Beat the Heat (Intermediate)
Updated: Sep 3
Toronto Public Health Extreme Heat Advisory
Toronto Public Health has issued an extreme heat advisory. Exposure to elevated temperatures poses severe health risks. Heat-related illnesses include heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat rash, and muscle cramps. Fortunately, these conditions are preventable if people take proactive steps to stay safe.
Recognizing Symptoms & Taking Action
Monitor yourself and others for warning signs, which include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, a persistent headache, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate. If you experience these symptoms, immediately move to a cool place and consume liquids. Opt for cool water rather than ice-cold drinks, which can cause stomach cramps.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Call 9-1-1 if someone exhibits a high body temperature accompanied by confusion, altered consciousness, or a complete lack of sweat. While waiting for emergency services, cool the person right away by moving them into the shade, removing excess garments, and applying cool water to their skin.
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Tips to Beat the Heat
Maintain hydration by drinking water steadily throughout the day rather than waiting for thirst triggers.
Seek refuge in designated cooling areas during the hottest parts of the day.
Wear loose, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.
Avoid strenuous physical activities, such as running or cycling, during peak hours.
Remember "The Shadow Rule": If your shadow is shorter than your actual height, solar radiation is strong—stay in the shade!
At-Risk Populations
Certain groups face a much higher risk during extreme weather:
Isolated older adults who live alone without social support.
Infants and young children.
Individuals with chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or respiratory illness.
People experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness.
Check in on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors by phone, text, or video call to make sure they stay safe and cool.
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I. Vocabulary:
1. Elevated (adjective) — Higher than normal in amount, level, or degree (e.g., elevated body temperature).
2. Proactive (adjective) — Taking action early to prevent a problem before it happens, rather than waiting to react later.
3. Persistent (adjective) — Continuing for a long time or refusing to go away (e.g., a persistent headache).
4. Opt for (phrasal verb) — To choose or select one option instead of another.
5. Intervention (noun) — Action taken to improve a situation, prevent harm, or stop an emergency.
6. Accompanied (verb / past participle used as adjective) — Happening together with something else; going along with.
7. Altered consciousness (noun phrase) — A medical state where a person's mental awareness, clarity, or responsiveness is abnormal or confused.
8. Maintain (verb) — To keep something continuing at the same level or standard without letting it decrease (e.g., maintain hydration).
9. Triggers (noun) — Signals, events, or physical feelings that cause a specific reaction or process to start (e.g., thirst triggers).
10. Refuge (noun) — A safe place that provides protection or shelter from danger or extreme weather.
11. Designated (adjective / past participle) — Officially chosen, marked, or assigned for a specific purpose (e.g., designated cooling centers).
12. Garments (noun) — Items of clothing.
13. Strenuous (adjective) — Requiring a lot of physical effort, strength, or energy. 14. Isolated (adjective) — Far away from others; lacking social contact, support, or connection.
15. Cardiovascular (adjective) — Related to the heart and blood vessels.
16. Insecurity (noun) — A state of lacking safety, stability, or reliable access to basic needs (e.g., housing or food insecurity).
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II. Answer the following questions:
1. Give examples of heat-related illnesses.
__________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the symptoms of heat-related illnesses?
__________________________________________________________________________3. What do you need to do if you have a heat-related illness?
__________________________________________________________________________4. Which tips do you follow to beat the heat?
__________________________________________________________________________5. Give examples of air-conditioned places.
_____________________________________________________________
6. What is “The Shadow Rule”?
_____________________________________________________________
7. Who is at greater risk of heat-related illnesses?
__________________________________________________________________________8. How can you help them?
__________________________________________________________________________9. Give examples of isolated older adults.
__________________________________________________________________________10. You couldn't visit people during COVID time. What was the alternative?
__________________________________________________________________________
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III. Fill in the blanks with the correct word(s) from the box:
Heat – Rash – Headaches – Thirsty – Symptoms – Sweat – Excess – Shade – Fluids - Exercise
1. My son always cries when he is _________________________________________.
2. People who work outdoors _________________________________________ a lot.
3. Teach your children to stay under the _________________ when they feel very hot.
4. Samira always gets very bad _____________________________ during heat waves.
5. The government of Canada issues ______________________ warnings in the summer.
6. If you get heat exhaustion, try to drink lots of _______________________________.
7. People with sensitive skin get a _________________________________ very easily.
8. It’s important to ____________ either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
9. To beat the heat, take off any _______________________ clothing you’re wearing.
10. ____________________ of heatstroke are fainting, vomiting and rapid heartbeat.
Complete the table by converting the vocabulary words into their correct grammatical forms.
Noun | Verb | Adjective |
Prevention | Prevent | 1. __________________ |
Hydration | 2. __________________ | Hydrated |
3. __________________ | Exhaust | Exhausted |
Isolation | Isolate | 4. __________________ |
Exposure | 5. __________________ | Exposed |
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Grammar (Imperatives & Advice Modals)
Grammar Focus: Imperatives vs. Modals of Advice
Imperatives (Direct Commands/Instructions): Used for clear advice or urgent steps.
Example: Drink plenty of water. Do not leave pets in the car.
Modals of Advice (Should / Should not): Used for general recommendations.
Example: You should wear light-colored clothing. You should not exercise at noon.
Urgent Obligation (Must / Must not): Used for critical health and safety rules.
Example: You must call 9-1-1 if someone loses consciousness.
Grammar Exercises
1. Change the imperative sentence into a sentence using "should" or "should not":
Example: Drink water before feeling thirsty.
You should drink water before feeling thirsty.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.
Do not stay under direct sunlight at noon.
Check on elderly neighbors during a heatwave.
Do not drink ice-cold water when overheated.
2. Choose the correct verb form:
If someone stops sweating and becomes confused, you (should / must) call emergency services immediately.
You (should / must not) leave a child unattended in a closed vehicle, even for five minutes.
People (should / need) take cool showers to help lower their body temperature.
You (must / should not) drink alcohol or sugary drinks during an extreme heatwave because they dehydrate you faster.
High-risk individuals (must / should) seek shelter in an air-conditioned building if their home gets too hot.
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Speaking Practice (Group Discussion & Roleplay)
Group Discussion
Work in pairs or small groups and discuss the following questions:
What is the hottest temperature you have ever experienced? How did you feel?
Where are the best air-conditioned public places to go in your community when it is too hot at home (e.g., libraries, malls, community centers)?
How do people stay cool in your home country compared to how people stay cool here?
Writing Task
Write a short paragraph (6–8 sentences) offering advice to a friend or family member who is visiting your city during a severe summer heatwave.
Guidelines for Writing:
Use at least 3 vocabulary words from Part 2.
Use at least 2 sentences with imperatives (e.g., Drink water...) and 2 sentences with modal verbs (e.g., You should wear...).
Focus on tips for outdoor activities, clothing, and hydration.
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