USTHB/CEIL M2 Chemistry Unit: 1

I. Reading comprehension

Alternative energy sources

A number of different energy sources are used every day, but where does this energy come from?
Burning of fossil fuel is a main energy source. Sources other than this fossil fuel are known
as alternative energy sources and there are several of them being used every day.
The water used by whitewater rafters has a tremendous amount of energy. That water energy can be
harnessed to perform work by using waterwheels. Running or falling water turns the wheel, and the
turning wheel spins an axle which can be attached to machinery to do various work. In a mill, the
waterwheel turns and a big stone grinds grain. In a sawmill, waterwheels turn the axle and a blade cuts
wood. Finally, in a hydroelectric plant the running or falling water spins a generator to create
electricity.
Not only does water spin a wheel, but wind can do so as well. Windmills work in the same manner
as a waterwheel. For many years, windmills were usually used mainly for milling grain, pumping
water, or both. Today, though, all of that has changed, windmills are used as wind turbines that can
generate electricity. As the wind propels the blades, energy is created and stored to be used to perform
work. As long as there is movement, energy can be produced, and the wind is an excellent alternative
energy source. In many parts of the Midwest where there is an abundance of wind, energy is produced
for homes and businesses.
The internal heat of the earth is another energy source. The interior of the earth is very hot as is
evidenced by hot water or steam coming out of the ground in certain places on the Earth. The earth's
internal heat is called geothermal energy which can be used to heat homes and produce electricity.
There are homes in Boise, Idaho that have been heated solely by hot springs since the 1890's. Also at
the Geysers in California, steam drives turbines that generate electricity. This steam comes from
underground water that is heated by geothermal energy.
Every day the sun provides energy. Solar energy is often thought to be just sunlight that is full of
energy, but it is the sunlight that gives water the energy to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere.
People are finding new ways to harness the power of sunlight, and one major way is to trap or
concentrate sunlight with the use of solar panels. This trapped sunlight can be used to heat homes and
water. Also solar cells are devices that convert sunlight into electric energy.
As the use of alternative energy sources increases, the consumption of the earth's fossil fuels will
also decrease. One watt of energy that is used by solar cells is less than one watt used by power plants
burning oil or coal. If society hopes to see the next generation have the resources needed to heat homes
and drive cars, alternative energy sources are needed today.
Fossil fuel is the most common source of energy today, but it is not considered clean energy. There
are various other sources of alternative energy that must be incorporated if the next generations are
expected to have energy. Water, wind, the internal heat of the earth, and the sun are all being harnessed
to create energy. Geothermal energy and solar energy are more common. Homes are being heated and
cooled, cars are being driven, and electricity is used all from these various alternative sources of
energy. All are examples of clean energy, which is better for the environment because it does not cause
pollution.
A. Choose the correct answer.

1. Sources of energy other than fossil fuel are called which of the following?
a. Alternative sources of energy
b. Geothermal energy
c. Solar energy
d. Water energy
 2. Water energy can be harnessed by using which of the following tools?
a. Windmills
b. Waterwheels
c. Aqua cells
d. Hydroelectric wheels

3. The earth's internal heat is called which of the following?

a. Solar energy
b. Core energy
c. Geothermal energy
d. Steam energy

4. Which of the following is a device that converts sunlight into electric energy?
a. Solar cells
b. Solar panels
c. Converters
d. hydropanels

5. Which of the following is a tool used to trap or concentrate sunlight to be used for energy?
a. Solar cells
b. Solar panels
c. Solar services
d. Solar sensors

B. Fill in the gaps in the sentences with these words

Biomass cylinders decay digester ethanol ferment fertilizer methane petrol wood

1. ………………………… energy comes from plant material and animals excreta.

