Read the article. Then answer the questions.
The Sun, UV, and You
Each day, millions of people head out to sun-filled schoolyards, playgrounds, parks, and sports fields. Without safety precautions, these activities could put people’s health at risk. Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful. In the atmosphere, the ozone layer forms a shield that protects Earth from the sun’s strong UV radiation. Scientists have found that the ozone layer is thinning. This allows more UV rays to reach Earth. Overexposure to UV rays can cause serious health problems such as skin cancer.
Take Action
Protect yourself and your children from UV rays. Take the precautions listed below to enjoy safe fun in the sun.
- Limit time in the midday sun. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Spend less time in the sun during those hours.
- Pay attention to the UV Index. This is a measurement of the strength of the sun’s UV rays. Take special care to adopt sun safety practices when the UV Index is moderate or higher.
- Put on sunglasses. Sunglasses will greatly reduce eye damage from sun exposure.
- Wear a hat. A hat with a wide brim protects your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck.
- Seek shade. Staying under cover or indoors is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun.
- Protect other areas of your body with clothing. Wearing tightly woven, full-length clothing is a good way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
- Always use sunscreen. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours.
- Avoid sunlamps and tanning salons. The UV light from sunbeds and sunlamps can damage the skin and eyes.
Adapted from the nepis.epa.gov article “Sun Safety for Kids”
QUESTIONS
The author’s main purpose for writing this 151 According to the article, why should you limit
article is the time you spend in the midday sun?
A. to tell readers a story about tanning on A. That is when the sun’s UV rays are the
the beach strongest.
B. to express an opinion on the dangers of B. That is when sunblock does not work as
the sun’s UV radiation well.
C. to tell readers which sunscreen is best C. That is when there is not much shade.
D. to inform readers how to protect D. That is when the ozone layer is thinner.
themselves from harmful UV rays
161 Which of the following is a key detail listed
121 What is the main idea of the first paragraph? in the “Take Action” section?
A. Children and adults often spend time in A. Too much sun exposure is a health risk.
the sun. B. Staying in the shade, under cover, or
B. Many people exposed to the sun’s indoors protects people from the sun.
powerful UV rays are at risk of health C. Overexposure to UV rays can cause skin
problems.
cancer.
C. The ozone layer is a protective shield D. Using a tanning bed is safer than
that protects Earth from the sun.
tanning outdoors.
D. The sun is most powerful from 10:00 in
the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. 171 Which of these is not listed as a way to
protect your body from harmful UV rays?
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Which sentence from the article is a key A. Limit time in the sun. detail that supports the main idea of the
first paragraph? B. Pay attention to the UV Index.
A. “Each day, millions of people across the C. Wear sunglasses.
nation head out to sun-filled schoolyards, D. Pay attention to the weather forecast.
playgrounds, parks, and sports fields.”
B. “In the atmosphere, the ozone layer 181 Why did the author most likely include
forms a shield that protects Earth from information about sunlamps and tanning
the sun’s strong UV radiation.” salons?
C. “Scientists have found that the ozone A. to let the reader know that UV rays do
layer is thinning.” not just come from the sun
D. “Overexposure to UV rays can cause B. to express an opinion that sunlamps and
serious health problems such as skin tanning salons are bad
cancer.”
C. to explain the pros and cons of tanning
_!!] The main purpose of the “Take Action” salons
section is D. to describe how to use a sunlamp
A. to list the kinds of clothes you should properly
wear outside
B. to persuade readers to stop going to
tanning salons
C. to describe the precautions you should
take to be safe in the sun
D. to express an opinion about the use of
sunscreen