[2026] PTE Academic Listening - Fill in the Blanks (Type In)

The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon where metropolitan areas experience higher than their surrounding rural environments. This disparity is primarily caused by the of natural vegetation with asphalt and concrete surfaces. These materials absorb and retain solar heat during the day and release it slowly throughout the night. Furthermore, the lack of trees reduces the cooling effect provided by . This temperature increase can lead to a significant surge in energy for air conditioning systems. To mitigate these effects, city planners are exploring such as installing reflective rooftops and expanding urban parks. Such are crucial for improving the livability and resilience of modern cities.