NC BOOK 4 - UNIT 12

If these facts are true, why do you think it is taking the world so long to embrace alternative energy sources?. When people play with it, the ball converts kinetic energy into electr

New Connection—Book 4

UNIT 12

Alternative Energy

Starting Off:

It’s not news that at some point in the future we will run

out of fossil fuels Although there is no way to know

exactly when it will happen, experts estimate that our

known oil deposits will run out by 2052 based on current levels of consumption But that doesn’t take into account that international energy groups expect our global

energy demand to rise almost 50% by 2035! If these

facts are true, why do you think it is taking the world so

long to embrace alternative energy sources? The United Nations believes that 80% of the world’s energy needs

could be met by alternative sources by 2050 with the

proper support What can be done to ensure that

happens?

Our organization is currently looking for people who

want to help the  (people

with little to no electricity) living in various countries in

Africa Most rural villages there are 

(lacking) in electricity, and people must rely on

heavily-polluting energy sources for cooking Unfortunately, the

fuels they use, like  (soft, black

substance), cause their homes to fill with harmful

smoke These  (unpleasant smoke

or gas) are responsible for over two million deaths a

year, and we want to stop them!

energy poor

deficient

charcoal fumes

GETTING READY

How You Can Help

As one of our volunteers, you will travel among villages and help with the

 (setting up equipment) of smoke hoods above indoor fires and stoves These will decrease the air pollution the residents breathe daily by

 (helping fresh air circulate) their homes better Additionally, you will teach women how to create more efficient stoves that need less fuel to operate Your efforts will  (equal) to vast improvements in health and quality of life Thanks to you, women will spend less time

 (looking for supplies) for wood and leaves to burn, so they’ll

be able to do more to earn money for their families!

Contact Us

Please visit our Web site if you would

like more information

installation

ventilating

equate foraging

families must burn biological fuel sources for cooking, namely charcoal 1 and wood This impacts not only the environment, but their health as well Each year,

two million people die from the harmful fumes 2 created by their indoor cooking fires, and the majority of those deaths are young children and women Several international volunteer organizations are currently working with the energy poor

to tackle 3 this problem One thing that these groups are working on is the

installation 4 of smoke hoods 5 over the fires and primitive 6 stoves located in

electricity-deficient 7 homes This helps to properly ventilate 8 them so the

occupants 9 aren’t breathing in so many toxins 10 This is usually paired with

teaching women how to build more efficient stoves that need less fuel,

minimizing 11 the amount of smoke that’s produced Combining those two things can lead to a reduction of air pollution in homes by close to 80%

Audio Transcripts:

GETTING READY

For further cutbacks 12, some groups are also introducing women to fireless

cookers In the morning, food is cooked over a fire for only a short amount of

time, and then it is transferred into a special insulated basket that stores the heat During the course of the day, the food continues to cook slowly without the need

of more fire Using these can lower a family’s fuel consumption by close to 40%

This equates 13 to not only less pollution, but also more time that can be spent on

pursuits other than foraging 14 for fuel supplies While all these efforts are helpful, big changes won’t really be seen until clean energy is made readily available to everyone This is a goal that the United Nations hopes the world will meet by

2030

Task II

Listen to the audio and use the suggested vocabulary to write a

summary of the inventions mentioned.

(brainchild, bleach, watt, replacement)

The Soccket ball is an energy generator that works by being moved around When people play with it, the ball converts

kinetic energy into electric energy that can be used to power

lights The creators of this portable device say that using it for

30 minutes will produce enough power to light a lamp for 3 hours

Solar Bottle Bulbs are the brainchild of an engineer in Brazil,

and now they are being installed in houses around the Philippines Amazingly, there is nothing more than water and

bleach in the bottles, but they are able to produce as much

light as a 50-watt light bulb Another important feature of these lights is that their replacement happens after 5 years of use,

which is great news for the poor people who need them

GETTING READY

Audio Transcripts:

