PASSAGE 1: Sensational Sunlight
By Dawson Novo
Consider how sunlight, or the lack thereof, affects people, plants, and animals. Plants, animals, and humans all benefit from sunlight and its miraculous qualities.
Here Comes the Sun
There are many benefits to sunlight. In fact, the benefits may even outweigh the dangers of sun exposure. The University of Edinburgh researched exposure to sunlight in the UK. They found that sunlight might help reduce blood pressure. The research, found on the website id.ac.uk, was discussed in Edinburgh University’s publication “Sunshine Could Benefit Health.” The research discovered that sunlight could reduce heart attacks and strokes. This research is based on science and the body. There is a compound that releases in blood vessels when people are exposed to sunlight. This compound lowers blood pressure. Additionally, nitric oxide increases after sun exposure. This lowers the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Moderate sun exposure also ensures that people get enough vitamin D. On the health.harvard.edu website, the publication from Harvard Medical School, “Benefits of Moderate Sun Exposure,” discusses the benefits of moderate sun exposure. This research mentions a link between low vitamin D levels and some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
After two weeks of dreary, cloudy days without a lot of sun, people start to feel gloomy. This can be linked to the deficiency of vitamin D. This lack of sun is often related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Several studies have found that sunlight changes moods due to the exposure of vitamin D. If people do not spend enough time being exposed to the sun, they may become depressed. SAD often occurs in the winter months when the sun is frequently covered by clouds. The largest cases of SAD are reported in areas that do not have a lot of sunlight during certain times of the year, like the UK, for example. The more sunlight that people receive, the better they feel.
Plants use the sun in a process called photosynthesis. In this process, plants absorb the sunlight and turn it into energy that helps the plant grow. Even more, animals benefit from the sun’s rays. Cold-blooded reptiles use the sun’s warmth to maintain body temperature. People can see this when a little lizard is basking in the sun on a warm day. The sunlight also helps create a relationship between plants and animals. Plants use the sunlight to grow, and animals use the plants as a food source.
PASSAGE 2: Sun Exposure
By Matt Hardy
Sunlight provides vitamin D, and it has been shown to even lessen depression. However, there are several dangers to too much sun exposure. Sun exposure should be done in moderation, and people should educate themselves on the dangers of too much sunlight.
The most obvious damage to skin from overexposure to sunlight is a sunburn—it causes red, sore skin that may bubble up and flake off over several days. Yet, there are several other issues that can occur. Sometimes, too much sun can give someone a rash or blisters. This can ruin a vacation and make it difficult to sleep. Over time, too much sun exposure can increase the number of spots on the skin. It can also create areas of the skin that are discolored.
The worst result of too much sun exposure is the risk of developing cancer. This risk comes from UVA (ultraviolet A rays) and UVB (ultraviolet B rays)—both types can cause skin damage and cancer. The UVA rays, however, penetrate deeper into the skin than the UVB rays. If someone spends an entire life being exposed to too much sun, the possibility of developing cancer increases.
Be careful!
Although some sunlight provides vitamin D for the body, too much can cause additional problems for the body. Eyes can be damaged by the sun if proper care is not taken. Cataracts is another disease that can be caused by too much sunlight—this disease clouds up the eye and makes it difficult to see.
The heat from sun can create many issues for the body. People who are spending the day in the sun may become fatigued (tired); they might also pass out from dehydration if they do not get enough water to drink. Even worse, someone can become overheated and suffer from heat stroke. In this case, the body temperature reaches dangerous temperatures. This can even be fatal.
Prevention
There are many ways to enjoy the sunlight and be safe at the same time. The American Cancer Society recommends several strategies for safe sun exposure. Their phrase, “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” can help people to remember how to avoid too much sun exposure. They suggest that people should “Slip on a shirt. Slop on sunscreen. Slap on a hat. Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around them.” These small steps allow people to enjoy the sun and be safe at the same time.
The American Cancer Society also suggests that one way of avoiding the sunlight is to find some shade. The direct sunlight is not good for the skin after so long, and the shade will keep the sun off during the strongest sunlight hours: between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. They also recommend avoiding tanning beds since they also produce UVA and UVB rays.
What is ONE common central idea in BOTH passages? Use at least ONE detail from EACH text to support your answer. Write your answer in the space provided. Remember to clearly reference the texts.