05 07 natural sciences u4a

Module

4A

Film Fest

Activities
1Match the pictures with the paragraphs.

d

b
a

Alternative Forms of Energy
1 We can use solar energy to warm and light our

homes, heat our water and provide electricity for
our cookers, refrigerators and other appliances.
It is unlimited and it does not cause air or water
pollution. The problem with solar energy is that
it is only a viable option in places where the sun
shines.

2 The wind moves the blades of wind turbines in
wind farms or wind plants. These are connected
to the power grid and provide electricity for
many people. They need to be located in areas
where the wind blows at a constant speed but
this does not occur everywhere in the world.
3 Hydroelectric power plants use the water in

rivers, dams, reservoirs and streams to run

c
turbines which generate electricity. Hydropower
is inexpensive and does not produce air
pollution but dams can disrupt the ecology of
the region. For example, the water temperature
and level may change, killing fish and affecting
plants that grow along the riverbanks.

4 We can also get energy from biomass, the

scientific word for rubbish. It includes wood,
plant residues, animal and municipal waste.
It can be used to provide heat, make fuel and
generate electricity. It is abundant and cheap
but it requires effective management. Otherwise,
we might consume it faster than we produce
it. Also, like any fuel, biomass can create air
pollution when it is burned or converted into
energy.

2These sentences intend to summarise the previous text.
Correct them if you consider they are wrong.
aSolar energy produces electricity for all types of devices; on a
cloudy day the electric machines in a house would stop working.

bTurbines transform the wind into power, they can be installed anywhere.

English Toolkit 1 - Natural Sciences

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

Sun, Wind and Water


Module

4A
cHydroelectric plants kill fish because they get electric shocks.

dRubbish can become electricity through a very clean process.

3Fill in the chart with information from the text. Discuss it orally.
Advantages

Disadvantages

4Prepare a report about one of the following topics.
aExplain the difference between renewable and
non-renewable energy.
bClassify the sources of energy in the previous text.
cWhat advantages and disadvantages do fossil fuels
have compared to renewable energy?
dList electric appliances used at home, at school
and at work. What are they used for? Which ones
do you consider essential? Why?

5Make a class presentation on one of these
topics: solar power systems, wind energy

and hydroelectric power plants.
aCarry out a street survey on how to save
energy. Draw your own conclusions.
bDo people save or waste energy? List ways
of wasting energy.

6What are the advantages of living in a solar house? Otherwise, how
can you save energy in a conventional house? Write a paragraph.

English Toolkit 1 - Natural Sciences

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

Source of energy