Close up B1+ 10 th grade Reading Final

READING

I. Read the text and answer the questions 1-7. Choose a, b, c, or d.

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm  

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

1. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight 

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm  

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

2. What makes the panels weather-resistant?

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm 

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

3. What is at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive?

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm 

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

4. What is done with extra power not used by the photovoltaic apartment building?

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm 

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

5. Your father works 9-5 including weekends. On which day should he visit the demonstration solar home?

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm 

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

6. Photovoltaic technology

Solar energy

Solar technology is one of the many ways in which you can reduce your ecological footprint and cut costs on your utility bills at the same time. Currently, many companies, factories and even homes are powered by photovoltaic installations. Photovoltaics (PV) is a form of solar technology that produces electicity from sunlight without the use of batteries or other electrical devices. Photovoltaic panels or cells that are attached to the roof of a building collect the sunlight and turn it into electricity. These panels are fitted onto a roof individually, but the warmth of the sun helps to secure the panels to the roof making it weather-resistant. PV is rapidly gaining in popularity and is probably the fastest growing source of alternative energy.

Where to see practical applications of PV

Go see the Oakland University public demonstration project at 4000 Meadowbrook Drive. The university installed a photovoltaic roof on one of their student apartment buildings. The roof is split into four parts in order to face north, south, east and west to maximise exposure to sunlight. It collects light from the sun and turns it into energy and is also aesthetically pleasing to look at. The power that is not used by the photovoltaic apartment building is then fed to other buildings on the campus. In this way, just one building with the photovoltaic system is able to power several other buildings that have not installed this type of technology. On the other hand, on cloudy days when the sunlight is not adequate to power the building, the photovoltaic building is able to feed off the power from other buildings that it is ‘connected’ to. There is no electricity bill and never a shortage of hot water!

Find out more at www.oakland.edu/energy/solar.htm

Or come and visit the Alternative Energy Commission (AEC) demonstration solar home. See a home that is powered solely by solar energy and get information about solutions that will suit your own needs.

12 Bellevue Ave.

Open Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm,

Wed 1:00pm - 8:00pm

Weekends 10:00am – 5:00pm 

How PV benefits you and the environment!

Using photovoltaics is good for the environment because this kind of energy doesn’t create any pollution. Without any effort, the use of this system, as opposed to other forms of energy, helps the environment. The cost of buying and installing a photovoltaic system depends on the size of the house and the amount of available sunlight, and while the initial cost may seem high, in the long run it will pay for itself by eliminating electricity bills. In addition, photovoltaic systems have low maintenance costs. 

Questions?

For more information on photovoltaic technology, initial installation costs and solar resource (sunlight) available in your region, please contact Mandy Sanders at sanders@aec.com

Alternative Energy Commission

12 Bellevue Ave, Rochester MI 47603

Phone 248-793-6789

7. If you want to know if the sunlight in your area is adequate for a photovoltaic system to be effective, you should

II. Read the article about two islands.

Five sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from the sentences A – F the one which fits each gap (1 – 5). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Islands of Living History.

The Galápagos Islands are located 1,000 kilometres from the South American mainland, but they are completely different to anywhere else on Earth. The islands are located where three oceans come together. They are famous for their many unique animal species such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises, the blue-footed booby and a wide variety of finches. 1________         

This variety of species attracted the interest of Charles Darwin in 1835. 2______             He noted that although all of the islands had the same environment and climate, each individual island was home to its own unique set of species. He believed that these species had adapted to a unique diet and to the microenvironment of the island they were living on. 

Surprisingly, the environment of the islands has remained remarkably unchanged and about 95 percent of the animal species that originally lived on the islands are still there today.  3______ . High levels of tourism; about 10,000 people visit every year, overfishing and the introduction of new species threaten the islands. 

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which includes a group of islands and the sea surrounding them, also has a huge number of species of animals. 4 __________ .    The area, which is about 408,250 square kilometres, also includes huge areas of deep ocean with 30 large underwater volcanoes. This group of islands is one of Earth’s last perfectly-preserved coral ecosystems. 

The Phoenix Islands have remained practically untouched by humans. Besides being beautiful and home to an amazing number of species, the islands are important to scientists as examples of healthy reefs. PIPA is the first protected area to include large areas of deep water in this part of the South Pacific.

 5 ______  .   Because so much of the deep ocean is unknown and unexplored, placing it under protection may help to save species which have not been discovered yet.

Islands of Living History.

The Galápagos Islands are located 1,000 kilometres from the South American mainland, but they are completely different to anywhere else on Earth. The islands are located where three oceans come together. They are famous for their many unique animal species such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises, the blue-footed booby and a wide variety of finches. 1________         

This variety of species attracted the interest of Charles Darwin in 1835. 2______  .  He noted that although all of the islands had the same environment and climate, each individual island was home to its own unique set of species. He believed that these species had adapted to a unique diet and to the microenvironment of the island they were living on. 