With so many people in the world living without power, it’s no wonder that

inventors are trying to come up with alternative ways to brighten their lives The Soccket Ball is one such device Shaped like a regular soccer ball, this portable

power generator 15 converts kinetic 16 energy into electric energy when it’s kicked According to its creators, a 30-minute session of play time will make enough

energy to power a lamp for three hours For those with no time to play, used soda

bottles may hold the key to adequate lighting The brainchild 17 of a Brazilian

engineer, these amazing Solar Bottle Bulbs are made from discarded plastic

bottles filled with water and bleach 18 They are placed into holes cut in a roof, and when sunlight hits them, they glow just like a regular 50-watt light bulb Even

better, no bulb replacements 19 are needed for at least five years! Currently, a

foundation is working to install them in homes across the Philippines, where over three million people live without electricity

degrade

Wind Power immense

turbines

offshore

WORD POWER

Audio Transcripts:

Haley: Jackson, have you chosen a topic for your paper on

renewable 1 energy sources yet?

Jackson: I’m doing mine on hydroelectricity 2 It is a renewable and

sustainable 3 source of energy generated by the moving of water

through dams I’ve always been fascinated by immense 4 man-made

structures, so learning more about dams was right up my alley 5.Haley: So what’s the difference between renewable and sustainable energy? I thought they were the same thing

Jackson: In many cases, either of those terms can be used to describe the

same power source For example, solar power 6 is renewable because

sunlight is continually replenished 7 and also sustainable because our

use of it now doesn’t diminish 8 what can be used in the future

However, not all sustainable sources of energy are renewable, like

nuclear power 9

Haley: I see Because we have to create nuclear power; it’s not naturally occurring

WORD POWER

Audio Transcripts:

Jackson: Exactly!

Haley: What about biofuel 10, then?

Jackson: That is actually a source of contention 11 in the alternative energy 12

field While some types of biomass 13, like trees and corn, are renewable, their cultivation is not always sustainable, as replanting

them in certain areas can degrade 14 the land

Haley: Hmm You’ve given me a lot to consider, but I think I’ll do my paper on wind power After all, it’s one of the cleanest energy sources

available It would be neat to know more about the turbines 15 used to convert wind into usable energy

Jackson: You should research offshore 16 wind farms, too They’re located in

large bodies of water, where the winds are more consistent

Haley: That sounds like a perfect topic Thanks for your help!

Jackson: You’re welcome I can’t wait to see what you come up with

1 _ _ = a substance used for energy derived from the

remains of ancient organisms

2 _ _ = releases no pollution that affects the environment or

climate

3 _ _ = the long-term transformation of the world’s weather

conditions

4 _ _ = completely offsets the harmful emissions created

5 _ _ = using as little power as possible to operate

WORD POWER

B Word Focus: Energy and Environment Compound Words

Combine the words in the box to create compounds that match the

WORD POWER

C Speak Out Loud

Fill out the chart with your opinions of the energy sources below and

discuss them with a partner.

Expensive

to set up

Emits no air

pollution

Can create

a lot of energy in

a small area

Waste is hard to get rid of

Accidents are huge disasters

Very cheap

Easy to obtain

Takes away items that could be used for food

Replanting could

damage land

Of the three you discussed, which would work best in your city?

CONVERSATION ZONE

（對話影片檔）

Olivia: Rumor has it you plan to buy a car If so, what do you want to

get?

Kenneth: People sure love to dish the dirt here! You are correct, but I’m

① _ about which to choose

Olivia: Provided it’s all right to put in my two cents, I’d like to advocate 1 for a car that runs on alternative fuel Like electric vehicles

Kenneth: I admit that I don’t fully understand the ② _ 2 of how

those work, but unless I’m mistaken, they have to be plugged in for a long time every day Without access to a special charging station that

could accelerate 3 the process, owning one would be a huge hassle 4 Olivia: Say you had to charge it for hours at home, would it truly be such a

③ _ 5 considering all the good you’d be doing for the planet?

