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Skills WorksheetActive ReadingSection: Renewable Energy TodayRead the passage below and answer the questions that follow.Solar cells, also called photovoltaic cells, convert the suns 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 dont 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 IDEASOne 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 suns 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.

Active Reading continuedRECOGNIZING SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCESOne 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 DEVELOPMENTIn the space provided, write the letter of the definition that best matches the term or phrase.

6.photovoltaic cells

7.solar panels

8.energy consumption

9.batteriesRECOGNIZING 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 arent solar cells used to meet all of our energy needs?

Active ReadingSECTION: RENEWABLE ENERGY TODAY

1.c

2.b

3.d

4.They have no moving parts and run on nonpolluting power from the sun.

5.Todays solar cells are more efficient and less expensive.

6.c

7.e

8.a

9.b

10.Solar cells supply energy to homes, space stations, and common objects

such as calculators.

11.In developing countries, energy consumption is minimal and electricity networks are limited.

12.Solar cells produce only a small amount of electricity; thus, acres of them would be needed to supply energy for a small city. Also, solar cells require extended periods of sunlight.SECTION: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND CONSERVATION

1.d

2.b

3.c

4.Energy efficiency refers to using energy without wasting it.

5.Insulation protects homes from energy loss.

6.c

7.a

8.windows, doors, walls, and the roof

9.A person can hold a ribbon up to the edges of windows and doors. If the ribbon flutters, there is a leak.

10.It is lost when heated or cooled air escapes through gaps around windows and doors.Map Skills

1.New York, Washington, Oregon

2.less than

3.Answers will vary depending on geo-graphic location.

4.Answers may vary. Students should mention that hydroelectric power is renewable energy and relatively nonpolluting. Students should also indicate that damming rivers may damage ecosystems.QuizSECTION: RENEWABLE ENERGY TODAYMatchingMultiple Choice

1.b6.c

2.d7.a

3.e8.a

4.a9.d

5.c10.bSECTION: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CONSERVATIONMatchingMultiple Choice

1.b6.a

2.a7.c

3.d8.d

4.e9.c

5.c10.b

Chapter Test GeneralMATCHING

1.a

2.e

3.c

4.b

5.d

MULTIPLE CHOICE

6.c14.b

7.c15.a

8.d16.d

9.a17.c

10.a18.c

11.c19.b

12.d20.a

13.d

Chapter Test AdvancedMATCHINGMULTIPLE CHOICE

1.b6.b

2.c7.c

3.d8.a

4.e9.d

5.a10.c

a.power usage

b.store energy collected by solar cells

c.convert the suns energy into electricity

d.collections of solar cells

Original content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Holt Environmental Science7Renewable Energy