2023年7月27日「モバイル英語学習」第792号 ( 英語のエッセイ): Beating the Heat: Traditional Cooling Methods Before Air Conditioning

Notes
fountain 噴水池,泉;
splash (…で)水をはねる;
wrap (…に)包む、くるむ;
ceiling 天井;
porche 玄関、ポーチ;
vine ブドウ、つる植物;

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Throughout history, before air conditioning was invented, people found creative ways to stay cool in hot weather. One way was by living in caves or underground houses, which were cooler than places on the surface. People also used water fountains, ice blocks, or wet cloths to reduce their body heat. They would drink cool water, splash themselves, or wrap themselves in damp cloths. During winter, they stored ice to use in summer for cooling drinks or rooms.

Buildings were designed with high ceilings, porches, and windows to let air flow and reduce heat. Trees or vines were planted for shade and to keep houses cool. During the hottest parts of the day, people rested in the shade or waited until night to do activities, enjoying the cooler night air. These methods show how people in the past adapted to hot climates.
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2023年7月20日「モバイル英語学習」第791号 ( 英語のエッセイ): It’s Hot Everywhere!

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It is not yet August, but the temperatures in Japan this year are already so high that many prefectures have hot weather warnings. The highest temperature recorded in Japan has been about 40 degrees centigrade. That’s hot, but there are places that are even hotter. Temperatures have gotten up to 44 degrees in Turkey and to 52 degrees in western China. The highest temperature so far has been in Death Valley, California, U.S.A. It went up to 54 degrees! Some tourists go there to get their pictures taken in the hottest place in the world, but the park is telling them to stay away. It’s dangerous. They don’t want anyone to die there. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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