2. Plant material, such as …………………………………, has been burnt for thousands of years to
obtain heat directly.
3. However, we now also …………………… material to obtain alcohol which can be used to power
vehicles.
4. In most cases the ………………..that is made is mixed with petrol to form a mixture called
gasohol.
5. This is used as an alternative to ……………………..
6. Biogas is a gas produced from the anaerobic ……………………….of organic matter, vegetable
refuse or animal excreta.
7. Biogas mainly contains the hydrocarbon gas …………………………..or natural gas.
8. Like natural gas, biogas can be used directly or stored in …………………………for later use.
9. After the biogas is formed the remains are removed from the tank, called
the……………………….
10. This is used as a ………………………… because it is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium, which are essential for proper plant growth.
II. Language work

Parallel increase

A. The parallel increase is a structure of comparison in which two comparatives are used to
show that one thing depends on the other and varying simultaneously
Form:

The + comparative ……………..+ the + comparative.

 The … -er, the more…

 The more…, the… -er
 The …. –er, the (less/ fewer)

Examples:

 The more memory your computer has, the more data it can store.
 The bigger your computer system is, the less time you spend waiting.
 The more training you give to your trainees, the better they will perform.
 The hotter, the better.

B. Gradual increase:

We sometimes use expression like (…easier and easier) or (….more and more important) to
show that something is increasing all the time.

Examples:

 Pollution is spreading faster and faster. OR

 Pollution is spreading more and more fast.
 Nowadays, solutions for pollution eradication seem to be more and more effective.

C. Equivalence and non-equivalence:

Comparison may also show equivalence and non-equivalence. The following words or
constructions are used for showing that things or people are similar in some way, or to
compare or contrast things or people that are separated from each other.

Equivalence Non- equivalence

 As ...as / as many…as /as much….as  Not as…as / …-er than / more…than
 The same….as / similar to / the same  Fewer…than / less…than / greater
 Are similar/ equal to / is like than
 Similar (ly) / equal (ly) / alike  Not as many…as / not as much ….as
 Compared to / with  Not equal to / unequal (ly)
 Each / either / all / both  Unlike / not the same as
 Not all
 A. Identify the type of comparison used in each of the following sentences.

1. With the unstable price of gasoline always being reported in the news, the precious liquid that
fuels cars and the economy is getting more and more necessary for daily life .
2. The more effective protection is given to the environment, the less terrible damages will occur.
3. Human health, ecosystem quality and aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity are more and more
affected and altered by pollution.
4. Pollution occurs when ecosystems cannot get rid of substances introduced into the environment
5. Driving is one of the biggest causes of pollution.

B. Complete the sentences to show parallel increase.

1. The …………………..we help each other, the ………………..we will solve the problem. (much
/fast)
2. The …………………you spend, the …………………you save. ( much / little)
3. The …………………coffee, the …………………….. (strong /good)
4. The …………………...it is, the ……………………..I like. ( difficult / much)
5. The …………………….you practice, the …………………..job you will get. (little / bad)

C. Complete the following sentences by means of gradual or parallel increases.

1. The more you smoke, …………………………the risk of lung cancer.
2. The better we eat, …………………………….we are.
3. The higher they climb, …………………………they can see.
4. The harder you work, ………………………….you will earn.
5. It’s becoming ……………………………….to get work nowadays.
6. His medical state is just getting ……………………………
7. Soil contamination and water pollution are among the biggest threats to biodiversity since they
are getting………………………………

