keeps rising past the boiling point, until finally the pressure is too great. It violently forces a column of steam and hot water to the surface in a powerful eruption.
Well, a geyser requires a specific combination of conditions. First, you need an underground source of water, usually from rain seeping deep into the ground. Second, you need an intense source of heat, which comes from magma, or molten rock, not far below the surface.
The water collects in a narrow, constricted plumbing system of rock. The magma heats the rock, which then boils the water at the very bottom of the system. However, the immense pressure from the column of water above prevents it from turning to steam.
The temperature keeps rising past the boiling point, until finally the pressure is too great. It violently forces a column of steam and hot water to the surface in a powerful eruption.
Highlights
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