English New Farms on the Horizon [1] Farming was once the economic backbone of t
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English
New Farms on the Horizon
[1] Farming was once the economic backbone of the nation. Today, new farms are popping up across America. Rather than growing wheat or corn, however, these farms are harvesting the wind. With skyrocketing fuel prices and the rising concern for conservation, scientists are turning to the wind to find new ways to power our planet.
Wind Machines in History
[2] The inspiration to harness the wind is not new. Egyptians learned to capture the power of the wind over 5,000 years ago, when they used sails to carry their ships on the Nile River. Persia, which is modern-day Iran, later modified the concept of the sail. Rather than using the wind to sail ships, the sail was fashioned into a rudimentary paddle, and thus the first windmill was born. Persians used these archaic windmills to grind grain.
[3] A thousand years later, the Persian windmill was adapted by Europeans. The ancient technique was modified, and the windmills that are now icons of Holland became popular. The improved version included propeller-like paddles or blades. The Dutch used the windmills to mill grain, just as the Persians had, but their version of the windmill was also implemented to help control flooding. Farmers constantly battled flooding of the fertile soil in the lowlands, and so windmills were used to pump the unwanted water from the farmland back into canals and rivers.
Modern Wind Machines
[4] Today's windmills lack the picturesque or quaint appearance of the windmills of Holland. Rather, their appearance can better be described as utilitarian. The four paddles in the Dutch windmill have been reduced to two or three sleek fiberglass blades resembling the propeller of an airplane. These modern wind machines, known as turbines, vary greatly in size and can range from 50 feet wide to the size of a football field. The propellers are mounted on the top of a tower that stands an average 300 feet above the ground. The larger the propellers, the more wind the turbine can capture, and the more electricity the machine can create.
[5] To understand how a modern turbine works, it can be compared to a fan. While a fan blows air away from the blades, turbines are designed to draw the air into the machine. The propellers move around a rotor that is connected to a generator, which produces the electricity.
Disadvantages of Wind Machines
[6] The greatest disadvantage of the modern wind machine lies in the wind itself. The energy that comes from the wind cannot be stored without using alternate power sources. As a result, wind energy is less dependable than other energy sources. Because the wind is unpredictable, the amount of wind may not always be sufficient to meet the energy demands of an area.
[7] Wind farms are generally located in remote locations where skyscrapers and other structures do not interfere with the wind flow. Thus, the energy must be transported to densely populated regions that have heavier power demands.
[8] Using wind turbines may be more environmentally friendly than burning fossil fuels; however, these giant propellers perched high above the ground can be hazardous to birds. While scientists work to make the turbines safer for birds, thousands still die each year. As the need for renewable energy sources increases across the nation, the number of wind farms is expected to increase dramatically. Researchers are concerned about the cumulative impact these farms will have on bird populations.
Advantages of Wind Machines
[9] Wind energy is a renewable and clean energy source. No fuels are burned, and no pollution is created. Wind energy is a form of solar energy. So, as the sun warms the air over the earth, the air expands and rises, and as the air rises, cooler air moves in to replace it. Thus, wind is created. While the wind may be intermittent, it will only disappear if the sun stops shining. Nearly 20 states have implemented laws requiring that a portion of the state's energy come from a renewable source such as wind energy.
[10] Farmers benefit from new wind farms. Because rural areas are the most suitable locations for wind farms, farmers and ranchers rent portions of their land for wind farming. The towers require little ground space, so farmers can maintain their own agricultural operations at the same time.
The Future of Wind Machines
[11] Wind energy still only provides a small amount of the nation's power. However, new wind farms are being developed throughout the United States. More than 25 states currently benefit from the power of the wind with California, Texas, and Minnesota leading the way. Wind is a proven renewable power source, and as history has demonstrated, science will continue its search to find the most economically and environmentally efficient way to harness this energy.
After reading this passage, Sonia decides she wants to do further research on wind farms. Which question will Sonia MOST LIKELY ask in order to generate research relevant to the passage?
English
New Farms on the Horizon
[1] Farming was once the economic backbone of the nation. Today, new farms are popping up across America. Rather than growing wheat or corn, however, these farms are harvesting the wind. With skyrocketing fuel prices and the rising concern for conservation, scientists are turning to the wind to find new ways to power our planet.
Wind Machines in History
[2] The inspiration to harness the wind is not new. Egyptians learned to capture the power of the wind over 5,000 years ago, when they used sails to carry their ships on the Nile River. Persia, which is modern-day Iran, later modified the concept of the sail. Rather than using the wind to sail ships, the sail was fashioned into a rudimentary paddle, and thus the first windmill was born. Persians used these archaic windmills to grind grain.