It Makes Your Car Go

Kenneth: Whether I want to do my part to help the environment or not, such a

④ _ 6 on my spare time would be unacceptable

Olivia: How about a car that runs on biofuel? That’s fuel ⑤

_ 7 from biological sources, like vegetable oil

Kenneth: Won’t that make the car smell like a deep fryer 8?

Olivia: Yeah, but you’ll get used to it

Kenneth: What about the jeers from people on the street? Listen, Olivia It’s

great you go to bat for ⑥ _ 9 power sources, but your

recommendations 10 won’t work for me For now, I’ll stick with 11 a

conventional car Maybe when things are perfected 12 in the future, I’ll

have a change of heart

Olivia: Can I at least make a plea 13 for considering hybrids 14? They

⑦ _ the convenience of gas-powered cars with some of

the positive aspects of electric ones The general consensus 15 is that they’re really great

Kenneth: I’ll think about it

CONVERSATION ZONE

eco-friendly

derived constraint

merge

CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW

A Words with Different Meanings

Match the word in bold with its definition.

1 Owen wasn’t interested in the mechanics of the device; he just wanted it to

work when he turned it on _

Several mechanics were seen about the problem, but none could figure it out

_

Definition: a n a person who repairs vehicles and machines

b n how something functions

2 The organization made a public plea for more volunteers _

The defendant was asked to enter a plea at his last courtroom visit _

Definition: a n a request, especially for something one feels emotional about

b n an official statement given after being charged with a crime

3 The look on my mother’s face when I gave her that present has stuck with me

my whole life _

The coach decided to stick with the same players from last year’s team

_

Definition: a phr to stay in someone’s memory

b phr to continue to do or use the same thing

CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW

C Multiple Choice

Choose the answers.

1 How does Olivia know Kenneth wants to get a car?

a He talked to her about it before.

b He asked for her opinion on what to buy.

c She was told by someone else.

d She overhead him telling someone.

2 What does Kenneth dislike about electric cars?

a They cost a lot of money.

b They are too complicated.

c They damage the environment.

d They take a long time to charge.

(c)

(d)

CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW

3 Why is Kenneth not interested in using biofuel?

a He doesn’t think it’s available in his area.

b He has heard it’s expensive.

c He thinks the smell will bother people.

d He doesn’t know what it is.

4 What does Kenneth promise Olivia?

a He’ll consider a hybrid.

b He’ll purchase an electric car.

c He’ll get a car that runs on alternative fuel.

d He’ll buy whichever car she recommends.

(c)

(a)

A: When I a juicy rumor, I just have to tell everyone

I know

B: I’m the same way! My friends and I every day,

and I always share all the gossip I’ve heard

A: If you something that was supposed to stay a

secret, would you tell your friends?

B: Probably! How about you? Can you hold back information when

with someone?

Complete the dialogue with the expressions above Do not use any expression twice.

EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

A Being Suitable

What One Has Heard • rumor has it (that)

• hear (something) through the grapevine

• a little birdie told (someone) (that)

• get wind of (something)

Sharing Gossip • dish the dirt

• chew the fat

get wind of

chew the fat

a little birdie told

dishing the dirt

1 A: I don’t understand why Bert keeps trying to get involved in our

conversations They’re really none of his business

B:

2 A: I know that I told you that I didn’t want to be involved in the project,

but now I realize that it’s a great opportunity

B:

EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

B Talking About Opinions

Practice giving responses to the following statements with the expressions above.

• put in / give (one’s) two cents

• say (one’s) piece

• poke/stick (one’s) nose into (something)

• have a change of heart

• do a 180 / an about-face

• flip flop

He’s always sticking his nose into other people’s business, which is

why no one in the office talks to him

I’m really glad you had a change of heart because I’d love to work with

you on this

EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

C Giving Assistance and Support

Rewrite the parts in bold using the expressions given.

