Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a heatwave
    • ex. During the summer heatwave, many people spent their afternoons at the beach to stay cool.
  2. a local
    • ex. The locals on the island are always very friendly and helpful to tourists.
  3. pass down
    • ex. The history and tradition of our town have been passed down through grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren.
  4. a shutter
    • ex. Before the storm started, we went outside to close the wooden shutters on the windows.
  5. escape
    • ex. The family decided to stay indoors to escape the heavy rain.

Article

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

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Residents of Croatia’s Rab Island are using traditional ways to stay cool as Northern Europe faces another heatwave. While many people use air conditioners, locals on the Adriatic island follow habits passed down through generations. They finish outdoor work early in the morning or late in the evening and stay indoors during the hottest hours. They also avoid the midday sun, while many tourists continue walking outside.

Many homes in Rab’s old town were built to keep out the summer heat. Thick stone walls, windows with two layers of glass, and wooden shutters help keep houses cool during the day. People close the shutters to block heat and open them at night to let in cooler air. The town’s narrow streets were also designed to provide shade, making it easier for people to stay comfortable without air conditioning.

The sea is another important way for residents to escape the heat, and many people swim during the warmest part of the day. As heatwaves become more common, locals say these simple building designs and daily habits continue to work well with modern ways to stay cool.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Ways to Keep Cool During Heatwaves

  • In Rab's old town, people stay cool by using thick stone walls, closing wooden shutters, and staying indoors during the hottest hours. Do you think the ways people in your country use to stay cool are very similar to the traditional ways on Rab Island? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your country, when the weather gets extremely hot, do you find it easy to change your daily schedule and outdoor activities to stay cool? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • As summers get hotter, do you think your country should change official working or school hours? Why or why not? Discuss.

Traditional and Modern Ways

  • Today, many people use air conditioners to stay cool. Do you think we should combine air conditioners with traditional ways to stay cool and save energy (ex. using curtains/shutters, eating cold food)? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Has anyone in your family ever passed down a traditional habit or trick for staying cool that does not use electricity? Discuss.
  • Which do you prefer to use to keep cool during summer: traditional ways or modern ways? Discuss.