Inside Reading Mid-Term Test

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©Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use. 
Inside Reading Mid-Term Test 
Name: _____________________________________ 
Date: _________________________ 
Keeping Cool
It appears that the world is in the middle of a big change. More and more people are leaving the 
countryside to live and work in the city. This shift is changing the way people live. Note, for 
instance, that many growing cities are located in very hot environments. As a result, people 
living in these locations want air conditioning. Studies show that people working in cool 
environments actually work better. Cool air affects their behavior. Consequently, businesses 
want air conditioning for their workers. In addition, studies also show that people feel better in 
cooler environments; their actual health is better. Therefore, many people want air conditioning 
in their homes.
However, adding air conditioning is not without effect. It takes a lot of energy to run air 
conditioners. In fact, some researchers link the loss of power that different parts of the world 
have experienced recently with the increase in air conditioning. Sales of air conditioners are 
growing in many developing parts of the world. And it’s not just the energy use that is a 
problem. The air conditioners themselves can harm the environment because of the chemicals 
they use. This situation has many worried about the future. The question is how to keep cool and 
balance energy use in a growing world. As a consequence, architects are trying to design 
buildings with materials that absorb, or take in, less heat. In some places, building managers are 
asking workers to wear light clothing. They are also saving energy by turning off lights in the 
buildings. Some businesses are using air conditioning but are cooling offices to warmer 
temperatures so not as much energy is used. Designing an air conditioner that uses less energy 
and safe materials would be a real solution. So far, it hasn’t been done.