Spring Allergies Are Getting Worse

Level 3 Lesson by: Aron Thode Source: healthline.com

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

A person in a spring park wipes their nose with a tissue, looking tired and uncomfortable from seasonal allergies, with blooming trees and soft sunlight in the background.
Spring brings allergies.

If your spring allergies feel worse than before, you are not alone. According to allergy experts in the United States, climate change is making pollen seasons longer and more intense. This means more people are suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose every spring.

As temperatures rise, plants start releasing pollen earlier in the year and continue longer into the fall. Some parts of the country now have pollen in the air almost all year round. The result is that allergy symptoms are starting sooner and lasting longer for millions of people.

However, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your symptoms. Try to check the pollen count in your area and stay indoors when levels are high. Keep your windows closed at home and in your car, and use an air filter if you have one. When you come inside, remove your shoes and change your clothes so you do not bring pollen in with you.

Over-the-counter medicine can also help. Some doctors even suggest taking medicine two weeks before your symptoms start. That way, it is already working when the pollen arrives. If your symptoms are very bad, a doctor can recommend stronger treatment options.

Vocab List

  • allergy (n.) — A reaction your body has to something like pollen, causing sneezing or itchy eyes.
  • pollen (n.) — A fine powder made by plants that travels through the air and can cause allergies.
  • intense (adj.) — Very strong or serious.
  • symptom (n.) — A sign that shows you are sick, like sneezing or a runny nose.
  • over-the-counter (adj.) — Medicine you can buy at a shop without a prescription from a doctor.
  • sneeze (v.) — To suddenly push air out of your nose and mouth, often because of pollen or illness.
  • itchy (adj.) — Describing a feeling that makes you want to scratch, often in the eyes or skin.
  • runny (adj.) — Wet and dripping; a runny nose produces a liquid because of an allergy or cold.
  • filter (n.) — A device that removes unwanted things, like dust or pollen, from the air.

Speaker: American Female  Duration: 1:18

YouTube link

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

If your spring allergies feel worse than before, you are not (1) __________. According to allergy experts in the United States, climate change is making pollen seasons longer and more (2) __________. This means more people are suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose every spring. As temperatures rise, plants start releasing pollen earlier in the year and continue longer into the (3) __________. Some parts of the country now have pollen in the air almost all year round. The result is that allergy symptoms are starting sooner and lasting longer for millions of people. However, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your symptoms. Try to check the pollen count in your area and stay indoors when levels are high. Keep your windows closed at home and in your car, and use an air (4) __________ if you have one. When you come inside, remove your shoes and change your clothes so you do not bring pollen in with you. Over-the-counter medicine can also help. Some doctors even suggest taking medicine two weeks before your (5) __________ start. That way, it is already working when the pollen arrives. If your symptoms are very bad, a doctor can recommend stronger (6) __________ options.
Main Idea

Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.

Main Idea

  • Climate change is causing longer pollen seasons, which is making life harder for allergy sufferers.
  • Spring allergies are getting worse, but there are ways to reduce your symptoms.
  • Taking medicine early and staying indoors are the best ways to deal with spring allergies.
True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • According to allergy experts, climate change is making pollen seasons longer.
    The article says "allergy experts in the United States" confirm that climate change is making pollen seasons longer and more intense.
  • Some parts of the United States now have pollen in the air for the whole year.
    The article says some parts of the country now have pollen "almost all year round."
  • The article says you should open your windows to reduce pollen inside your home.
    The article says to keep your windows closed at home and in your car, not open.
  • Stronger treatment options are available only if you take medicine two weeks early.
    The article says a doctor can recommend stronger treatment options if your symptoms are very bad, not only if you take medicine early.

True or False

1. According to allergy experts, climate change is making pollen seasons longer. T / F

2. Some parts of the United States now have pollen in the air for the whole year. T / F

3. The article says you should open your windows to reduce pollen inside your home. T / F

4. Stronger treatment options are available only if you take medicine two weeks early. T / F

Multiple Choice

1. Why are pollen seasons getting longer?

   A) Because plants are producing more flowers each year.

   B) Because warmer temperatures cause plants to release pollen earlier and continue longer.

   C) Because people are spending more time outdoors.

   D) Because new plants are arriving from other countries.

2. What does the article suggest you do when pollen levels are high?

   A) Take a shower and drink extra water.

   B) Visit your doctor right away.

   C) Stay indoors and keep your windows closed.

   D) Exercise outside in the morning only.

3. Why does the article suggest taking medicine before your symptoms start?

   A) So you can stop taking it once the pollen arrives.

   B) So it is already working when the pollen arrives.

   C) So you can share it with other people in your family.

   D) So you do not need to see a doctor later.

4. What should you do when you come inside from outdoors?

   A) Wash your face and open the windows.

   B) Turn on the air filter and take medicine.

   C) Check the pollen count for the next day.

   D) Remove your shoes and change your clothes.

Words That Go Together

Loading vocabulary activity...

Words That Go Together

Match each word with the words it goes with:

1. Suffer from

2. Take

3. Release

4. Stay

5. Remove

6. Recommend

a) treatment

b) your shoes

c) indoors

d) pollen

e) medicine

f) itchy eyes

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. I usually keep my windows closed in spring ________ the pollen count is too high outside.

    so / because / but / and

  2. The pollen season is getting longer every year, ________ more people are having allergy symptoms.

    because / but / so / and

  3. ________ the most useful tip from the article is to start taking medicine before your symptoms begin.

    To me, / But, / Also, / So,

Sentence Unscramble

  1. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. in my country, B. the pollen C. I think D. but E. spring is really beautiful F. can be a big problem.

  2. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. I usually B. more sleep. C. try to get D. When I start to feel sick, E. and F. take some medicine

  3. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

    A. I have never B. before going outside, C. I always check D. about pollen levels. E. but F. the weather G. really thought

Discussion Questions

  1. What are spring allergies? Have you experienced them?
  2. Have you noticed the effects of climate change? How is your environment different?
  3. How does the environment in your country change between seasons?
  4. What practical steps from the article are easiest to follow?
  5. Do you usually check the weather before going outside? What about other conditions like air quality?
  6. Do you pay attention to air quality where you live? Is it something people talk about in your country?
  7. Do you like being indoors or outdoors better? Why?
  8. What habits help you stay healthy during seasonal changes?
  9. What do you do when you feel sick? Do you see a doctor or take some over-the-counter medicine?

Answers

Think Ahead: c

Listening: (1) alone, (2) intense, (3) fall, (4) filter, (5) symptoms, (6) treatment

Main Idea: Spring allergies are getting worse, but there are ways to reduce your symptoms.

True or False:

  1. True. The article says "allergy experts in the United States" confirm that climate change is making pollen seasons longer and more intense.
  2. True. The article says some parts of the country now have pollen "almost all year round."
  3. False. The article says to keep your windows closed at home and in your car, not open.
  4. False. The article says a doctor can recommend stronger treatment options if your symptoms are very bad, not only if you take medicine early.

Multiple Choice: B, C, B, D

Vocabulary:

  1. Suffer from: itchy eyes
  2. Take: medicine
  3. Release: pollen
  1. Stay: indoors
  2. Remove: your shoes
  3. Recommend: treatment

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Giving a reason. 2) Expressing a result. 3) Giving an opinion.

  1. because
  2. so
  3. To me,

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. I think spring is really beautiful in my country, but the pollen can be a big problem.
  2. When I start to feel sick, I usually take some medicine and try to get more sleep.
  3. I always check the weather before going outside, but I have never really thought about pollen levels.

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