III. Further reading

Nuclear Energy

There is energy everywhere inside the atoms that make up everything in the universe. The energy
that is stored inside an atom by the forces that hold together the nucleus of an atom is called nuclear
energy. The term nuclear comes from the nucleus which is the center of every atom. Over many
years of research and experimenting scientists have learned how to harness or capture the incredible
amounts of energy from these forces. The energy from the nucleus of an atom can be used to
generate electricity.
Albert Einstein discovered a mathematical formula that demonstrated that all matter can be
converted into energy. His formula, E = mc2 may be a simple formula, which he discovered while
working on his theory of relativity, proved that a large amount of energy could come from a very
small amount of matter, such as the single atom.
In a process called nuclear fission the atom is split. In this process the larger atom is split into
two or more smaller atoms and a large amount of energy is then released. When the splitting is
controlled and done slowly, such as what happens in a nuclear power plant, it provides electricity to
homes and businesses. If the energy is released quickly, all at once, a chain reaction takes place and
the result is a nuclear explosion.
The nuclear fission occurring at a nuclear power plant produces heat, the heat is then used to
create steam from water, which then powers electrical generators creating the electricity for towns
and cities. A non-nuclear power plant may use coal, wind, oil, or water to power generators. Around
twenty percent of the electricity in the United States is produced by nuclear power plants.
 For fuel, a nuclear power plant uses an element called uranium. Rods of uranium are used to
make sure the splitting of the atom takes place in a controlled manner during the chain reaction. If it
is not controlled, a nuclear explosion may occur. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of nuclear
energy is radioactive waste. Radioactive waste is the leftover material not used during the nuclear
reaction that generated the electricity. The material can be dangerous to all life.
An advantage of nuclear power is its ability to be used to power ships and submarines, which can
stay under water and travel at high speeds for a long time. There is no need to refuel like
traditionally powered ships or submarines.
Nuclear fusion is a second type of nuclear energy. Nuclear fusion takes place when two or more
atoms are joined together, not split apart. This is how the stars in the galaxies get their power.
Hydrogen atoms deep inside the star are constantly being converted into helium atoms through
fusion. The process results in the light and heat energy given off by the Sun and the other stars in
the sky.
Unlike fission, scientists do not yet know how to control fusion to produce useable nuclear
energy. The advantage to using fusion over fission is that it would produce less radioactive waste. It
would also lead to an unlimited supply of energy and electricity.
In summary, nuclear energy is produced by splitting the atom, first introduced by Albert Einstein
during experiments with his theory of relativity. When the atom is split in a controlled manner,
energy is produced, and in many places throughout the world, this energy is used for electricity. If
the atom is split without this control, a chain reaction can result in a nuclear explosion.
A. Choose the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is the location of the stored energy in the atom?
a. Inside the nucleus
b. Outside the nucleus
c. In an electron
d. In a proton

2. Which of the following best defines nuclear fission?

a. A smaller atom is split and made into larger atoms and a large amount of energy is
then released.
b. A larger atom is split into two or more smaller atoms and a large amount of energy is
then released.
c. A smaller atom is combined with other atoms causes a reaction and a large amount
of energy is released.
d. A larger atom is split into another atom and small amounts of energy is then slowly
released.

3. Which of the following may occur if the energy of an atom is released too quickly?
a. Nuclear explosion
b. Radioactive leak
c. Electricity
d. None of the above

4. Which of the following element is used for fuel by a nuclear power plant?
a. Hydrogen
b. Helium
c. Uranium
d. Oxygen
 5. Which of the following takes place deep inside the stars of a galaxy?
a. Helium atoms are converted to hydrogen through fusion
b. Helium atoms are joined with hydrogen atoms through fusion
c. Hydrogen atoms are converted to helium atoms through fusion
d. Hydrogen atoms are joined with helium atoms through fusion

6. Which of the following takes place when two or more atoms are joined together to produce
energy?
a. Nuclear fusion
b. Nuclear fission
c. Nuclear waste
d. Nuclear collision

B. Reorder the following words about “ENERGY”, and then search for them.

OEIAPLNTT CCHMEILA CRELTICEAL REACNUL LARSO

THEA KINETIC LGP NLREEABEW FSLOSI

EULF NIWD SODUN

F C Y R A L O S K L
B U R A E L C U N A
Q Y E S O U N D W C
X A X L Z W I N D I
C I T E N I K W Z M
L A C I R T C E L E
L A I T N E T O P H
S A M O I B A R B C
F E L B A W E N E R
F O S S I L H L P G

IV. Writing.

Fossil fuels are used every day as energy sources by humans in different ways. Write a
paragraph in which you explain why should we limitate the use of fossil fuels and what are the
alternative sources?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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