How to Cope with Extreme Heat (Low-Intermediate)
Updated: Aug 14
How to Cope with the Hot Weather
Hot weather Alarming for Toronto
Part 1: Reading Comprehension
I. Read the following passage and answer the questions:
Very hot weather can be dangerous for your health. People can get heatstroke, heat rash, or feel their muscles tighten. Don't worry! We can prevent heat illnesses.
If you feel dizzy or faint, are very thirsty, or experience nausea, vomiting, a rapid heartbeat, or a headache, move to a cool place immediately and drink fluids. Cool water is better than ice-cold liquid.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 if you or someone you are with has any of these severe symptoms. While waiting for help, cool the person right away by moving them to a cool or shady area, removing extra clothing, and applying cool water to large areas of their skin or clothing.
II. Vocabulary:
Prevent (Verb): To stop something bad before it starts.
Dizziness (Noun): A lightheaded feeling like you might fall down.
Nausea (Noun): Feeling sick in your stomach, like you want to throw up.
Rapid (Adjective): Very fast or quick.
Heatstroke (Noun): A dangerous illness when your body gets too hot.
Heat rash (Noun): Red, itchy skin spots from sweating in hot weather.
Tighten (Verb): To get very hard or painful (for muscles)
Dizzy (Adjective): Feeling unsafe, weak, or like your head is moving around.
Faint (Verb / Adj): To pass out or fall asleep suddenly because of heat/sickness.
Fluids (Noun): Drinks like water or juice.
Severe (Adjective): Very bad, serious, or dangerous.
Shady (Adjective): Out of the sun / under a tree or building.
III. Look at the clues below and match each one to the correct word from the Word Bank.
Heatstroke - Heat rash - Tighten - Dizzy - Faint - Fluids - Severe - Shady - Prevent -Dizziness - Nausea - Rapid
1. Clue: Protected or blocked from the hot, direct sunlight.
👉 Word: ____________________
2. Clue: To stop an illness or bad event before it happens.
👉 Word: ____________________
3. Clue: A very serious and dangerous body condition caused by overheating.
👉 Word: ____________________
4. Clue: Liquids like water or juice that give your body enough water.
👉 Word: ____________________
5. Clue: Moving or happening very quickly, like a fast heartbeat.
👉 Word: ____________________
6. Clue: Feeling sick to your stomach, like you might throw up.
👉 Word: ____________________
7. Clue: To lose power in your body and fall down suddenly.
👉 Word: ____________________
8. Clue: Extremely harsh, strong, or serious.
👉 Word: ____________________
9. Clue: Red skin irritation caused by sweating in hot weather.
👉 Word: ____________________
10. Clue: When muscles contract or pull closely together.
👉 Word: ____________________
1
Part 2: Tips to Cope with Hot Weather
· Drink plenty of cool water, even before you feel thirsty.
· Go to an air-conditioned place.
· Wear loose, light-colored, clothing. When outdoors,
wear a wide-brimmed hat.
· Avoid direct sunlight by staying in the shade or use an umbrella.
· Exercise during the cooler parts of the day (morning or evening), and use the shadow rule.
· Take cool showers or baths or use cool wet towels to cool down.
· Never leave a child or pet inside a parked car.
· Use sunscreen with SPF 50 or more to protect yourself from skin cancer.
Who can get ill from the hot weather?
Anyone can get sick from the heat, but some people are at higher risk and can fall ill faster:
· Seniors, especially those living alone.
· Infants and young children.
· People with chronic health conditions, such as cancer or asthma.
· People who can't move around easily.
· People who work outdoors in the heat.
· Homeless people.
I. Vocabulary:
Tips (Noun): Small, useful pieces of advice or helpful
information.
Cope with (Verb Phrase): To deal effectively with something difficult or
stressful.
Loose (Adjective): Not tight or fitting closely to the body.
Light-colored (Adjective): Pale or light in shade (like white or beige), which
reflects heat.
Seniors(Noun): Older adults or elderly people.
