This summer, the UK, and much of the northern hemisphere, has experienced a heatwave – a sustained period of roasting temperatures and scorching sunshine. While many welcome the Sun and warmth, too much can be dangerous to health. So what are the best ways to keep cool ?
Firstly, avoiding exposure is a good idea, says the UK Met office. This means not going out in direct sunlight , or, where possible, sticking to shadows and shade . This also means that covering up is a good idea. Wear loose, airy clothing, which fully covers the body, as well as a hat and sunglasses. In addition, a parasol could provide valuable protection. Finally, the UK's National Health Service recommends not going out between 11 in the morning and three in the afternoon if you are vulnerable to the Sun.
Staying hydrated is another excellent idea. The human body is approximately 60% water, which on a hot day, can be depleted through sweat . If this water is not replenished, dehydration can occur. The US Geological Survey's water science school recommends drinking three litres a day for an adult male, and 2.3 litres for an adult female, though this varies according to circumstance. You should also avoid alcohol, which dehydrates the body.
Whether at home or at work, steps should be taken to reduce temperatures indoors, too. Blinds , curtains and shades should be closed and windows opened to allow the building to ventilate . This is especially important at night while you sleep. The UK Met office says "night cooling is important as it allows the body to recuperate."
Finally, for those working outside, extra precautions should be taken. In addition to staying covered and drinking water, high-factor sunscreen should be worn to stop sunburn and the possible development of skin cancer. In addition, those who perform physical tasks in the Sun should be careful of heatstroke , which, according to the UK Met Office, can be fatal.
For many, summer is a well-loved period of warmth and outdoor activity, but as the old saying goes, everything in moderation. That said, as long as people remember the basics and look after themselves, there is no reason why a prolonged heatwave can't become the summer that everyone remembers.
词汇表heatwave 热浪roasting 炙热的，灼热的scorching 酷热的cool 凉爽的exposure （身体）接触阳光direct sunlight 直射光shadow 阴影shade 阴凉处cover up 遮盖airy 轻盈透气的parasol 遮阳伞hydrated （身体）水分充足的sweat 汗dehydration （身体）脱水dehydrate 使…脱水blinds 百叶窗shades 卷帘ventilate 给…通风high-factor sunscreen 高倍数防晒霜heatstroke 中暑
测验与练习1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. True or False: Only the UK will experience a heatwave this summer.
2. When should a person vulnerable to the Sun avoid going out during the day?
3. How much water should a person drink per day?
4. Why is it important to sleep with the windows open?
5. What is a possible outcome of heatstroke?
2. 请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. In the desert, there is little protection from the Sun. You can easily die from ______.
roasting scorching exposure shade
2. Once we get in, we need to ______ the building so open all the doors and windows.
sweat cover up ventilate airy
3. It's a cold day today so make sure you ______. Take and wear your jacket and scarf, please.
sweat cover up ventilate cool
4. Tea is a diuretic. It makes you urinate. You can become ______ from too much tea!
dehydration dehydrate dehydrates dehydrated
5. I love your baggy trousers. Are they linen? They must be so ______ in this heat!
airy shadowy shady sweaty
答案1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
- True or False: Only the UK will experience a heatwave this summer .
False. The northern hemisphere has experienced a heatwave too.
2. When should a person vulnerable to the Sun avoid going out during the day?The UK's National Health Service recommends not going out between 11 in the morning and three in the afternoon.
3. How much water should a person drink per day?
How much water should a person drink per day?
The US Geological Survey's water science school recommends drinking 3 litres a day for an adult male, and 2.3 litres for an adult female, though this varies based on circumstance.4. Why is it important to sleep with the windows open?Night cooling is important as it allows the body to recuperate.
5. What is a possible outcome of heatstroke?Heatstroke can be fatal.
The US Geological Survey's water science school recommends drinking 3 litres a day for an adult male, and 2.3 litres for an adult female, though this varies based on circumstance.
2. 请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. In the desert, there is little protection from the Sun. You can easily die from exposure .
2. Once we get in, we need to ventilate the building, so open all the doors and windows .3. It's a cold day today so make sure you cover up . Take and wear your jacket and scarf, please .4. Tea is a diuretic. It makes you urinate. You can become dehydrated from too much tea!5. I love your baggy trousers. Are they linen? They must be so airy in this heat!
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