8th GRADE (B LEVEL) WEEKEND HOMEWORK 9th APRIL

VOCABULARY: Click the boxes on the right and choose the definition. architect(noun) a person who designs buildings insulate(verb) to add a material or substance to (something) in order to stop heat, electricity, or sound from going into or out of it plaster(noun) a wet substance that hardens when it becomes dry and that is used to make smooth walls and ceilings self-sufficient(adjective) able to live or function without help or support from others soil(noun) the top layer of earth in which plants grow READING:Would You Live Here? The comforts of home are usually pretty rough on the planet.Every shower or toilet flush uses gallons of water.And heating and air conditioning gobble up electricity.Many of us use far more than our fair share of these natural resources.But hey, a person has to live, right?Still, what if there were adifferentway of living?Imagine a home designed to be comfortable and beautiful but also sustainable.It wouldn't use up Earth's precious natural resources.As it turns out, there are homes like that.Enter the earthship.It was dreamed up in 1971 by U.S.architectMichael Reynolds.Earthships are totallyself-sufficient.These homes are built by mixingsoilwith recycled materials.Think old tires, cans, and bottles.Earthships use solar panels or windmills to make their own electricity.They also make their own water by collecting rainwater.Earthships stay at a comfortable temperature year-round.They don't need central heating or air conditioning.How does that work?One side of the house has a wall of windows.The windows capture the heat and light of the sun.The rest of the home is packed in soil and recycled materials.That keeps the air from getting too hot.Earthships don't just help the planet.They also save owners money.How?There are no electric, heating, or water bills!Think an earthship isn't right for you?There are other Earth-friendly homes to choose from.For example, there are straw bale homes.The walls of these homes are made by piling bales of straw.The bales are then covered withplaster.The strawinsulatesthe home and helps control the temperature inside.So, less energy is needed to heat and cool it.There's another type of home that never gets too hot or cold.And it will let you live like a hobbit!Bermed homes are also called hobbit homes.They have soil covering one or more walls and sometimes the roof.So they blend into the surrounding land.It's also a great way to keep the place cool.Anyone who's ever climbed down into a basement knows the air gets a lot cooler.That's because the soil is natural insulation.But fear not!A bermed house doesn't feel like a creepy basement.Its front wall has lots of glass to let in the sun's light and heat.And since hobbit homes are so sheltered, they're protected from hurricanes and other natural disasters.Not ready to move into one of these homes? You can still do your part to make your own home better for the environment. Try making a flat roof "green" (with plants, not paint). Take shorter showers or turn down the heat a few degrees in the winter. Check online for tons of other ideas! 1. Think about the Article. Which best replaces the question mark in the diagram above? Designed to capture the sun's heat and light Blend into the surrounding land Make water by collecting rainwater Protected from hurricanes and other natural disasters 2. Suppose you were writing a summary of the Article. Which of these would be most important to put in the summary? Hobbit homes, also called bermed homes, stay cooler because of natural insulation provided by the soil. People can make their own homes less harmful to the environment. Straw is used to control the temperature in some homes, so less energy is needed. Hobbit homes, earthships, and straw bale homes are examples of homes that are comfortable and sustainable. 3. Which two words are the closest synonyms? precious and comfortable bermed and shaded sustainable and Earth-friendly sustainable and comfortable 4. According to the Article, what is one reason why earthships can stay a comfortable temperature? Earthships use bales of straw that control the home's temperature, so less energy is needed. Earthships generate their own electricity and water. The walls and roof are constructed with soil coverings, so they blend into the landscape. The house is packed in a mound of soil and recycled materials. 5. This Article would help a student write a paper on _. sustainable roof materials homes that are made using straw ways people can help protect the planet sustainable ways to live like a hobbit 6. Which question is not answered by the Article? How do sustainable homes avoid using air conditioners? Who came up with the idea to create earthships? What materials are used to build hobbit homes? How many windows do straw bale homes have?