📖 课文原文 · Powering the Planet
Paragraph A
Powering the Planet Despite modern societies heavy dependence on fossil fuels for energy, most people are aware that the supply of these fuels is finite.
As oil and other fossil fuels become more costly and difficult to find, researchers are looking at alternative energy sources, including solar, wind, and even nuclear power.
But which substitute, if any, is the right one?
Solar.
Solar panels catch energy directly from the sun and convert it into electricity.
One of the world's largest solar power stations is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where more than 2.5 million solar panels have the capacity to generate
Paragraph B
enough power for 750,000 people.
But unlike the burning of fossil fuels, the process used to create all that solar energy produces no emissions.
Today, however, solar power provides less than 2% of the world's energy, primarily because the cost of the panels is still very high.
But price is only one issue.
Paragraph C
Clouds and darkness also cause solar panels to produce less energy.
This requires that additional power sources, such as batteries, be available.
Some scientists think the solution to this problem can be found in space, which is the ideal place to gather energy from the sun.
With no clouds and no nighttime, a space-based solar power station could operate constantly.
Paragraph D
These stations would send the power back to Earth, which could then be turned into electricity for consumption.
Advocates of solar space stations say this technology would initially require a lot of money, but eventually it could provide continuous clean energy that would be cheaper than other fuels.
Also, unlike other energy sources, solar power from space would last as long as the sun shines, and would guarantee everyone on Earth all the energy they need.
Paragraph E
Wind.
Wind, the fastest growing alternative energy source, is another way of collecting energy from the sun.
Wind is caused by the sun's heat rather than its light.
Therefore, unlike solar power, wind power works well even on cloudy days.
All over the world incentives designed to decrease the dependence on oil and coal have led to a steep increase in wind powered energy.
Today, Asia leads the world in wind power, producing around 230,000 megawatts, the equivalent of 230 large coal powered plants.
Paragraph F
Europe produces nearly 180,000 megawatts.
North America remains a distant third at 105,000.
Despite its successes, some people are protesting wind power development, saying the turbines are both noisy and ugly.
Just outside England's Lake District, a protected national park, a dozen existing wind towers are due to be removed.
This is a high-quality landscape, says one local homeowner, they shouldn't be putting those things in here.
There are other challenges too.
If the wind doesn't blow, the turbines are not able to produce adequate energy.
As a result, other power sources are needed.
In contrast, a strong wind can create too much power.
Paragraph G
In cases like this, the energy company must sell the extra power at a much reduced rate, which is not good for business.
What's needed for both wind and solar is a way to store a large energy surplus.
However, most systems are still decades away from making this a reality.
On the plus side, both wind and solar power enable people to generate their own energy where they live.
People can have their own windmills or solar panels with batteries for calm days.
Paragraph H
Nuclear.
In the 1970s, nuclear power was seen as the main energy alternative.
Nuclear power produces vast amounts of electricity more cheaply than gas or coal with no carbon emissions.
For a number of years in the 1980s and 90s, however, use of nuclear power declined due to accidents.
Concerns about nuclear waste storage and disposal and high-construction costs.
Today, times are changing.
Worldwide, about 450 plants generate 11% of the planet's electric power, and some countries have invested heavily in nuclear energy.
France, for instance, gets three-quarters of its electricity from nuclear power,
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the highest percentage of any country.
China has started to build one or two new plants a year, and India has also begun to utilize nuclear energy on a large scale.
However, there are still concerns about the safety of nuclear power, as seen, for example, at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.
The country had to close the nuclear reactors at Fukushima, when the plant was hit by a tsunami, and, as a consequence, began releasing substantial amounts of radioactive materials.
Many still believe, however, that nuclear power is one of the future's greenest energy alternatives.
Paragraph J
In the end, are any of these sources alone the answer to our current energy problems?
The short answer is no, but used in some combination, along with other power sources, we may find ways to reduce and eventually eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels.
🎯 目标词汇发音与释义 (Target Vocabulary)
capacity
/kəˈpæsəti/
n.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
The maximum amount that something can contain or produce.
容量，产能，能力
💬 课本原句例句
5 million solar panels have the capacity to generate enough power for 750,000 people.
decline
/dɪˈklaɪn/
v./n.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
To diminish in strength, value, or quality; decrease.
下降，减少，衰退
💬 课本原句例句
For a number of years in the 1980s and 90s, however, use of nuclear power declined due to accidents.
dispose
/dɪˈspoʊz/
v.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
To get rid of something, especially that which is no longer needed.
处理，处置（常与 of 连用）
💬 课本原句例句
Concerns remain about nuclear waste storage and disposal, as well as high construction costs.
eliminate
/ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt/
v.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
To completely remove or get rid of something.
消除，淘汰，根除
💬 课本原句例句
The short answer is no, but used in some combination, along with other power sources, we may find ways to reduce and eventually eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels.
equivalent
/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
adj./n.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
Equal in value, amount, function, or meaning.
等价的，相当于的
💬 课本原句例句
Today, Asia leads the world in wind power, producing around 230,000 megawatts, the equivalent of 230 large coal powered plants.
guarantee
/ˌɡærənˈtiː/
v./n.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
To promise that something will be done or will happen.