‧do (one’s) part (for someone/something)

‧go to bat for (someone/something)

‧throw (one’s) weight behind (someone/something)

‧look out for (someone/something)

‧stick up for (someone/something)

‧bail (someone/something) out

A: I can’t believe those guys were picking on Joseph I’m glad I was there to show my support for him

B: That was such a mean thing for them to do It’s good that Joseph has someone to aid him like you

A: Yeah It’s important to me that friends help each other

B: I’m impressed that you’re so willing to give assistance to any friend who needs it

→ stick up for him → to go to bat for him

→ throw their weight behind each other

→ look out for your friends

EXPRESSION PRACTICE

A Make Inferences

Listen to the audio Check the appropriate inferences and include the

reasons Use the expressions you’ve learned if possible.

■ 1 Owen had been speaking to

someone about his class

schedule before meeting Leah

■ 2 Few students found the music

appreciation class appealing

■ 3 Owen’s friend Amy has

previously taken the economics

class she suggests he try

■ 4 In the past, Leah has asked for

people’s opinions about

classes that require little effort

■ 5 Leah and Owen are in their

final year of college





Owen tells Leah that he had gotten

wind of some bad news about the

class they had signed up for

Owen says a little birdie told him that

the class was being canceled due to few students signing up for the class

When Owen was chewing the fat with

Amy, she suggested he take the class that she had signed up for, not one that she had taken

Leah was already aware of which classes were rumored to be easy or difficult

The two classmates plan to dish the

dirt with older students, so they can’t



Audio Transcripts:

EXPRESSION PRACTICE

Owen: Leah, I’ve gotten wind of something terrible!

Leah: Oh no, Owen What is it?

Owen: The music appreciation class that we planned to take next semester is

getting canceled

Leah: You have to be kidding! Why?

Owen: A little birdie told me that it didn’t meet the attendance threshold.

Leah: That’s too bad What should we take instead?

Owen: Well, I was chewing the fat with Amy this morning, and she said that the

economics course she signed up for is supposed to be pretty easy

Leah: Really? I’ve heard through the grapevine that economics is one of the

hardest subjects taught at our school

Owen: Never mind then I want to take something that’s not too challenging

Leah: Rumor has it that the medieval literature class isn’t that tough.

Owen: Maybe not, but it sure sounds boring

Leah: OK How about we find some older students to dish the dirt on other

classes we can take? They’ll have a better idea than people in our year.Owen: Great idea

EXPRESSION PRACTICE

B True, False, or Unknown

Listen to the audio and select if the statements are true (T), false (F), or unknown (U).

1 T ■ F ■ U ■ Ned had a firm opinion about who deserved to

make the team after tryouts.

2 T ■ F ■ U ■ Leslie was originally Millie’s top pick for the team.

3 T ■ F ■ U ■ Ned has shared his assessments of Leslie’s and

Patrick’s abilities with the rest of the team.

4 T ■ F ■ U ■ It is likely that Millie will choose someone other than

Leslie or Patrick.

5 T ■ F ■ U ■ Ned is worried about other team members getting

involved in the decision-making process.

6 T ■ F ■ U ■ Ned unwillingly shares his views about Patrick with

EXPRESSION PRACTICE

Audio Transcripts:

Millie: Ned, we need to decide who we want to join our soccer team today

Ned: I know, Millie It’s so hard because everyone did well at tryouts! I keep flip

flopping on my choices.

Millie: Me, too! At first, I wanted Leslie because she’s really talented, but then I

did a 180 and wanted Patrick because he’s so fun to be around

Ned: Let me give you my two cents about those two prospective team

members Leslie is very fast, but I don’t think she’s much of a team player And Patrick is really nice and gets along well with everyone, but he’s not the greatest at scoring goals

Millie: I agree, but I do believe they are our best two options I don’t think I’ll

have a change of heart about that.

Ned: I guess we’ll have to pick one of them, then I’m afraid that waiting too

long to make a decision will cause other people to start sticking their

noses into this Then it will take ages before we’ll have a new team

member!

Millie: That’s a good point So, let’s go with Patrick I’d rather have someone with

a good attitude

Ned: You’re the team captain, so I’ll go along with whatever you decide

However, I do want to say my piece first Since Patrick is not as skilled as

the others, be aware that some players could resent your choice

Millie: I know that’s true, but I still think Patrick should get the spot