Summer in the city can feel much hotter than in the countryside. This is known as the "heat island" effect. Cities are full of concrete buildings and asphalt roads, which absorb heat from the sun during the day. At night, instead of cooling down quickly like soil or grass, these materials release the stored heat slowly. This causes urban areas to ( 1 ) _______ high temperatures even after the sun goes down.

Another factor is the lack of greenery. Trees and plants help cool the air by releasing moisture. However, as cities grow, many parks and forests are replaced by buildings. Without enough plants, there is nothing to lower the temperature naturally. ( 2 ) _______, the widespread use of air conditioners adds to the problem by pumping hot air out into the streets.

To combat this issue, some cities are trying new strategies. They are creating "green roofs" by planting gardens on the tops of buildings. Others are painting roofs white to reflect sunlight. These efforts aim to ( 3 ) _______ the city environment and make summer days more comfortable for residents.

Summer in the city can feel much hotter than in the countryside. This is known as the "heat island" effect. Cities are full of concrete buildings and asphalt roads, which absorb heat from the sun during the day. At night, instead of cooling down quickly like soil or grass, these materials release the stored heat slowly. This causes urban areas to ( 1 ) _______ high temperatures even after the sun goes down.

Another factor is the lack of greenery. Trees and plants help cool the air by releasing moisture. However, as cities grow, many parks and forests are replaced by buildings. Without enough plants, there is nothing to lower the temperature naturally. ( 2 ) _______, the widespread use of air conditioners adds to the problem by pumping hot air out into the streets.

To combat this issue, some cities are trying new strategies. They are creating "green roofs" by planting gardens on the tops of buildings. Others are painting roofs white to reflect sunlight. These efforts aim to ( 3 ) _______ the city environment and make summer days more comfortable for residents.