Introduction

Many cities are getting hotter and hotter. This can cause many problems for the people who live in them. What can we do to make heatwaves more bearable?

This week's question

People in India use 'jaali' to keep their homes cool, but what is it? Is it:

a) a tall house designed to reduce sunlight?

b) a honeycomb pattern used in windows? or,

c) a system for spraying cool water?

Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary

sweat
salty water which the body passes through the skin to stay cool

ventilation
the movement of fresh air around a closed space

power cut
period of time when the supply of electricity is stopped

daily wage earners
someone who earns money on a day-to-day basis meaning that they will receive no money if they do not work

slum
poor and crowded area of a city with very bad living and housing conditions

subsidise
pay part of the cost of something

230824_6_minute_english_heatwaves_can_we_adapt.pdf