Module E Practice

The Power of Wind LINES 1-3The fastest growing source of energy in the world today isn't oil, coal, or some hi-tech invention. Instead, it's the wind — the same force that has served people for thousands of years. Wind seems to be the perfect solution to our energy problems: it’s non-polluting, it’s all around us, and there's no way we can use it all up.LINES 4-6In the last few years, more and more countries have become interested in using wind to produce energy. One such country is Britain, which is developing a huge "wind farm" near its west coast. When completed, the giant wind turbines are expected to produce enough electricity for five million homes.LINES 7-9Wind power is not likely to replace traditional fuels in the near future. However, it could provide much of a country's energy needs, and at much lower cost. According to the US Energy Department, the wind farms now being constructed in the USA will eventually supply almost half the country's electricity.LINES 10-15Unfortunately, the huge turbines are not exactly beautiful; they are also noisy and often break down. Moreover, birds tend to collide with them. This has happened so frequently that even some environmental groups that used to demand the development of wind energy now oppose it. But the biggest drawback is the simple fact that the wind doesn't blow whenever and wherever you want it. You just can't count on it always being there when you need it most — like on hot summer days, when electricity consumption is especially high.LINES 16-18All these problems will have to be solved before we can expect the wind to become our main source of energy. But apparently the people of Holland, who are famous for their windmills, are right: the wind can be an excellent source of energy if you know how to use its potential.(Adapted from "Wind is Fastest Growing Energy Resource," ABC News, June 14, 2005) 1. CHOOSE TWO CORRECT ANSWERS. What aspects of wind as a source of energy are mentioned in lines 1-6? Its cost. Some ways of studying it. How long it has been used. Where it was first developed. When it cannot be used. Its popularity today. 2. Give TWO advantages of wind energy. Take each answer from a different paragraph. ADVANTAGE 1: It’s non-polluting. is no way we can use it all up. / it’s all around us.ADVANTAGE 2: It could provide much of a country’s energy needs. / It has a much lower cost. doesn’t cost much. is cheaper. 3. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE ACCORDING TO LINES 4-9. Britain and the USA are given as examples of countries in which wind farms are being constructed / developed. / countries which are developing. wind farms./ countries which are interested. / have become interested in using wind to produce energy. 4. What is the subject of the fourth paragraph (lines 10-15)? ANSWER: The problems/ disadvantages / drawbacks of wind energy. 5. According to lines 10-12, what has caused some environmental groups to change their mind about wind power? ANSWER: (The fact that) birds tend to collide with the huge turbines. 6. What is the author's conclusion regarding wind as a source of energy? It is too early to tell if it has potential. Despite the problems, it is very promising. There are better sources of energy It is impossible to solve all the problems. "BLOGS" AND THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE THEM 7. What does Jenny say about the word "blog"? Most people have never heard of it It is hard to explain exactly what it means. You can only find it in technical dictionaries. It was invented by computer experts. 8. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE. According to Jenny, how is a blog different from a traditional diary? Give ONE difference. ANSWER: A blog is social. / not private. / is meant to be read by other people. / is aimed at the general public. 9. What information does Jenny give about bloggers? What they use their blogs for Which blogs they like best. What computer skills they must have. Why there aren't many of them. 10. According to Jenny, older bloggers are different from younger ones in (—). the amount of time they spend on their blogs the appearance of their blogs the speed with which they get responses the subjects they write about 11. According to Jenny, who or what can help you start a blog? Give ONE answer. ANSWER: special internet sites. / a company. / companies. / experts. 12. What does Jenny expect to happen in the future? People will grow tired of blogs. Most people will have more than one blog. Everyone will have a blog. A new technology will replace blogs.