Asthma (Noun): A chronic lung condition that makes it hard to
breathe.
Plenty (Noun / Pronoun): A large or sufficient amount; more than enough.
Air-conditioned (Adjective): A room or building cooled by a mechanical cooling
system.
Wide-brimmed(Adjective): Having a broad edge around the hat to shade the
face and neck.
Avoid (Verb): To stay away from or keep clear of something.
Chronic (Adjective): Continuing or recurring for a long time (like a long-
term illness).
Infant (Noun): A very young child or baby.
Homeless (Noun / Adj.): Living without a permanent home or shelter.
II. Read each sentence below. Write True (T) if the statement is correct, or False (F) if it is wrong.
1. You should wait until you feel very thirsty before you drink cool water. ____
2. Dark, tight-fitting clothes are best to wear during extremely hot weather. ____
3. Staying in an air-conditioned room helps your body cool down. ____
4. You should wear a wide-brimmed hat to help protect yourself from the sun when outdoors. ____
5. It is best to exercise during the hottest part of the afternoon. ____
6. Taking a cool shower or placing cool, wet towels on your skin can help lower your body temperature. ____
7. It is fine to leave a pet in a parked car for a few minutes if the windows are slightly open. ____
8. Older adults (seniors), especially those living alone, have a higher risk of getting heat illness. ____
9. Young children and infants can cope with extreme heat much better than adults. ____
10. People who work outdoors in the heat need to take extra precautions to stay safe. ____
11. People living with chronic health conditions like asthma are less affected by extreme heat. ____
12. Using an umbrella outdoors can help keep you in the shade and away from direct sunlight. ____
2
Part 3: Tips for Seniors and Children
- Provide plenty of water. Offer them cool water regularly throughout the day.
- Use a fan or air-conditioning to keep your home cool. - Offer water and enough shade when you are outdoors.
- Never leave them unattended in hot weather.
- Heatstroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate emergency care. If untreated can lead to death.
- Act quickly to cool down your family member by moving them to a shaded area, and pouring cool water over their bodies.
Adapted from: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/hot-weather/beat-the-heat/
I. Vocabulary:
Provide (Verb): To give something to someone who needs it.
Unattended (Adjective): Left alone with no one watching or taking care
of them.
Throughout (Preposition): During the whole time or in every part of
something.
Medical condition (Noun Phrase): A health problem or illness that needs a
doctor's care.
Immediate (Adjective): Right now; without waiting.
Serious (Adjective): Bad, severe, or dangerous (not small or minor).
Require (Verb): To need something.
Untreated (Adjective): Not given medicine or medical care.
Pouring (Verb): Flowing liquid out of a container or onto
something.
II. Choose the best word to complete each sentence.
1. You should never leave young children ________ in a hot car.
A) Untreated B) Unattended
C) Immediate D) Serious
2. Call 9-1-1 right away because heatstroke needs ________ medical help.
A) Untreated B) Immediate
C) Throughout D) Pouring
3. If a dangerous heat illness is left ________, it can cause severe harm or death.
A) Untreated B) Unattended
C) Immediate D) Provide
4. You should drink small sips of cool water ________ the day to stay hydrated.
A) Require B) Provide
C) Throughout D) Serious
5. Heatstroke is a very ________ illness that can make people extremely sick.
A) Serious B) Pouring
C) Untreated D) Unattended
6. Elderly adults and young children ________ extra care and attention during hot weather.
A) Immediate B) Pouring
C) Require D) Untreated
7. Heatstroke is a dangerous ________ that needs help from a doctor or paramedic.
A) Throughout B) Unattended
C) Medical condition D) Pouring
3
Part 4: Conversation:
Unscramble each conversation by numbering the lines from 1 to 5 so the conversation makes sense.
