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Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. take part in (something)
    • ex. Many people will take part in the clean-up event at the park tomorrow.
  2. a heart rate
    • ex. Running fast makes your heart rate go up because your heart beats faster.
  3. a pulse
    • ex. The nurse felt his pulse to see if his heart was beating normally.
  4. devise
    • ex. Scientists devised a new plan to stop the virus.
  5. a heat wave
    • ex. During the heat wave, many people stayed inside because it was too hot outside.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Sapnaben Chunara, a 30-year-old mother, spends most of her day outside because her home in India is too hot. Her house usually becomes even hotter than the high outdoor temperatures. This year, the heat arrived earlier than usual, reaching 43°C in early April. Chunara says that sometimes it gets so hot she cannot think clearly.

Chunara is one of 204 people in her community taking part in a special study. For one year, they will wear smartwatches that check their heart rate, sleep, and pulse. Participants also get their blood pressure checked every week. The goal of the study is to learn how extreme heat affects poor communities. Similar studies are also happening in Africa and Mexico.

Cities like Ahmedabad, where Chunara lives, have always had hot summers. However, now the heat is much stronger and can be dangerous or even deadly after just a few hours. Scientists say the Earth is getting hotter because of pollution from burning coal and gas. After many people died in 2010 from the heat, Ahmedabad devised a plan to warn people and help hospitals during heat waves.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.
Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Health and Smartwatches

  • Sapnaben Chunara took part in a study that will check her health in relation to the hot weather. Would you like to join a similar study? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think smartwatches can help people stay healthy? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you are designing a new technology for monitoring people's health. What kind of technology would it be (ex. a smart shirt, a smart ring)? Discuss.

Extreme Heat and Communities

  • How does hot weather make you feel or act (ex. get tired easily, can’t think clearly)? Discuss.
  • Describe the situation in your city/town during the hottest days of the year. Discuss.
  • Imagine that your city/town became too hot. Would you move away or try to adapt? Why? Discuss.