科学研究： 夏季高温影响健康
同源话题 2024全国甲卷C篇 说明文|难度：中|约320词|建议用时：7分钟
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( 过敏) seasons, droughts, wildfire seasons, and diseases spread by mosquitoes last longer. People with chronic illnesses, children, and elderly individuals are more vulnerable(易受伤害的) 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.
参考答案与深度解析
【文前导读】本文为说明文，主要说明了日趋严重的夏季高温正在影响人们的生理健康，但一些低收入群体因为经济原因无法在屋内装空调，受到伤害的可能性更高，因此文章呼吁相关部门要采取措施。
1.写作意图题。本题考查段落功能。第一段的大意为：夏季高温持续时间更长————与几十年前相比，平均长了约30天。简而言之，夏天越来越热，持续时间也越来越长。又根据第二段首句可知，极端高温会影响人们的身体健康。由此可推出第一段是为了引出下文的话题。答案：B
2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“People with chronic illnesses, children, and elderly individuals are more vulnerable(易受伤害的) to heat effects”可知,患有慢性疾病的人、儿童和老年人更易受到高温影响。答案：D
3.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“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,许多低收入家庭无法使用空调。即使有空调，由于能源成本高昂，他们往往也负担不起空调的使用费用。所以低收入家庭在极端高温中会面临高昂的电费账单。答案：A
●释疑难 Q：为什么本题不选C项而选A项呢
A：根据文章，低收入家庭在极端高温期间面临的主要挑战一是许多低收入家庭缺乏空调，或者即使有空调也因高昂费用无法充分使用；二是室内温度实际上可能比室外温度更高。高温天气对所有人都是挑战，文章特别强调的是低收入家庭由于经济限制而不能有效地使用空调，从而导致室内温度过高。故最直接的挑战是高额电费，而不仅是室外温度过高。
4.推理判断题。根据最后一段中 Dr.Schinasi 说的话可知，人们必须认识到高温对健康是一种严重的危害，但从历史上看，高温从未被视为环境威胁。所以 Dr.Schinasi认为(当局)应该对高温危害予以重视，将其列为人们的健康威胁。答案：A
解疑难 Q：为什么本题不选B 项呢
A：B项表示“长期以来，极端高温一直是一个被忽视的问题”，这虽然是 Dr. Schinasi 所谈到的,但是这只是为她所要强调重点的补充说明————“It's crucial to recognize that heat is a serious health danger”,即(当局)应该认识到高温是严重的健康威胁,故应选A 项。
反复精读·积累速记
二次精读·词汇速记
核心词
decade n. 十年 title v. 给······加标题
access n. 机会,权利;通道 highlight v. 强调
update v. 更新 justice n. 公平,公正
analyze v. 分析 rent n. 租金
bill n. 账单 payment n. 付款
authority n. 当局,官方 reflect v. 反映
concern n. 担心 assess v. 评估
extreme adj. 极度的;异乎寻常的 common adj. 常见的
individual n. 个人 crucial adj. 至关重要的
emphasize v. 强调;使突出 relevant adj. 有价值的;切题的
comprehensive adj. 全部的,所有的,(几乎)无所不包的,详尽的
障碍词
overlook v. 忽视
pressing adj. 紧急的,急迫的 [ press催促,逼迫+-ing]
historically adv. 在历史上,在过去 [ history 历史+-ical 关于……的+-ly]
on average 平均 afford to do sth.负担得起做某事
put... at risk 使······受到威胁 in simple terms 简而言之
三次精读·长难句分析
长难句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”作结果状语,其中 spread by mosquitoes 作 diseases的后置定语。
翻译 它还影响了生态系统，使过敏季、干旱、野火季和由蚊子传播的疾病持续时间更长。
长难句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引导让步状语从句, “putting renters at risk”为现在分词短语作状语,表示自然而然的结果。
翻译 虽然许多地区要求房东提供暖气，但不要求房东提供降温系统，这让租房者面临风险。
参考译文：
科学研究：夏季高温影响健康
UHC的研究人员在职业生涯的大部分时间里都致力于研究高温如何影响人们的健康。今年夏天，他们的工作显得尤为重要。来自大城市健康指标的新数据显示，我们正在经历的极端高温正变得越来越普遍。每年夏天热浪都在稳步增加。UHC研究人员还注意到，夏季高温的持续时间更长了——与几十年前相比，平均延长了30天。简而言之，夏天变得越来越热，持续时间也越来越长。
极端高温会立即影响人们的身体健康。它还影响了生态系统，使过敏季节、干旱、野火季节和蚊子传播的疾病持续更长时间。患有慢性疾病的人、儿童和老年人更容易受到高温的影响。建议他们在有空调的地方保持凉爽。但如果你负担不起保持室内空间足够凉爽的费用呢？
根据UHC附属机构Leah Schinasi博士的说法，这是一个紧迫的问题。她最近的一篇评论文章题为《在美国室内高温下的生存压力》，引起了当地和全国媒体的关注。Schinasi博士强调：“许多低收入家庭无法使用空调。即使他们有，由于高昂的能源成本，他们往往也负担不起足够的费用。”
尤其是租房者，他们可能无法控制室内温度。虽然许多地区要求房东提供供暖，但他们不需要提供冷却系统，这使租房者处于危险之中。Schinasi博士向Vox解释说：“实际上，室内比室外更热，这是一个关键的环境正义问题。”
Schinasi博士和她的团队推荐了一种综合方法来减少室内高温的影响。这包括使用模型来评估风险，更新建筑规范，以及向弱势居民提供财政援助。“认识到高温对健康的严重危害是至关重要的，”Schinasi博士在Philadelphia Inquirer上强调。“从历史上看，它并没有被视为环境威胁。”