Conversation 1: At the Park on a Hot Day
___ Person A: Good idea. Let's find a shady spot under that large tree over there.
___ Person A: Wow, it is extremely hot outside today!
___ Person A: Yes, I brought two large bottles of cool water for us to share.
___ Person B: It really is. We should get out of the direct sun before we get too hot.
___ Person B: Perfect! Do you have enough water to drink, too?
Conversation 2: Feeling Sick from the Heat
___ Person B: Oh no! Move to this cool area and sit down right now.
___ Person A: I'm starting to feel really dizzy and nauseous.
___ Person B: Here, take a slow sip of this cool water.
___ Person A: Thank you. Should I pour some water on my neck too?
___ Person A: Okay, I'm sitting down. My head is spinning.
___ Person B: Yes, putting cool water on your skin will help lower your body temperature.
Conversation 3: Checking on an Older Neighbor
___ Person B: Yes, I do, and I am drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
___ Person A: Hi Mrs. Lee, I'm just calling to check on you during this heatwave.
___ Person A: Do you have your air conditioning turned on in your apartment?
___ Person A: Wonderful! Please call me if you need any groceries or help staying cool.
___ Person B: Oh, hello! That is very kind of you. It is definitely very hot today.
Conversation 4: Planning Outdoor Exercise
___ Person B: I'm not sure. The weather forecast says it will be over 35°C at midday.
___ Person A: Do you want to go for a run in the afternoon around 2:00 PM?
___ Person A: You're right, that's too dangerous. What about early tomorrow morning?
___ Person A: Great, let's meet at 7:00 AM at the park, and don't forget your wide-brimmed hat!
___ Person B: Morning is much better because it's the coolest part of the day.
Conversation 5: Safety Warning About a Parked Car
___ Person A: We need to call emergency services or go find the owner immediately!
___ Person A: Is anyone inside the vehicle watching the pet?
___ Person B: Oh no, that is very dangerous! The temperature inside a car gets high very fast.
___ Person B: No, the dog is completely unattended and the windows are barely open.
___ Person A: Hey, look! Someone left their dog inside that parked car!
4
Part 5: Listening:
Staying Safe in Hot Weather
I. Listen to the following tips to stay safe in hot weather and answer the questions:
1. Give examples of illnesses from hot weather.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the common symptoms of heat illness?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. What do you need to do immediately if you start to feel any of these symptoms? __________________________________________________________________________4. List three tips you can follow to cope with hot weather.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5. Give three examples of air-conditioned places mentioned in the reading.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. If you like to go for a walk every day, when is the best time to go?
__________________________________________________________________________7. What is “The Shadow Rule”?
__________________________________________________________________________8. What can happen if you park your car and leave a pet or child inside for twenty minutes?
__________________________________________________________________________9. Who can get ill from hot weather faster than others, and how can you help them?
__________________________________________________________________________10. What can happen if you don't act quickly to help someone with a severe heat illness like heatstroke?
__________________________________________________________________________
II. Listen to the passage again. Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word box:
prevent - to cope with - fainted - tips - avoid - provide - unattended - nausea - apply - Untreated
1. Drinking a lot of water will help you ____________________ the hot weather.
2. Remember to wear a hat or use an umbrella when you go outside in the summer to ____________________ any heat illness.
3. Mini went for a walk on a hot afternoon and forgot to drink water, so she ____________________ after a while.
4. Don't forget to ____________________ sunscreen before you go swimming or walking outdoors.
5. The weather network shared a few helpful ____________________ on how to stay safe during a heatwave.
6. ____________________ having lunch under direct sun. Enjoy your food in a shaded place instead.
7. Libraries, community centers, and shopping malls ____________________ air-conditioned locations on hot summer days.
8. My son feels dizzy and has ____________________. I think he might have heat exhaustion.
9. Kids may suffer from severe heat illness if you leave them ____________________ in direct sun or in a vehicle.
10. ____________________ heatstroke is a serious emergency that can lead to death.
