Understanding Ocean Currents and Climate
Listen to the following passage:
Speaker: Today, we are going to discuss ocean currents and their impact on climate. Ocean currents are large-scale flows of seawater that circulate throughout the world's oceans. They play a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate by distributing heat from the equator to the poles. For instance, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico up the eastern coast of the United States and across the Atlantic to Europe, significantly impacting the climate in those regions. Additionally, ocean currents influence weather patterns and can even affect the frequency and intensity of storms. Understanding these currents is essential for predicting climate change and preparing for its impacts.
Note: This question has been adapted from its original format to accommodate a reading-based version. In the official TOEFL exam, speaking and listening sections require verbal responses and audio prompts, which are not represented here. Please note that this adaptation may not fully reflect the nature or difficulty of the official exam. The audio feature for these sections will be available soon.