From VOA Learning English, this is Science in the News. I’m Faith Lapidus.
And I'm Bob Doughty. Today we talk about hot weather2 in the United States and around the world. We also2 tell you about the best ways to prevent3 and treat4 problems caused by extreme heat5.
Floods6, storms7 and other natural events kill 8thousands of people every year. So does extreme heat. In fact9, experts10 say heat may be11 nature’s deadliest12 killer. Several13 hot days that follow each other14 are considered a heat wave15. Experts say heat waves often become dangerous when the nighttime16 temperature does not drop17 much from the highest18 daytime temperature. This puts great pressure19 on the human body.
Over the past month, the northeastern United States has been very hot. Amtrak, the passenger railroad20 service, announced on July 18th that it was reducing the speed at which its trains travel in the Northeast.
And I'm Bob Doughty. Today we talk about hot weather2 in the United States and around the world. We also2 tell you about the best ways to prevent3 and treat4 problems caused by extreme heat5.
Floods6, storms7 and other natural events kill 8thousands of people every year. So does extreme heat. In fact9, experts10 say heat may be11 nature’s deadliest12 killer. Several13 hot days that follow each other14 are considered a heat wave15. Experts say heat waves often become dangerous when the nighttime16 temperature does not drop17 much from the highest18 daytime temperature. This puts great pressure19 on the human body.
Over the past month, the northeastern United States has been very hot. Amtrak, the passenger railroad20 service, announced on July 18th that it was reducing the speed at which its trains travel in the Northeast.
The reason21: extreme heat. Amtrak said it made the decision after the temperature inside some traintracks rose above 48.9 degrees Celsius22.
The hot weather also reached23 the northern state of Alaska. Alaska is known for24 cold weather in winter25 and mild summers26. In June, the town of Talkeetna, 200 kilometers north of Anchorage, hit26 an all-time high27 of 35.5 degrees Celsius.
The hot weather also reached23 the northern state of Alaska. Alaska is known for24 cold weather in winter25 and mild summers26. In June, the town of Talkeetna, 200 kilometers north of Anchorage, hit26 an all-time high27 of 35.5 degrees Celsius.
The National Weather Service says the average29 temperature there for
this time of year is
17.8 degrees.
How have some Americans avoided30 heat-related disorders31, especially if they do not have air conditioners32? In California,Nevada and Arizona, officials have set up33 “cooling34 centers” in libraries, community centers and homeless35 shelters36.
Along the border37 with Mexico, additional officers have been deployed38 out of concern39 for people seeking to enter40 the United States. There was a report that at least41 three people who attempted to cross42 the border illegally43 into Arizona were found dead44 in June. Officials say they most likely45 died because of the extreme heat.
On the other side of the world, some people died in Shanghai, China during46 the city’s hottest July in 140 years. The temperature in several47 Chinese provinces hit over 39 degrees Celsius. One television station showed images of a piece of meat cooking48 in the street to demonstrate the extreme heat. The China Meteorological Administration
How have some Americans avoided30 heat-related disorders31, especially if they do not have air conditioners32? In California,Nevada and Arizona, officials have set up33 “cooling34 centers” in libraries, community centers and homeless35 shelters36.
Along the border37 with Mexico, additional officers have been deployed38 out of concern39 for people seeking to enter40 the United States. There was a report that at least41 three people who attempted to cross42 the border illegally43 into Arizona were found dead44 in June. Officials say they most likely45 died because of the extreme heat.
On the other side of the world, some people died in Shanghai, China during46 the city’s hottest July in 140 years. The temperature in several47 Chinese provinces hit over 39 degrees Celsius. One television station showed images of a piece of meat cooking48 in the street to demonstrate the extreme heat. The China Meteorological Administration
Warned49 people to limit outdoor activities50.
In Australia, record-setting51 heat fueled52 bush fires53 across54 Tasmania earlier this year. The highest temperature, 49.6, was recorded in Moomba, South Australia.
Hot Weather Can Be Dangerous55
Doctors say people can do many things to protect themselves56 from the dangers of extreme heat. Stay out of the sun, if possible. Drink lots of cool water57. Wear light-colored clothing58 and hats made of natural materials. Make sure the clothing is loose59, permitting freedom60 of movement.
Also, learn the danger signs of the medical problems linked to61 heat.The most common health problem linked to hot weather is heat stress. Usually62, it is also the least severe63. In Australia, record-setting51 heat fueled52 bush fires53 across54 Tasmania earlier this year. The highest temperature, 49.6, was recorded in Moomba, South Australia.
Hot Weather Can Be Dangerous55
Doctors say people can do many things to protect themselves56 from the dangers of extreme heat. Stay out of the sun, if possible. Drink lots of cool water57. Wear light-colored clothing58 and hats made of natural materials. Make sure the clothing is loose59, permitting freedom60 of movement.
Vocabulary
1. hot weather = clima quente
2. also = tambem
3. the best ways to prevent = as melhores formas de prevenir
4. treat = tartar
5. extreme heat = calor extreme
6. Floods = enchentes
7. storms = tempestades
8. kill = matar
9. In fact = na verdade
10. experts = especialistas
11. may be = pode ser
12. deadliest = o mais fatal
13. Several = diversos
14. follow each other = seguem uns aos outros
15. heat wave = onda de calor
16. nighttime = periodo noturno
17. drop = cair
18. highest = a mais alta
19. puts great pressure = coloca grande pressão
20. railroad = linha ferroviária
21. reason = razão
22. degrees Celsius = graus Celsius
23. reached = alcançou
24. known for = conhecido por
25. winter = inverno
26. mild summers = verões amenos
27. hit = atingiu
28. all-time high = mais alto de todos os tempos
29. average = media
30. avoided = evitado
31. heat-related disorders = doenças relacionadas ao calor
32. air conditioners = ar condicionado
33. have set up = tem instalado
34. cooling = refrigeração
35. homeless = desabrigados
36. shelters = abrigos
37. Along the border = ao longo da fronteira
38. have been deployed = tem sido posicionados
39. concern = preocupação
40. seeking to enter = buscando entrar
41. at least = pelo menos
42. attempted to cross = tentaram cruzar
43. illegally = ilegalmente
44. were found dead = foram encontrados mortos
45. most likely = mais provavel
46. during = durante
47. several = vários
48. piece of meat cooking = pedaço de carne cozinhando
49. warned = alertou
50. outdoor activities = atividades ao ar livre
51. record-setting = recordista
52. fueled = abasteceu
53. bush fires = incendios florestais
54. across = ao longo de
55. Can Be Dangerous = pode ser perigoso
56. protect themselves = protegerem a si mesmos
57. cool water = água fresca
58. Wear light-colored clothing = Vista roupas de cores leves
59. Make sure the clothing is loose = certifique-se de que as roupas estejam folgadas
60. Freedom = liberdade
61. linked to = ligado a
62. Usually = normalmente
63. the least severe o menos severo
