Kaufman- April 1, 2020

Your Body’s Thermostat

If you get really hot, your body sweats to cool down. If you’re too cold, your body shivers to warm up. If germs enter your body, you get a fever. Sweating, shivering, and having a fever may seem like bad things, but they are all healthy reactions. They show that your body is working well. And all of those reactions begin in a small part of your brain.

The hypothalamus (HY-po-THAL-uh-mus) is only about the size of an almond, but it does very important work. One of its jobs is to control your body temperature. Your body usually stays at a regular temperature, but that temperature can sometimes change. For example, during a fast game of soccer, your body temperature rises.

The hypothalamus quickly sends signals to your sweat glands. It says, “Get to work!” When the sweat glands create sweat, your body begins to cool down. It soon returns to a normal temperature.

The hypothalamus also works when you are ill. When nasty germs attack your body, it makes white blood cells. These signal the hypothalamus to raise your body’s temperature. You now have a fever. Your skin may look flushed and feel hot to the touch. Your body loses water. The rise in your body’s temperature helps to kill the germs. A fever is also your body’s way of telling you that you’re sick so you can take care of yourself. Your hypothalamus is very hardworking!

What is the main reason the author wrote the passage?

• A. to tell people not to get sick

• B. to explain why people sweat

• C. to explain what the hypothalamus does

• D. to share opinions about the hypothalamus

Your Body’s Thermostat

If you get really hot, your body sweats to cool down. If you’re too cold, your body shivers to warm up. If germs enter your body, you get a fever. Sweating, shivering, and having a fever may seem like bad things, but they are all healthy reactions. They show that your body is working well. And all of those reactions begin in a small part of your brain.

The hypothalamus (HY-po-THAL-uh-mus) is only about the size of an almond, but it does very important work. One of its jobs is to control your body temperature. Your body usually stays at a regular temperature, but that temperature can sometimes change. For example, during a fast game of soccer, your body temperature rises.

The hypothalamus quickly sends signals to your sweat glands. It says, “Get to work!” When the sweat glands create sweat, your body begins to cool down. It soon returns to a normal temperature.

The hypothalamus also works when you are ill. When nasty germs attack your body, it makes white blood cells. These signal the hypothalamus to raise your body’s temperature. You now have a fever. Your skin may look flushed and feel hot to the touch. Your body loses water. The rise in your body’s temperature helps to kill the germs. A fever is also your body’s way of telling you that you’re sick so you can take care of yourself. Your hypothalamus is very hardworking!

What probably happens when the cause of a fever goes away?

• A. the body shivers to get warm

• B. the body returns to a normal temperature

• C. the body temperature rises

• D. the sweat glands work extra hard.

Your Body’s Thermostat

If you get really hot, your body sweats to cool down. If you’re too cold, your body shivers to warm up. If germs enter your body, you get a fever. Sweating, shivering, and having a fever may seem like bad things, but they are all healthy reactions. They show that your body is working well. And all of those reactions begin in a small part of your brain.

The hypothalamus (HY-po-THAL-uh-mus) is only about the size of an almond, but it does very important work. One of its jobs is to control your body temperature. Your body usually stays at a regular temperature, but that temperature can sometimes change. For example, during a fast game of soccer, your body temperature rises.

The hypothalamus quickly sends signals to your sweat glands. It says, “Get to work!” When the sweat glands create sweat, your body begins to cool down. It soon returns to a normal temperature.

The hypothalamus also works when you are ill. When nasty germs attack your body, it makes white blood cells. These signal the hypothalamus to raise your body’s temperature. You now have a fever. Your skin may look flushed and feel hot to the touch. Your body loses water. The rise in your body’s temperature helps to kill the germs. A fever is also your body’s way of telling you that you’re sick so you can take care of yourself. Your hypothalamus is very hardworking!

Based on the passage, what advice would a doctor probably give to a person with fever?

• A. play extra hard

• B. keep your body hot

• C. make fewer white blood cells

• drink a lot of water

Your Body’s Thermostat

If you get really hot, your body sweats to cool down. If you’re too cold, your body shivers to warm up. If germs enter your body, you get a fever. Sweating, shivering, and having a fever may seem like bad things, but they are all healthy reactions. They show that your body is working well. And all of those reactions begin in a small part of your brain.

The hypothalamus (HY-po-THAL-uh-mus) is only about the size of an almond, but it does very important work. One of its jobs is to control your body temperature. Your body usually stays at a regular temperature, but that temperature can sometimes change. For example, during a fast game of soccer, your body temperature rises.

The hypothalamus quickly sends signals to your sweat glands. It says, “Get to work!” When the sweat glands create sweat, your body begins to cool down. It soon returns to a normal temperature.

The hypothalamus also works when you are ill. When nasty germs attack your body, it makes white blood cells. These signal the hypothalamus to raise your body’s temperature. You now have a fever. Your skin may look flushed and feel hot to the touch. Your body loses water. The rise in your body’s temperature helps to kill the germs. A fever is also your body’s way of telling you that you’re sick so you can take care of yourself. Your hypothalamus is very hardworking!

The author uses the last paragraph to _______________.

• A. explain how your body cools down

• B. describe the hypothalamus

• C. tell what to do when you have a fever

• D. tell why people get fevers