Section: Renewable Energy Today

Name______Class______Date______Skills Worksheet Active Reading

Section: Renewable Energy Today Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. Solar cells, also called photovoltaic cells, convert the sun’s energy into electricity. Solar cells were invented more than 120 years ago, and now they are used to power everything from calculators to space stations. Solar cells have no moving parts, and they run on nonpolluting power from the sun. So why don’t solar cells meet all of our energy needs? A solar cell produces a very small electrical current. So meeting the needs of a small city would require covering hundreds of acres with solar panels. Solar cells also require extended periods of sunshine to produce energy. This energy is stored in batteries, which supply electricity when the sun is not shining. Despite these limitations, energy production from solar cells has doubled every four years since 1985. Solar cells have become increasingly efficient and less expensive. Solar cells have great potential for use in developing countries, where energy consumption is minimal and electricity networks are limited. Currently, solar cells provide energy for more than 1 million households in the developing world. IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEAS One reading skill is the ability to identify the main idea of a passage. The main idea is the main focus or key idea. Frequently, a main idea is accompanied by supporting information that offers detailed facts about main ideas. In the space provided, write the letter of the term or phrase that best completes each statement or best answers each question. ______1. Solar cells convert the sun’s energy into a. light. b. heat. c. electricity. d. pollution. ______2. What factor regarding solar cells has doubled every four years since 1985? a. the number of solar cells produced b. the amount of energy produced by solar cells c. the number of people who use solar cells d. the price of solar cells ______3. Solar cells have great potential for use in a. cities. c. factories. b. private homes. d. developing countries.

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor. Holt Environmental Science 7 Renewable Energy Name______Class______Date______Active Reading continued

RECOGNIZING SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES One reading skill is the ability to recognize similarities and differences between two phrases, ideas, or things. This is sometimes known as comparing and contrasting. Read the following questions and write the answers in the space provided. 4. How are solar cells different from most other power sources? ______5. How are solar cells of today superior to solar cells of the 1980s? ______

VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT In the space provided, write the letter of the definition that best matches the term or phrase. ______6. photovoltaic cells a. power usage b. store energy collected by solar cells ______7. solar panels c. convert the sun’s energy into electricity ______8. energy consumption d. collections of solar cells ______9. batteries

RECOGNIZING CAUSE AND EFFECT One reading skill is the ability to recognize cause and effect. Read the following questions and write the answers in the space provided. 10. How are solar cells used today? ______11. Why are solar cells particularly suitable for developing countries? ______12. Why aren’t solar cells used to meet all of our energy needs? ______

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor. Holt Environmental Science 8 Renewable Energy TEACHER RESOURCE PAGE renewable energy and relatively Active Reading nonpolluting. Students should also indicate that damming rivers may damage SECTION: RENEWABLE ENERGY ecosystems. TODAY 1. c 2. b Quiz 3. d 4. They have no moving parts and run on SECTION: RENEWABLE ENERGY nonpolluting power from the sun. TODAY Matching Multiple Choice 5. Today’s solar cells are more efficient and less expensive. 1. b 6. c 6. c 2. d 7. a 7. e 3. e 8. a 8. a 4. a 9. d 9. b 5. c 10. b 10. Solar cells supply energy to homes, space SECTION: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY stations, and common objects CONSERVATION such as calculators. Matching Multiple Choice 11. In developing countries, energy 1. b 6. a consumption is minimal and electricity 2. a 7. c networks are limited. 3. d 8. d 12. Solar cells produce only a small amount 4. e 9. c of electricity; thus, acres of them would 5 .c 10. b be needed to supply energy for a small city. Also, solar cells require extended Chapter Test General periods of sunlight. SECTION: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY MATCHING AND CONSERVATION 1. a 1. d 2. e 2. b 3. c 3. c 4. b 4. Energy efficiency refers to using energy 5. d without wasting it. MULTIPLE CHOICE 5. Insulation protects homes from energy 6. c 14. b loss. 7. c 15. a 6. c 8. d 16. d 7. a 9. a 17. c 8. windows, doors, walls, and the roof 10. a 18. c 9. A person can hold a ribbon up to the 11. c 19. b edges of windows and doors. If the ribbon 12. d 20. a flutters, there is a leak. 13. d 10. It is lost when heated or cooled air escapes through gaps around windows and doors. Chapter Test Advanced Map Skills MATCHING MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. New York, Washington, Oregon 1. b 6. b 2. less than 2. c 7. c 3. Answers will vary depending on geo- 3. d 8. a graphic location. 4. e 9. d 4. Answers may vary. Students should 5 .a 10. c mention that hydroelectric power is