In fact, anything that uses energy derived from fossil fuels increases greenhouse gas emissions.. These fuels were formed millions of years ago from plants and animals that died and
Trang 1Outer Space
English Toolkit 1 - Natural Sciences
Did you know that the computer you are using
is contributing to global warming? So are the
lights in the room and the hot water that you
used for your last shower In fact, anything that
uses energy derived from fossil fuels increases
greenhouse gas emissions.
But what are fossil fuels? These fuels were
formed millions of years ago from plants and
animals that died and disintegrated under tons
of soil and rock These remains, along with
hardened bone fragments from the prehistoric
animals, are called fossils.
After food, fossil fuel is humanity’s most
important source of energy There are three
major fuels: coal, oil and natural gas Coal
is used primarily to produce electricity Oil
enables us to use means of transport Natural
gas is mainly used to produce heat, for
industrial processes and, in some countries,
it is used as fuel as well Together, fossil fuels
provide more than 85% of the energy used by
humankind today
Unfortunately, the reserves are not limitless
Scientists predict that within the next two centuries we will run out of those valuable energy sources This means that we need to find renewable energy, i.e energy that can
be used over and over again and causes less pollution Where can we get this energy? From the sun, wind, water, and also from trees, plants and even from rubbish.
Clean energy
Activities
1 Match these statements with the corresponding paragraphs in the text.
a Fossil fuels exhaustion by the 22nd century
b The importance and use of fossil fuels
c How we contribute to the greenhouse effect in our daily activities
d The origin of fossil fuels
1
2
3
4
Trang 22 AModule
English Toolkit 1 - Natural Sciences
2 Answer these questions.
a What are fossil fuels? Which are the most important types?
b What are they used for?
4 Read the text again and match the questions and answers.
3 State if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F).
a Most of the energy the world uses comes from fossil fuels
b Millions of years must go by to have fossil fuels
c Non-renewable energy can be replaced as we use it
d Fossil fuel energy is renewable
a Can you mention some elements that
are contributing to global warming?
b Do most cars emit greenhouse gases?
c What are fossil fuels?
d Which is the first source of energy for
human beings?
e How many major fossil fuels are there?
f What is natural gas mainly used for?
1 Yes, they do
2 Food
3 Heating and industrial processes.
4 These are fuels formed millions of years
ago from dead plants and animals
5 Computers, lights in a room, hot water
and so on
6 There are three: coal, oil and natural gas.
5 Write a caption that illustrate the ideas in the activity
above for these pictures.
6 Group work Choose:
a Find out more information about the formation of fossil fuels and how
they are obtained and used Write a report
b Find out about the changes in the consumption of fossil fuels around
the world one hundred years ago and in the present Illustrate the results
with a pie chart Write a report What conclusion can you reach?
c Research into the reserves of fossil fuels in your country Locate them on
a map