Just as people today have smart tips for staying cool, ancient civilizationsalso had their own methods to beat the heat. Ancient Romans, for example, came up with numerous ingenious ways to cool off.
Clever city planning and architecturewere used to deal with the high temperatures in ancient Rome. Fountains and parks were thoughtfullyplaced throughout the city to offer people relief. Furthermore, buildings were constructed with thick stone walls that did an excellent job of stabilizing internal temperatures. Narrow streets, lined withtall walls, also created plenty of shade for pedestrians.
The ancient Roman upper class had more optionsat their disposal when it came to summer temperatures. Their villas included large central courtyards that helped dissipate heat. Some villas even included underground chambersfor storing snow and ice collected during the winter. This not only helped cool down buildings but also provided ice for refreshingdrinks all year long. When the summer temperatures became trulyunbearable, ancient Romans retreatedto the coast. Building seaside villas became the ultimate status symbol for Roman elites. These coastal homes were expertly designed to limit direct sunlight. With a careful orientation that followed the Sun’s path, they offered interiorsthat were cool and well-lit while also taking advantage of the gentle sea breezes and natural airflow.
Even after 2,000 years, people still employ some of the same methods ancient Romans used to survive the summer heat. Nothing beats enjoying a soft breeze near the coast with a cool drink in hand.
1. The following are descriptions of different body parts. Where is the most effective location to apply a cold cloth for body cooling?
(A) Tonsils: The soft tissues at the back of the throat that help fight infection.
(B) Nostrils: The two openings in the nose through which air enters and exits.
(C) The radial artery: Located on the inside of the forearm, it lies just beneath the surface of the skin.
(D) The mandibular joint: This joint, where the lower jawbone meets the skull, enables movement for talking and chewing.
2. How can a person’s diet affect them during the summer?
(A) Eating ice cream can cool the body’s core temperature.
(B) Eating dishes rich in protein can raise the body temperature.
(C) Eating fruit can tax our body’s cooling system.
(D) Eating raw vegetables can help digestion and warm the body.
3. In what way was ancient Rome designed to help people during the summer?
(A) High walls were used to block warm winds.
(B) Fountains were placed around the city for cooling.
(C) Dark stones were used to build streets to absorb sunlight.
(D) Walls were built with thin stone layers to improve airflow
4. What did wealthy Romans do to keep themselves cool?
(A) Stored snow in underground spaces.
(B) Traveled to deserts.
(C) Constructed villas in the middle of the city.
(D) Made use of the Sun to provide power for cooling devices.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
disposal
[dɪˋspoz!]
n. 處理，處置；配置；布置；排列
=
removal
The disposalof waste is a serious issue to consider when dealing with pollution.
在處理汙染時，廢物處理是一項要考慮的重要議題。
It will be a lot more convenient for you to get around the city if you have a car at your disposal.
如果你隨時有車可以開的話，在城市裡四處逛逛就會方便得多了。
高中 Level 6
●
civilization
[͵sɪv!əˋzeʃən]
n. 文明（不可數）
These books are about the history of Western civilization.
這些書談的是西方文明史。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
architecture
[ˋɑrkə͵tɛktʃɚ]
n. 建築（風格）；建築學（不可數）
Baroque architecture is characterized by grandeur and magnificence.
巴洛克式建築的特色就是雄偉壯麗。
The teacher told Benny that because of his good drawing skills and love of design, he should study architecture.
老師告訴班尼，由於他良好的繪畫技巧及對設計的熱愛，他應該研讀建築學。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
thoughtfully
[ˋθɔtfəlɪ]
adv. 經過精心安排／深思熟慮
The kitchen was thoughtfully designed with ample storage space and easy accessibility.
那間廚房經過精心設計，收納空間充足且出入方便。
●
stabilize
[ˋsteb!͵aɪz]
vt. & vi. （使）穩固
Many people will join a big demonstration this
weekend in protest against the government’s failure to stabilize housing prices.
本週末將會有許多人參加大規模示威活動，以抗議政府未能穩定房價。
John suffered a heart attack three days ago, but his condition has stabilized now.
約翰三天前心臟病突發，但現在情況已穩定了。
John suffered a heart attack three days ago, but he is now in stable condition.
