Listening Practice Question#3

Renewable Energy, Environmental Science, Energy Policy, Technological Innovation, Geography

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Questions

Scenario:

A professor is giving a lecture on the topic of renewable energy sources.

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Questions:

1. What is the main topic of the professor’s lecture?
   • (A) The economic impact of fossil fuels
   • (B) The advantages and challenges of renewable energy sources
   • (C) The history of energy production
   • (D) The environmental effects of deforestation
2. Which renewable energy source is described as having the advantage of being abundant but with variable efficiency?
   • (A) Wind energy
   • (B) Geothermal energy
   • (C) Solar energy
   • (D) Hydroelectric energy
3. What is one of the challenges associated with wind energy mentioned in the lecture?
   • (A) High levels of air pollution
   • (B) Difficulty in predicting wind patterns
   • (C) High cost of maintenance
   • (D) Lack of suitable locations for turbines
4. Why is geothermal energy considered reliable according to the professor?
   • (A) It does not depend on weather conditions.
   • (B) It is available in all regions of the world.
   • (C) It is the most cost-effective renewable energy source.
   • (D) It requires minimal technological innovation.

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Transcripts

Listening Script:

Professor:
Good morning, everyone. Today, we’re going to talk about renewable energy sources, focusing on solar, wind, and geothermal energy. These are crucial topics as we look for alternatives to fossil fuels.

Let’s start with solar energy. Solar power is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. It harnesses energy from the sun using photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity. One of the biggest advantages of solar energy is its abundance—every hour, the sun provides more energy to Earth than the entire world uses in a year. However, there are challenges to its widespread adoption. The efficiency of solar panels can be affected by weather conditions and the amount of sunlight a location receives. Additionally, the production and installation of solar panels can be costly, though prices have been decreasing steadily over the past decade.

Next, let’s consider wind energy. Wind power involves using turbines to capture kinetic energy from the wind and convert it into electricity. Wind farms, which consist of multiple turbines, can be located on land or offshore. Offshore wind farms are particularly effective because wind speeds tend to be higher over the ocean. However, like solar energy, wind power also faces challenges. Wind patterns are unpredictable, and not all locations are suitable for wind farms. Moreover, the turbines themselves can be a source of controversy, as they can impact local wildlife, particularly birds and bats, and some people consider them to be an eyesore on the landscape.

Finally, let’s discuss geothermal energy. This type of energy harnesses heat from beneath the Earth’s surface. Geothermal plants typically use steam produced by this heat to drive turbines and generate electricity. Geothermal energy has the advantage of being reliable and consistent, unlike solar and wind, which are dependent on weather conditions. However, geothermal energy is only viable in regions with significant tectonic activity, such as Iceland, New Zealand, and parts of the United States. In addition, drilling into the Earth to access geothermal energy can be expensive and may cause minor seismic activity.

In summary, while renewable energy sources offer great potential for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, each comes with its own set of challenges. Continued research and technological innovation are essential to overcoming these obstacles and making renewable energy more accessible and efficient.

Questions and Answers

1. What is the main topic of the professor’s lecture?
   • Answer: (B) The advantages and challenges of renewable energy sources.
   • Explanation: The professor discusses three types of renewable energy—solar, wind, and geothermal—focusing on both their benefits and the challenges associated with each. This makes the main topic of the lecture the advantages and challenges of renewable energy sources.
2. Which renewable energy source is described as having the advantage of being abundant but with variable efficiency?
   • Answer: (C) Solar energy.
   • Explanation: The professor mentions that solar energy is abundant because the sun provides more energy to Earth in an hour than the world uses in a year. However, the efficiency of solar panels can vary depending on weather conditions and sunlight availability, making solar energy the correct answer.
3. What is one of the challenges associated with wind energy mentioned in the lecture?
   • Answer: (B) Difficulty in predicting wind patterns.
   • Explanation: The professor notes that wind patterns are unpredictable, which is a challenge for wind energy. This unpredictability affects the consistency of energy production from wind turbines.
4. Why is geothermal energy considered reliable according to the professor?
   • Answer: (A) It does not depend on weather conditions.
   • Explanation: The professor explains that geothermal energy is reliable because, unlike solar and wind energy, it does not depend on weather conditions. This makes geothermal energy a consistent source of power.