When you (1) _______ a map of temperatures in a city, the hottest part is usually downtown. This is because of heat islands. A heat island is an area with higher temperatures than the surrounding areas. They are caused by buildings, roads, and other human-made structures (2) _______ the sun's heat more than natural landscapes like forests or grassy fields. In the day, the sun shines on the city, (3) _______ all the concrete and asphalt (which is a type of black rock). At night, these surfaces ...

When you (1) _______ a map of temperatures in a city, the hottest part is usually downtown. This is because of heat islands. A heat island is an area with higher temperatures than the surrounding areas. They are caused by buildings, roads, and other human-made structures (2) _______ the sun's heat more than natural landscapes like forests or grassy fields. In the day, the sun shines on the city, (3) _______ all the concrete and asphalt (which is a type of black rock). At night, these surfaces cool down, but they release the stored heat back into the air. Since there are so many buildings and roads in cities, the heat is trapped and cannot escape.

The result is a pocket (4) _______ This can make cities (5) _______ nearby rural areas. In fact, on some summer nights, the temperature in a city can be 12°C warmer than in the countryside.

Heat islands can have serious effects on people's health, especially during heat waves. They can also increase energy consumption and air pollution. However, there are ways to reduce their impact, such as (6) _______ using light-coloured materials for roads and roofs, and creating green spaces.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 54 to 59.