Lesson 01:

Renewable Energy: Powering the Future

sources. These energy forms offer a promising solution to our ever-growing energy

needs while significantly reducing the environmental impact compared to traditional

fossil fuels. By harnessing natural elements such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass,

and the Earth’s heat, renewable energy provides a clean, virtually unlimited supply of

power.

Solar power, one of the most prominent renewable energy sources, utilizes photo-

voltaic cells in solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity. This process involves

the absorption of sunlight, which excites electrons, creating an electrical current. Wind

energy, another crucial player, harnesses the kinetic energy of the wind by spinning tur-

bines that generate electricity. Hydropower relies on the gravitational force of flowing

water, while biomass energy utilizes organic materials like wood or agricultural waste

to produce energy. Geothermal power taps into the Earth’s internal heat to generate

electricity.

These renewable sources boast significant advantages in sustainability and environ-

mental impact, yet they also face challenges. Factors like geographical suitability, in-

termittency, initial setup costs, and infrastructure requirements influence the adoption

and efficiency of these energy sources.

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I- Comprehension Questions:

1. What advantages do renewable energy sources have over traditional fossil fuels?

• Answer: Renewable energy sources are cleaner, more sustainable, and have a

reduced environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels.

2. How does solar power generate electricity?

• Answer: Solar power uses photovoltaic cells in solar panels to convert sunlight

into electricity through the excitation of electrons.

3. What is the primary method by which wind energy generates electricity?

• Answer: Wind energy is produced by spinning turbines that capture the kinetic

energy of the wind to generate electricity.

4. Name one form of renewable energy that relies on the gravitational force of flowing

water. What are some criticisms associated with this energy source?

• Answer: Hydropower relies on the gravitational force of flowing water. Criti-

cisms include environmental impacts, such as habitat disruption and potential

community displacement.

5. What sets geothermal energy apart from other renewable sources?

• Answer: Geothermal energy utilizes the Earth’s internal heat to generate elec-

tricity, making it more constant and less dependent on weather conditions.

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II- Grammar questions:

1. Identify and explain the verb tense used in the sentence, "Renewable energy stands

as a beacon of hope in our pursuit of sustainable power sources."

• Answer: The verb tense used in the sentence is the present tense. It emphasizes

a general truth or fact.

2. Rewrite the sentence, "Factors like geographical suitability, intermittency, initial

setup costs, and infrastructure requirements influence the adoption and efficiency

of these energy sources," in the passive voice.

• Answer: "The adoption and efficiency of these energy sources are influenced

by factors like geographical suitability, intermittency, initial setup costs, and

infrastructure requirements."

3. Change the sentence, "These renewable sources boast significant advantages in sus-

tainability and environmental impact, yet they also face challenges," into a ques-

tion.

• Answer: "Do these renewable sources boast significant advantages in sustain-

ability and environmental impact, while also facing challenges?"

4. Identify the word that serves as a comparative form in the sentence, "Renewable

energy offers a promising solution to our ever-growing energy needs while signifi-

cantly reducing the environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuels."

• Answer: "Significantly" serves as the comparative form (comparative degree of

the adjective "significant").

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 5. Explain the difference between "its" and "it’s" and use each in a sentence.

• Answer: "Its" is a possessive form, used to show ownership. For example: "The

car lost its wheel." "It’s" is a contraction of "it is." For example: "It’s a beautiful

day," meaning "It is a beautiful day."

6. Translate these words from English to French: Renewable energy- Earth’s heat-

electrical current- Hydropower- electricity- photovoltaic cells- solar panels.

• Answer: Énergie renouvelable – Chaleur terrestre – Courant électrique – Hy-

droélectricité – Électricité – Cellules photovoltaïques – Panneaux solaires.

III- Writing prompt:

"Write an essay discussing the potential of one specific form of renewable energy in

replacing traditional fossil fuels. Explore its advantages, challenges, and its impact

on the environment and society. Support your argument with research and real-life

examples."

IV- Grammar rules:

* The present simple is used:

• For general truths

• For Daily routine and habits

• For Future actions related to timetables and programs.

• To refer to the plot of the book, film, TV program, etc.

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 • In sports commentaries.

• In exclamatory sentences with Here...and There.

We form the present tense using the base form of the infinitive (without the to).

In general, in the third person, we add ’S’ in the third person.

Example:

I/You/We/They (speak / learn) English at home.

He/She/It (speaks / learns) English at home.

The spelling of the verb in the third person differs depending on the ending of that verb:

1. For verbs that end in -o, -ch, -sh, -ss, -x, or -z we add -es in the third person.

• go – goes

• catch – catches

• wash – washes

• fix – fixes

• buzz – buzzes

2. For verbs that end in a consonant + y, we remove the y and add -ies.

• marry – marries

• study – studies

• carry – carries

• worry – worries

NOTE: For verbs that end in a vowel + y, we just add -s.

* The passive voice:

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Passive voice is used when the subject is the recipient of the action.

Example: Three points were scored by one player.

The passive voice requires a "double verb" and will always consist of a form of the verb

"to be" and the past participle (usually the "en/ed/t" form) of another verb. In short, it

consists of the verb to be.

From active voice to passive voice:

1. We change the places between the subject and the object.

2. We put the verb "to be" in the time of the main verb in the active sentence, followed

by the past participle of the main verb in the active sentence.

3. We put "by" after the past participle of the main verb.

Example:

Active: John baked the bread.

Passive: The bread was baked by John.

Dr. HAMBLI N

e-mail: [email protected]