Texas 6th Grade ELA Question of the Day

On summer afternoons, cities often feel hotter than nearby parks and suburbs. This "urban heat island" happens because concrete and dark roofs absorb sunlight and release it slowly. Fewer trees mean less shade and less evaporative cooling, so air warms more. As a result, temperatures can stay high into the evening, which increases energy use for air conditioning. Higher demand, in turn, strains power grids and can lead to outages. Heat also affects health: when nights don't cool, people who lack AC can become dehydrated or dizzy. Because surfaces heat up sidewalks and bus stops, waiting outdoors becomes risky for seniors and young children. Therefore, small changes can make a difference. Planting street trees and installing light-colored, reflective roofs reduce absorbed heat. Adding small parks and water features cools surrounding blocks, which helps lower overall city temperatures. By showing what causes extra heat and what it leads to, the passage explains why city design choices matter during heat waves.