Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
Just as people today have smart tips for staying cool, ancient civilizations also had their own methods to beat the heat. Ancient Romans, for example, came up with numerous ingenious ways to cool off.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Clever city planning and architecture were used to deal with the high temperatures in ancient Rome. Fountains and parks were thoughtfully placed 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 with tall walls, also created plenty of shade for pedestrians.
The ancient Roman upper class had more options at their disposal when it came to summer temperatures. Their villas included large central courtyards that helped dissipate heat. Some villas even included underground chambers for storing snow and ice collected during the winter. This not only helped cool down buildings but also provided ice for refreshing drinks all year long. When the summer temperatures became truly unbearable, ancient Romans retreated to 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 interiors that 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.
正如現今的人們有保持涼爽的聰明祕訣一樣，古文明也有自己的抗熱方法。例如，古羅馬人想出了許多高明的降溫方法。
古羅馬利用巧妙的城市規畫和建築設計來應對高溫。噴泉和公園被精心布置在整座城市中，為人們緩解熱感。此外，建築物採用厚石牆來建造，這在穩定內部溫度方面表現出色。兩旁布滿高牆的狹窄街道也為行人提供大量遮蔭處。
古羅馬的上層階級在夏季氣溫方面有更多選擇可供使用。他們的別墅設置了有助於消暑的大型中央庭院。有些別墅甚至設有地下室，用於存放冬季集來的雪與冰。這不僅有助於建築物降溫，還可以全年為涼飲提供冰塊。當夏季氣溫真正變得難以忍受時，古羅馬人會撤至海岸。建造海濱別墅成為羅馬權貴的終極地位象徵。這些海濱房屋經過精心設計，可以限制直射的陽光。這些房屋的朝向安排是按照太陽的路徑而精心設計的，提供了涼爽且光線充足的室內空間，同時也善用了海邊的徐徐微風和自然氣流。
即使在兩千年後，人們仍然採用一些與古羅馬人相同的方法來度過夏季的炎熱。沒有什麼比手握一杯涼飲、在海岸附近享受輕柔微風更美妙的了。
What Did You Learn?
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.
答案：1. C 2. B 3. B 4. A
Words in use
1. civilization n. 文明，文化
The ancient Egyptian civilization is famous for its pyramids and mummies.
埃及古文明以金字塔和木乃伊而聞名。
2. architecture n. 建築設計∕風格
Roman architecture features arches and domes.
羅馬式建築的特色是拱門和圓頂。
3. thoughtfully 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。
4. stabilize vt. 使穩定
The government took steps to stabilize prices as the market changed quickly.
當市場迅速變化時，政府採取了行動來穩定價格。
5. pedestrian n. 行人
The sidewalk was crowded with pedestrians during the busy holiday.
中文??
Practical Phrases
1. be lined with... （兩旁）排列著……
The street is lined with cherry trees.
那條街道的兩旁有一排排櫻花樹。
2. at one’s disposal 供某人使用∕支配
disposal n. 處理，處置
The company car is at your disposal for any business trips.
公司車可供你出差使用。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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