Ielts practice tests academic set tests no 1620 (1)
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Passage 3
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Paragraph D In modern times, the benefits of the sauna are known around the world. Although sauna bathing can cause various acute, transient cardiovascular and hormonal changes, it is well tolerated by most healthy adults and children. Various studies have indicated that long-term sauna bathing may help lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension, provide relief to patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis and also alleviate pain and improve joint mobility in patients with rheumatic disease. The use of extreme cold interspersed with the heat of the sauna has long been a perceived benefit of the sauna. Today, rather than jumping into an ice cold lake after the sauna, people are more likely to use a plunge pool, and this process gently cools and cleanses the skin while closing the skin pores. The mental benefits of this ancient practice are still reported by many users. The warm and quiet environment stimulates circulation and the discharge of endorphins, creating a sense of peaceful relaxation and well-being. The endorphin discharge also aids the relaxation of muscles. As the body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate and circulation increases, which is thought to aid muscle repair. This has the effect of soothing aches and pains acquired from exercise, making use of the sauna perfect for post-sports recovery and the breakdown of lactic acid. The sweating process also helps to detoxify the body. Sweat contains many salts and metals, such as mercury, that are difficult for the body to dispose of. Paragraph E Finns used the sauna for rites of passage. Children were born in the sauna, women went through the purification ritual before marriage, and old people often dragged themselves there to die. Even today, many middle-aged Finns boast of being born in the sauna. Besides its social value, the sauna was the only place that was warm, germ-free and with plenty of water. The sauna’s smoke contained tannic acid that sterilised the surfaces of the sauna. The sauna was also used as an infirmary where blood cupping, blood letting and minor operations were performed by the barber, surgeon or village apothecary. Paragraph F Obviously, the traditional sauna, with its hundreds of kilos of rocks and logs, was not a marketable item. However, as innovations developed, saunas became cheaper to build, run and maintain. The vented, continuous wood-burning stove was manufactured for countryside saunas and, immediately after World War II, gas-heated stoves began heating city saunas. Later, electrical stoves came into use in most parts of Scandinavia, as it was more convenient to heat up the stones with electrical energy. This type of electrical heating is still used in many sauna houses of Scandinavia. Its use also curtailed the use of precious wood from the forest. High standards have helped the modern sauna’s popularity and the success of the sauna industry can be attributed to the Finnish Sauna Society, whose engineers and draftsmen have imposed stern standards on the sauna companies. Government legislation also helps the regulation of the implementation of sauna innovation. Telegram @Link_Library |