約翰三天前心臟病突發，但現在情況已穩定了。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
pedestrian
[pəˋdɛstrɪən]
n. 行人
a. 行人的 ; 單調乏味的
Drivers should yield to pedestrians when they come to a crosswalk.
行駛至行人穿越道時，駕駛應禮讓行人先行。
Barriers were installed on the street to separate the pedestrian walkways from vehicular traffic.
路障被安置在街上以區分行人走道和車輛交通。
The pop star s new album was hailed as revolutionary, but John found it quite pedestrian.
這個明星的新專輯被譽為革新之作，但約翰覺得它很索然無味。
高中 Level 5
●
chamber
[ˋtʃembɚ]
n. 房間；會議廳
The princess retired to her chamber after the ball.
舞會完畢後，公主回到她的房間。
Mr. Evans left the council chamber shortly after the meeting started.
伊凡斯先生在會議開始後沒多久就離開會議廳了。
高中 Level 4
●
refreshing
[rɪˋfrɛʃɪŋ]
a. 清新的
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
unbearable
[ʌnˋbɛrəb!]
a. 無法忍受的
●
retreat
[rɪˋtrit]
n. & vi. 撤退
=
withdrawn
=
move back
The troops retreated when they knew they couldn’t win the battle.
當部隊發覺打不贏戰爭後，便下令撤退。
The general announced that the enemy forces were in retreat.
將軍宣告敵軍撤退中。
高中 Level 4
●
ultimate
[ˋʌltəmɪt]
a. 最終的
n. 終極，極點
=
final
The ultimate decision regarding whom to hire will be made by the boss.
僱用的人選將由老闆做最後決定。
The movie star’s home is the ultimate in luxury.
這名影星的住宅豪華到了極點。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
orientation
[͵orɪɛnˋteʃən]
n. 走向，目標；新生 / 新員工的訓練
=
aim
William was disappointed to find the non-profit organization has a commercial orientation.
威廉發現這間非營利組織是有商業導向時感到很失望。
The orientation ceremony will be held a week
before school officially starts. 新生訓練將於正式開學前一個星期舉行。
高中 Level 4
●
interior
[ɪnˋtɪrɪɚ]
adj. 內部的
n. 內部
=
inside
=
internal
The interior walls of the building were painted white.
這棟建築物的內牆被漆成白色的。
The car’s interior is very comfortable. It’s equipped with leather seats.
這輛車的內部很舒適。它配有皮製座椅。
高中 Level 5
Extra Words
●
ingenious
[ɪnˋdʒinjəs]
a. 聰明的，巧妙的
英檢中高
●
villa
[ˋvɪlə]
n. . 別墅
Whoever owns that villa must be stinking rich.
那棟別墅的主人一定超有錢的。
高中 Level 6
●
dissipate
[ˋdɪsə͵pet]
vt. 使消散
英檢中高
●
elite
[ ɪ`lɪt ]
n. （一群）菁英分子（可數）
The social elite are willing to join us in raising funds
for orphans. 社會菁英分子願意加入我們為孤兒籌募基金的行列。
A small elite group of people can travel by private jet
whenever they please.
少數菁英族群可隨時搭乘私人噴射機旅行。
高中 Level 6
●
airflow
[ˋɛr͵flo]
n. 氣流
●
tax
[tæks]
vt. 向……課稅
n. 稅金
Many people think that the import tax on foreign goods is unreasonably high.
很多人認為舶來品的進口稅高到不合理。
All the goods should be taxed before they’re sold.
所有的貨品皆須課稅後才能出售。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
courtyard
庭院，中庭，天井
= backyard
My grandmother loves to sit on the bench beneath
the tree in the courtyard.
我祖母喜歡坐在中庭大樹下面的長椅上。
Practical Phrases
●
be lined with
（兩旁）排列著⋯⋯
The bridge was lined with flags in preparation for the festival.
那座橋上兩旁插滿旗幟，準備迎接該節慶。
●
at one’s disposal
供某人使用／支配
The company car is at your disposal for any business trips.
公司車可供你出差使用。
●
take advantage of
占某人的便宜
All students are invited to take advantage of our student discounts.
竭誠歡迎所有學生多加利用我們的學生折扣優待。
Joseph lives by the principle that one should never take advantage of others.
喬瑟夫處世的原則就是永遠不占他人的便宜。