Surprisingly, the environment of the islands has remained remarkably unchanged and about 95 percent of the animal species that originally lived on the islands are still there today. 3______ . High levels of tourism; about 10,000 people visit every year, overfishing and the introduction of new species threaten the islands. 

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which includes a group of islands and the sea surrounding them, also has a huge number of species of animals. 4 __________ .    The area, which is about 408,250 square kilometres, also includes huge areas of deep ocean with 30 large underwater volcanoes. This group of islands is one of Earth’s last perfectly-preserved coral ecosystems. 

The Phoenix Islands have remained practically untouched by humans. Besides being beautiful and home to an amazing number of species, the islands are important to scientists as examples of healthy reefs. PIPA is the first protected area to include large areas of deep water in this part of the South Pacific.

 5 ______  .  Because so much of the deep ocean is unknown and unexplored, placing it under protection may help to save species which have not been discovered yet.

Islands of Living History.

The Galápagos Islands are located 1,000 kilometres from the South American mainland, but they are completely different to anywhere else on Earth. The islands are located where three oceans come together. They are famous for their many unique animal species such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises, the blue-footed booby and a wide variety of finches. 1________         

This variety of species attracted the interest of Charles Darwin in 1835. 2______  .  He noted that although all of the islands had the same environment and climate, each individual island was home to its own unique set of species. He believed that these species had adapted to a unique diet and to the microenvironment of the island they were living on. 

Surprisingly, the environment of the islands has remained remarkably unchanged and about 95 percent of the animal species that originally lived on the islands are still there today. 3______ . High levels of tourism; about 10,000 people visit every year, overfishing and the introduction of new species threaten the islands. 

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which includes a group of islands and the sea surrounding them, also has a huge number of species of animals. 4 __________ .    The area, which is about 408,250 square kilometres, also includes huge areas of deep ocean with 30 large underwater volcanoes. This group of islands is one of Earth’s last perfectly-preserved coral ecosystems. 

The Phoenix Islands have remained practically untouched by humans. Besides being beautiful and home to an amazing number of species, the islands are important to scientists as examples of healthy reefs. PIPA is the first protected area to include large areas of deep water in this part of the South Pacific.

 5 ______  .  Because so much of the deep ocean is unknown and unexplored, placing it under protection may help to save species which have not been discovered yet.

Islands of Living History.

The Galápagos Islands are located 1,000 kilometres from the South American mainland, but they are completely different to anywhere else on Earth. The islands are located where three oceans come together. They are famous for their many unique animal species such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises, the blue-footed booby and a wide variety of finches. 1________         

This variety of species attracted the interest of Charles Darwin in 1835. 2______  .  He noted that although all of the islands had the same environment and climate, each individual island was home to its own unique set of species. He believed that these species had adapted to a unique diet and to the microenvironment of the island they were living on. 

Surprisingly, the environment of the islands has remained remarkably unchanged and about 95 percent of the animal species that originally lived on the islands are still there today. 3______ . High levels of tourism; about 10,000 people visit every year, overfishing and the introduction of new species threaten the islands. 

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which includes a group of islands and the sea surrounding them, also has a huge number of species of animals.

4 __________ .    The area, which is about 408,250 square kilometres, also includes huge areas of deep ocean with 30 large underwater volcanoes. This group of islands is one of Earth’s last perfectly-preserved coral ecosystems. 

The Phoenix Islands have remained practically untouched by humans. Besides being beautiful and home to an amazing number of species, the islands are important to scientists as examples of healthy reefs. PIPA is the first protected area to include large areas of deep water in this part of the South Pacific.

 5 ______  .  Because so much of the deep ocean is unknown and unexplored, placing it under protection may help to save species which have not been discovered yet.

Islands of Living History.

The Galápagos Islands are located 1,000 kilometres from the South American mainland, but they are completely different to anywhere else on Earth. The islands are located where three oceans come together. They are famous for their many unique animal species such as marine iguanas, giant tortoises, the blue-footed booby and a wide variety of finches. 1________         

This variety of species attracted the interest of Charles Darwin in 1835. 2______  .  He noted that although all of the islands had the same environment and climate, each individual island was home to its own unique set of species. He believed that these species had adapted to a unique diet and to the microenvironment of the island they were living on. 

Surprisingly, the environment of the islands has remained remarkably unchanged and about 95 percent of the animal species that originally lived on the islands are still there today. 3______ . High levels of tourism; about 10,000 people visit every year, overfishing and the introduction of new species threaten the islands. 

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), which includes a group of islands and the sea surrounding them, also has a huge number of species of animals.

4 __________ .    The area, which is about 408,250 square kilometres, also includes huge areas of deep ocean with 30 large underwater volcanoes. This group of islands is one of Earth’s last perfectly-preserved coral ecosystems. 

The Phoenix Islands have remained practically untouched by humans. Besides being beautiful and home to an amazing number of species, the islands are important to scientists as examples of healthy reefs. PIPA is the first protected area to include large areas of deep water in this part of the South Pacific.

 5 ______  .  Because so much of the deep ocean is unknown and unexplored, placing it under protection may help to save species which have not been discovered yet.