5
III. Listen to the passage one more time and circle the best answer for each question:
1. What is a dangerous health condition caused by very hot weather?
a. The flu
b. Heatstroke
c. A sore throat
2. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Who should you call immediately?
a. A neighbor
b. 9-1-1
c. A friend
3. What should you always carry with you when going outdoors in the summer?
a. Water
b. A snack
c. Heavy clothing
4. How can you protect yourself from direct sunlight while walking outside?
a. Stay indoors all day
b. Follow the shadow rule and seek shade
c. Drink hot tea
5. Why is it a bad idea to exercise outdoors around noon or lunchtime?
a. It is the hottest part of the day
b. Parks are too crowded
c. You will feel hungry
6. What should you apply to your skin before going out for a summer picnic?
a. Cold lotion
b. Sunscreen
c. Soap
7. How can you help cool down someone who has severe heat illness while waiting for help?
a. Apply cool water to their skin or clothes
b. Give them a hot shower
c. Give them hot tea to drink
8. Why is it dangerous to leave a pet or child inside a parked car, even for twenty minutes?
a. The car might get stolen
b. The temperature inside gets extremely high and can cause death
c. They might make a mess
9. Why are seniors and young children at higher risk during a heatwave?
a. They watch too much TV
b. Their bodies get ill from extreme heat much faster
c. They do not like staying indoors
10. What can happen if a person with heatstroke is left untreated?
a. They will just get a light sunburn
b. They will feel completely fine after an hour
c. It can lead to death
6
Part 6: Grammar Focus:
Modals for Advice & Necessity
When talking about health and hot weather, we use special helper verbs (modals) to tell people what is a good idea versus what is necessary or urgent.
Modal | Use | Meaning | Example from Lesson |
Should | Advice | It is a good idea (not a rule). | You should drink water throughout the day. |
Shouldn't | Negative Advice | It is a bad idea. | You shouldn't exercise in the hot afternoon. |
Need to | Necessity | It is important to do this. | You need to rest in the shade. |
Must / Call 911 | Urgent Necessity | It is a life-or-death rule / emergency. | You must call 911 if someone has heatstroke. |
Grammar Pattern: Subject + Modal + Base Verb
(Example: You must move to a cool place. / She needs to drink water.)
I. Read each scenario. Write one sentence using should, shouldn't, or must / need to to help the person.
1. Scenario: Maria is walking in the park at 1:00 PM on a 35°C day. She feels very hot and sweaty.
Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
2. Scenario: Ahmed is going outside for a walk. He is wearing a dark, tight black sweater. Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
3. Scenario: Your elderly neighbor does not have air conditioning and her apartment is very warm.
Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
4. Scenario: A man at the bus stop starts vomiting, has a rapid heartbeat, and collapses (faints).
Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
5. Scenario: John wants to go grocery shopping. He plans to leave his puppy in the car for 15 minutes.
Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
6. Scenario: Sarah is going to a sunny park for a picnic all afternoon.
Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
7. Scenario: David is working outdoors doing construction in extreme heat. He hasn't drunk any water in 3 hours.
Advice/Necessity: ___________________________________________________
Zero Conditional (Real Facts & Consequences)
We use the Zero Conditional to talk about real facts, automatic results, and medical safety rules that are always true.
Grammar Pattern:
If + Simple Present (Condition), Simple Present / Imperative (Result)
Fact Example: If you leave a dog in a car, the temperature gets dangerous.
Action/Rule Example: If you feel dizzy, drink cool water immediately.
II. Complete each sentence using the verbs in parentheses in the Simple Present tense, or complete the result clause with logical advice:
1. If you (stay) __________ in direct sunlight too long, your body temperature (rise) __________ quickly.
2. If a person (have) __________ severe heatstroke, you (call) __________ 9-1-1 immediately. 3. If your shadow (be) __________ shorter than you, the sun's rays (be) __________ at their strongest.
4. If you (wear) __________ loose, light-colored clothing, it (keep) __________ you cooler.
5. If you (feel) __________ nausea or a rapid heartbeat, ________________________________. (move to shade / rest)
6. If you (not drink) __________ enough water during a heatwave, you (get) __________ dehydrated.
7. If someone (faint) __________ from the heat, (pour) __________ cool water on their body and clothes.
7
Comments