資源簡介

科學研究： 夏季高溫影響健康
同源話題 2024全國甲卷C篇 說明文|難度：中|約320詞|建議用時：7分鐘
Researchers at UHC have dedicated much of their careers to studying how heat affects people's health. This summer has made their work especially relevant. New data from the Big Cities Health Indicators show that the extreme heat we' re experiencing is becoming more common. Heat waves are increasing steadily each summer. UHC researchers have also noticed that summer heat is lasting longer—— about 30 days longer on average compared to decades ago. In simple terms, summers are getting hotter and lasting longer.
Extreme heat can immediately impact people's physical health. It has also affected ecosystems, making allergy( 過敏) seasons, droughts, wildfire seasons, and diseases spread by mosquitoes last longer. People with chronic illnesses, children, and elderly individuals are more vulnerable(易受傷害的) to heat effects. They are advised to stay cool in air-conditioned spaces. But what if you can't afford to keep your indoor space cool enough
This is a pressing issue, according to UHC Affiliate Dr. Leah Schinasi. Her recent review article, titled“Surviving indoor heat stress in the United States”, has gained attention from local and national media. Dr. Schinasi highlighted, “Many low-income households lack access to air conditioning. Even if they have it, they often can't afford to use it enough due to high energy costs.”
Renters, in particular, may not have control over indoor temperatures. While many areas require landlords to provide heat, they are not required to provide cooling systems, putting renters at risk. Dr. Schinasi explained, “It can actually get hotter indoors than outside, which is a critical environmental justice issue.”
Dr. Schinasi and her team recommend a comprehensive approach to reducing the impacts of indoor heat. This includes using models to assess risk, updating building codes, and providing financial assistance to vulnerable residents. “It's crucial to recognize that heat is a serious health danger,” Dr. Schinasi emphasized in the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Historically, it hasn't been seen as an environmental threat.”
1. What is the function of Paragraph 1
A. Offering data. B. Leading to the topic.
C. Making a comparison. D. Analyzing the concept.
2. Which impact might extreme heat have
A. It might bring heavy floods B. It might keep people indoors.
C. It might influence mental health. D. It might severely affect vulnerable people.
3. What challenge might low-income families face during extreme heat
A. High electricity bills. B. Increased rent payments.
C. Too high outdoor temperatures. D. Inexpensive air conditioning units.
4. Which of the following best reflects Dr. Schinasi's main concern
A. Authorities should recognize heat as a serious threat.
B. Extreme heat has been an overlooked issue for a long time.
C. People should stay indoors more often during extreme heat.
D. Vulnerable populations should have access to air conditioning.
