Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. exacerbate
    • ex. Loud noise can exacerbate my headache.
  2. humidity
    • ex. When humidity is high, the air feels hot and wet.
  3. prolonged
    • ex. She had a prolonged cough that didn’t go away for weeks.
  4. demanding
    • ex. This new project is very demanding, so I have to work long hours.
  5. a cramp
    • ex. You can get a muscle cramp in your leg if you run too much.

Article

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

Font size

Climate change has been exacerbating heat waves. The planet is getting hotter because people burn fuels like coal, oil, and gas. This means places that are already hot will get even hotter. Heat is not just uncomfortable. It can be dangerous, especially for children, the elderly, and sick people.

Dangerous heat is more than just the temperature. Humidity, clouds, and wind can affect heat. A heat index uses temperature and humidity to tell you how hot it feels. If the heat index is too high, prolonged time outside and physically demanding tasks can be dangerous. To stay cool, use air conditioning if possible. If not, try making a cool area in your home. You can also go to public places like shopping malls or libraries.

Drink a lot of water and cool your body. Put cold water on your hands, feet, or neck. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day. Heat illness signs can be different for everyone. Watch for signs of heat illness, like heavy sweating, muscle cramps, or headache. If you feel these, rest and try to cool down right away.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Heat Illness

  • Why do you think extreme heat is dangerous for people? Discuss.
  • Do you think heat illness is becoming more common in your country now? Discuss.
  • How do you think we can help the elderly or children stay safe during a heat wave? Discuss.

Staying Cool

  • What is your favorite way to stay cool in hot weather (ex. eating ice cream, going to the shopping mall)? Discuss.
  • Do you think air conditioning is necessary during a heat wave? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you live in a very hot place without cooling. What new ideas do you have for staying cool during heat waves? Discuss.