保证，担保
💬 课本原句例句
Also, unlike other energy sources, solar power from space would last as long as the sun shines, and would guarantee everyone on Earth all the energy they need.
protest
/ˈproʊtest/
n./v.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
抗议，反对
💬 课本原句例句
Despite its successes, some people are protesting wind power development, saying the turbines are both noisy and ugly.
steep
/stiːp/
adj.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
Rising or falling sharply; nearly perpendicular.
陡峭的，急剧的
💬 课本原句例句
All over the world incentives designed to decrease the dependence on oil and coal have led to a steep increase in wind powered energy.
substitute
/ˈsʌbstɪtuːt/
v./n.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
To use or add in place of something else.
替代，取代；替代品
💬 课本原句例句
But which substitute, if any, is the right one?
utilize
/ˈjuːtəlaɪz/
v.
📖 英文释义 · 词义解析
To make practical and effective use of something.
利用，使用
💬 课本原句例句
China has started to build one or two new plants a year, and India has also begun to utilize nuclear energy on a large scale.
📝 Reading Comprehension & Reading Skill
得分: 0 / 17 题
0%Before You Read · Scan (SB p.106)
1. Which country/countries mentioned in the passage use solar energy?
2. Which country/countries mentioned in the passage use wind energy?
3. Which country/countries mentioned in the passage use nuclear energy?
Before You Read A · Discussion (SB p.106)
1. What are some advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
2. Aside from solar power, what are some alternative ways of producing energy?
开放讨论题，依教师指南接受合理回答。Reading Comprehension A · Choose the best answer (SB p.109)
1. What is this reading mainly about?
2. Which statement about solar energy is stated in the text?
3. What is NOT mentioned as a disadvantage of wind power?
4. Which country gets most of its power from nuclear power?
5. Which question is closest in meaning to “In the end, are any of these sources alone the answer to our current energy problems?”
Reading Comprehension B · Match each source with the correct statement(s) (SB p.109)
1. Solar energy — choose its matching letter set.
2. Wind energy — choose its matching letter set.
3. Nuclear energy — choose its matching letter set.
Reading Skill · Identifying Pros and Cons (SB p.110)
Strategy
Use a chart to compare the advantages or disadvantages of three or more related ideas.
Advantage 1. Has constant power supply?
Advantage 2. Produces no carbon emissions?
Advantage 3. Can be produced by people at home?
Disadvantage 1. Is affected by weather conditions?
Disadvantage 2. Has a history of safety issues?
Disadvantage 3. Has high construction costs?
Critical Thinking · Evaluating Pros and Cons (SB p.110)
Which source has the most significant advantages/disadvantages? Which disadvantages are easiest to solve? Which source is the best option to replace fossil fuels? Explain.
开放讨论题，教师指南提供可能观点，无唯一答案。📘 核心词汇矩阵与跟读打卡
capacity
0
/kəˈpæsəti/
n.
The maximum amount that something can contain or produce.
decline
0
/dɪˈklaɪn/
v./n.
To diminish in strength, value, or quality; decrease.
dispose
0
/dɪˈspoʊz/
v.
To get rid of something, especially that which is no longer needed.
eliminate
0
/ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt/
v.
To completely remove or get rid of something.
equivalent
0
/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
adj./n.
Equal in value, amount, function, or meaning.
guarantee
0
/ˌɡærənˈtiː/
v./n.
To promise that something will be done or will happen.
protest
0
/ˈproʊtest/
n./v.
A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
steep
0
/stiːp/
adj.
Rising or falling sharply; nearly perpendicular.
substitute
0
/ˈsʌbstɪtuːt/
v./n.
To use or add in place of something else.
utilize
0
/ˈjuːtəlaɪz/
v.
To make practical and effective use of something.
📝 Vocabulary Practice · SB p.111
得分: 0 / 16 题复习练习完成进度0%
Part A · Completion (4 blanks; 6-word bank)
Word bank: capacity · eliminate · equivalent · steep · substitute · utilize
1. Complete: “In an effort to eventually ______ its dependence on fossil fuels.”
2. Complete: “decided to ______ some of its traditional energy production with renewable energies.”
3. Complete: “It uses the ______ amount of electricity as it did before.”
4. Complete: “other places in the region can fully ______ green energy.”
Part B · Words in Context (6 items)
1. If you protest an action, you are ______ it.
2. If a country’s energy capacity increases, it ______ more energy.
3. Over the last 100 years, ______ has been declining.
4. A steep rise in prices takes place over a ______ period of time.
5. If you guarantee someone a pay raise, you ______ them more money.
6. If you dispose of something, you ______.
Part C · Word Partners (6 items)
Mark the direction of each “steep” collocation.
1. With “a steep climb,” choose the direction.
2. With “a steep decline,” choose the direction.
3. With “a steep dive,” choose the direction.
4. With “a steep drop,” choose the direction.
5. With “a steep increase,” choose the direction.
6. With “a steep reduction,” choose the direction.
Unit 7A · 恭喜完成全课研学！
Reading Explorer 3 · Energy Solutions (Powering the Planet)
0 / 17
预习理解得分
0 / 16
复习练习得分
0 / 33
单元总得分
0%
综合正确率
“Despite modern society's heavy dependence on fossil fuels for energy, most people are aware that the supply of these fuels is finite.”