Page 15 - READING COMPANION TO ENGLISH EXAMS

1.2 RENEWABLE ENERGY

Harnessing the Power of Nature

Energy is essential for sustaining our daily activities and driving economic growth. However, it is important that
we use safe and efficient energy sources. Despite the increasing use of renewable energy sources, most of
the world’s energy still relies on fossil fuels because of their capacity to generate a large amount of electricity
at a single location. This situation not only creates major economic burdens for the countries dependent on
fossil fuels but also poses a risk of global warming. The potential costs of global warming impacts, such as
infrastructure damage from floods or hurricanes, urge governments to find clean energy solutions immediately.
Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water, and geothermal energy, can be replenished by
nature. They generate few pollutants in the air, making them a much better choice than traditional fossil fuels.
Compared to other renewable energy sources, solar energy is becoming increasingly popular among individuals
and governments for its numerous advantages. Solar power is an excellent choice for its reliability as an
eternal source of energy. Solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity, which can be
used for various purposes, such as powering homes and businesses, heating buildings and water, or producing
electricity on a large scale in cities and towns. As fossil fuel prices continue to rise, more and more cities and
towns are turning to solar power to generate electricity. Additionally, the decreasing cost of solar panels makes
solar energy a viable option for the individuals and municipalities seeking out clean energy sources.

a Match the highlighted words and phrases in the passage to the definitions below.

1. : to provide enough of what somebody needs in order to live or exist
2. : to look for and find someone or something
3. : more and more
4. : responsibility that causes worry
5. : capable of producing desired results with little or no waste
6. : to fill or build up again
7. : at once; without delay
8. : to depend on someone or something
9. : a substance that makes air, water, soil, etc. dangerously dirty
10. : continuing forever

b Complete the following table with the correct forms of the words.

verb noun adjective adverb

sustain

X efficient
burden X

X immediately

replenish X X
pollutant X

increasingly

X eternal

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