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Listen to an Academic Talk Test #034
Listen to an Academic Talk
1. What is the talk mainly about?
A) The differences between hot springs and geysers
B) The scientific reasons for geyser eruptions
C) The dangers of living near volcanic areas
D) The tourist attractions at Yellowstone Park
2. According to the speaker, what provides the heat for a geyser?
A) The pressure of the underground water
B) Sunlight warming the surface of the Earth
C) Friction from water moving through rocks
D) Hot molten rock below the Earth's crust
3. What does the speaker imply about the conditions needed for geysers to form?
A) They are becoming more common over time
B) They can be easily replicated by scientists
C) They are not present in most parts of the world
D) They exist in all areas with volcanic activity
4. What is the function of the "natural plumbing system" the professor mentions?
A) It cools the water before it erupts
B) It filters impurities from the groundwater
C) It allows pressure from steam to build up
D) It mixes the hot water with cold water
Professor: Alright, let's talk about a spectacular geological feature: geysers. A geyser is a rare kind of hot spring that is under pressure and erupts, sending a column of hot water and steam into the air. The word 'geyser' actually comes from an Icelandic word meaning "to gush."
So, how do they work? It all starts with groundwater that seeps deep into the earth. Down there, it comes into contact with rock that is heated by magma—the molten rock beneath the Earth's crust. The water boils, turning into steam. This steam creates immense pressure in a network of underground cracks, a sort of natural plumbing system. When the pressure becomes too great, it forces the water above it out in a powerful eruption.
This combination of abundant water, a potent heat source, and a specific plumbing system is quite rare. That's why geysers are only found in a few places on Earth, like Yellowstone National Park in the United States, which has hundreds of them.
So, how do they work? It all starts with groundwater that seeps deep into the earth. Down there, it comes into contact with rock that is heated by magma—the molten rock beneath the Earth's crust. The water boils, turning into steam. This steam creates immense pressure in a network of underground cracks, a sort of natural plumbing system. When the pressure becomes too great, it forces the water above it out in a powerful eruption.
This combination of abundant water, a potent heat source, and a specific plumbing system is quite rare. That's why geysers are only found in a few places on Earth, like Yellowstone National Park in the United States, which has hundreds of them.
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