參考答案與深度解析
【文前導讀】本文為說明文，主要說明了日趨嚴重的夏季高溫正在影響人們的生理健康，但一些低收入群體因為經濟原因無法在屋內裝空調，受到傷害的可能性更高，因此文章呼吁相關部門要采取措施。
1.寫作意圖題。本題考查段落功能。第一段的大意為：夏季高溫持續時間更長————與幾十年前相比，平均長了約30天。簡而言之，夏天越來越熱，持續時間也越來越長。又根據第二段首句可知，極端高溫會影響人們的身體健康。由此可推出第一段是為了引出下文的話題。答案：B
2.細節理解題。根據第二段中的“People with chronic illnesses, children, and elderly individuals are more vulnerable(易受傷害的) to heat effects”可知,患有慢性疾病的人、兒童和老年人更易受到高溫影響。答案：D
3.細節理解題。根據第三段中的“Many low-income households lack access to air conditioning. Even if they have it, they often can't afford to use it enough due to high energy costs”可知,許多低收入家庭無法使用空調。即使有空調，由于能源成本高昂，他們往往也負擔不起空調的使用費用。所以低收入家庭在極端高溫中會面臨高昂的電費賬單。答案：A
●釋疑難 Q：為什么本題不選C項而選A項呢
A：根據文章，低收入家庭在極端高溫期間面臨的主要挑戰一是許多低收入家庭缺乏空調，或者即使有空調也因高昂費用無法充分使用；二是室內溫度實際上可能比室外溫度更高。高溫天氣對所有人都是挑戰，文章特別強調的是低收入家庭由于經濟限制而不能有效地使用空調，從而導致室內溫度過高。故最直接的挑戰是高額電費，而不僅是室外溫度過高。
4.推理判斷題。根據最后一段中 Dr.Schinasi 說的話可知，人們必須認識到高溫對健康是一種嚴重的危害，但從歷史上看，高溫從未被視為環境威脅。所以 Dr.Schinasi認為(當局)應該對高溫危害予以重視，將其列為人們的健康威脅。答案：A
解疑難 Q：為什么本題不選B 項呢
A：B項表示“長期以來，極端高溫一直是一個被忽視的問題”，這雖然是 Dr. Schinasi 所談到的,但是這只是為她所要強調重點的補充說明————“It's crucial to recognize that heat is a serious health danger”,即(當局)應該認識到高溫是嚴重的健康威脅,故應選A 項。
反復精讀·積累速記
二次精讀·詞匯速記
核心詞
decade n. 十年 title v. 給······加標題
access n. 機會,權利;通道 highlight v. 強調
update v. 更新 justice n. 公平,公正
analyze v. 分析 rent n. 租金
bill n. 賬單 payment n. 付款
authority n. 當局,官方 reflect v. 反映
concern n. 擔心 assess v. 評估
extreme adj. 極度的;異乎尋常的 common adj. 常見的
individual n. 個人 crucial adj. 至關重要的
emphasize v. 強調;使突出 relevant adj. 有價值的;切題的
comprehensive adj. 全部的,所有的,(幾乎)無所不包的,詳盡的
障礙詞
overlook v. 忽視
pressing adj. 緊急的,急迫的 [ press催促,逼迫+-ing]
historically adv. 在歷史上,在過去 [ history 歷史+-ical 關于……的+-ly]
on average 平均 afford to do sth.負擔得起做某事
put... at risk 使······受到威脅 in simple terms 簡而言之
三次精讀·長難句分析
長難句①It has also affected ecosystems, making allergy seasons, droughts, wildfi re seasons, and diseases spread by mosquitoes last longer.( Para.2)
剖析 本句中, “making... last longer”作結果狀語,其中 spread by mosquitoes 作 diseases的后置定語。
翻譯 它還影響了生態系統，使過敏季、干旱、野火季和由蚊子傳播的疾病持續時間更長。
長難句② While many areas require landlords to provide heat, they are not required to provide cooling systems, putting renters at risk.( Para.4)
剖析 本句中 While引導讓步狀語從句, “putting renters at risk”為現在分詞短語作狀語,表示自然而然的結果。
翻譯 雖然許多地區要求房東提供暖氣，但不要求房東提供降溫系統，這讓租房者面臨風險。
參考譯文：
科學研究：夏季高溫影響健康
UHC的研究人員在職業生涯的大部分時間里都致力于研究高溫如何影響人們的健康。今年夏天，他們的工作顯得尤為重要。來自大城市健康指標的新數據顯示，我們正在經歷的極端高溫正變得越來越普遍。每年夏天熱浪都在穩步增加。UHC研究人員還注意到，夏季高溫的持續時間更長了——與幾十年前相比，平均延長了30天。簡而言之，夏天變得越來越熱，持續時間也越來越長。
極端高溫會立即影響人們的身體健康。它還影響了生態系統，使過敏季節、干旱、野火季節和蚊子傳播的疾病持續更長時間。患有慢性疾病的人、兒童和老年人更容易受到高溫的影響。建議他們在有空調的地方保持涼爽。但如果你負擔不起保持室內空間足夠涼爽的費用呢？
根據UHC附屬機構Leah Schinasi博士的說法，這是一個緊迫的問題。她最近的一篇評論文章題為《在美國室內高溫下的生存壓力》，引起了當地和全國媒體的關注。Schinasi博士強調：“許多低收入家庭無法使用空調。即使他們有，由于高昂的能源成本，他們往往也負擔不起足夠的費用。”
尤其是租房者，他們可能無法控制室內溫度。雖然許多地區要求房東提供供暖，但他們不需要提供冷卻系統，這使租房者處于危險之中。Schinasi博士向Vox解釋說：“實際上，室內比室外更熱，這是一個關鍵的環境正義問題。”
Schinasi博士和她的團隊推薦了一種綜合方法來減少室內高溫的影響。這包括使用模型來評估風險，更新建筑規范，以及向弱勢居民提供財政援助。“認識到高溫對健康的嚴重危害是至關重要的，”Schinasi博士在Philadelphia Inquirer上強調。“從歷史上看，它并沒有被視為環境威脅。”

展開更多......

收起↑