Part 1 – Reading Comprehension (20 Marks – 1 Mark for Each)
Section 1 – Read the following text then answer the questions below.
Fossil fuel energy sources have been used for centuries and have led to serious environmental issues such as climate change and global warming. Therefore, humans have made significant efforts to reduce the effects of greenhouse gases and save the planet. In this context, people have started using clean sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy, and water energy. These sources do not damage the environment and are renewable.
First of all, the use of solar energy is growing rapidly. Humans created special panels that turn sunlight into electricity. In the beginning, producing those panels was too expensive, but technological advancements made the production easier and cheaper. Nowadays, more people and businesses use solar energy panels to reduce to money paid for electric bills. Leading countries using solar energy are Germany, China, and the USA.
Regarding wind energy, humans created huge wind turbines that turn wind into electricity. These turbines are placed in areas called wind farms, often located in the oceans. Locating the wind turbines in the oceans is better than on land because the ocean winds are stronger and more durable than those of land. Denmark and the UK are leaders in creating offshore wind turbine farms. In addition to generating clean sources of energy, such projects help the local economy by creating job opportunities.
Water energy, also Hydropower, is also a clean source of energy. Flowing water is used to generate electricity. Humans built dams on rivers to store water. Later, those dams were used to produce electricity using the water’s energy. However, large hydropower projects can harm the environment; therefore, it is used on small scales.
Despite the numerous benefits, there are still many challenges to using renewable energy. One challenge is the unpredictable weather that affects the amount of energy produced from wind and solar sources. People are trying to find technological solutions, such as using batteries to save energy. Another challenge is the high cost. However, technology also provides solutions for this issue.
In conclusion, it has become a necessity to switch to renewable energy for a sustainable future. When more countries use energy from solar, wind, and hydropower sources, less fossil fuel will be used. As a result, the effects of greenhouse gases will be reduced. Additionally, it will also create new job opportunities for many people.