Skills Worksheet
Active Reading
Section 1: 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 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. Meeting
the electricity needs of a small city would require covering hundreds of acres
of land with solar panels. Solar cells also require extended periods of
sunshine to produce electricity. This energy is stored in batteries, which
supply electricity when the sun is not shining.
Despite these limitations, the demand for electricity from solar energy
has grown about 30 percent per year over the past 20 years. Solar cells are
becoming increasingly efficient and less expensive. Solar cells have great
potential for use in developing countries, where energy consumption is minimal
and electricity distribution networks are limited. Currently, solar cells
provide energy for more than 3 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. Solar
cells have great potential for use in
a. cities. c. factories.
b. private homes. d. developing countries.
Read the following questions and write the
answers in the space provided.
3. How are
solar cells different from most other power sources?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. How are
solar cells of today superior to solar cells that were produced 20 years ago?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
In the space provided, write the letter of
the definition that best matches the term or phrase.
_____ 5. photovoltaic
cells
_____ 6. solar
panels
_____ 7. energy
consumption
_____ 8. 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.
9. Why are solar cells particularly suitable for
developing countries?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
10. Why aren’t solar cells used to meet all of our
energy needs?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
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