[3] A thousand years later, the Persian windmill was adapted by Europeans. The ancient technique was modified, and the windmills that are now icons of Holland became popular. The improved version included propeller-like paddles or blades. The Dutch used the windmills to mill grain, just as the Persians had, but their version of the windmill was also implemented to help control flooding. Farmers constantly battled flooding of the fertile soil in the lowlands, and so windmills were used to pump the unwanted water from the farmland back into canals and rivers.
Modern Wind Machines
[4] Today's windmills lack the picturesque or quaint appearance of the windmills of Holland. Rather, their appearance can better be described as utilitarian. The four paddles in the Dutch windmill have been reduced to two or three sleek fiberglass blades resembling the propeller of an airplane. These modern wind machines, known as turbines, vary greatly in size and can range from 50 feet wide to the size of a football field. The propellers are mounted on the top of a tower that stands an average 300 feet above the ground. The larger the propellers, the more wind the turbine can capture, and the more electricity the machine can create.
[5] To understand how a modern turbine works, it can be compared to a fan. While a fan blows air away from the blades, turbines are designed to draw the air into the machine. The propellers move around a rotor that is connected to a generator, which produces the electricity.
Disadvantages of Wind Machines
[6] The greatest disadvantage of the modern wind machine lies in the wind itself. The energy that comes from the wind cannot be stored without using alternate power sources. As a result, wind energy is less dependable than other energy sources. Because the wind is unpredictable, the amount of wind may not always be sufficient to meet the energy demands of an area.
[7] Wind farms are generally located in remote locations where skyscrapers and other structures do not interfere with the wind flow. Thus, the energy must be transported to densely populated regions that have heavier power demands.
[8] Using wind turbines may be more environmentally friendly than burning fossil fuels; however, these giant propellers perched high above the ground can be hazardous to birds. While scientists work to make the turbines safer for birds, thousands still die each year. As the need for renewable energy sources increases across the nation, the number of wind farms is expected to increase dramatically. Researchers are concerned about the cumulative impact these farms will have on bird populations.
Advantages of Wind Machines
[9] Wind energy is a renewable and clean energy source. No fuels are burned, and no pollution is created. Wind energy is a form of solar energy. So, as the sun warms the air over the earth, the air expands and rises, and as the air rises, cooler air moves in to replace it. Thus, wind is created. While the wind may be intermittent, it will only disappear if the sun stops shining. Nearly 20 states have implemented laws requiring that a portion of the state's energy come from a renewable source such as wind energy.
[10] Farmers benefit from new wind farms. Because rural areas are the most suitable locations for wind farms, farmers and ranchers rent portions of their land for wind farming. The towers require little ground space, so farmers can maintain their own agricultural operations at the same time.
The Future of Wind Machines
[11] Wind energy still only provides a small amount of the nation's power. However, new wind farms are being developed throughout the United States. More than 25 states currently benefit from the power of the wind with California, Texas, and Minnesota leading the way. Wind is a proven renewable power source, and as history has demonstrated, science will continue its search to find the most economically and environmentally efficient way to harness this energy.
Explanation / Answer
A.
Who was the first inventor of the windmill in Egypt?
Hero Alexandria invented wind mill. Alexandria was a mathematician and engineer lived in Alexandia city in Roman Egypt. Egyptians used wind energy to sail ships in Mediterranean sea and Nile river 5000 years ago
B.
How can the wind farm concept be adapted for urban areas?
Wind power is a pollution free cheap source of renewable energy. Tall buildings, bridges, Airports etc are used for wind power generation in Urban areas. The wind speed on top of the towers is high and modern wind turbines can be used to utilise the available wind energy in cities to generate power.
C.
Who are the people opposed to energy generated by wind?
The people opposing wind power generation are not fully aware of its advantages. They oppose as the widn mills generate some noise, they are changing the land scape, the power generation is not constant because wind speed changes randomly and the fluctuations in wind generation may harm the distribution power grid. But these are not the major problems can be solved by modern techniques.
D.
How much will consumers save by using energy generated by wind?
The studies in US shows that due to wind power people are saving $ 65 to $ 200 per year on their annual electricity bills. Most of the American households would gladly see a significant reduction in their electricity spending ranging up to $1,000 per year.
A.
Who was the first inventor of the windmill in Egypt?
Hero Alexandria invented wind mill. Alexandria was a mathematician and engineer lived in Alexandia city in Roman Egypt. Egyptians used wind energy to sail ships in Mediterranean sea and Nile river 5000 years ago
B.
How can the wind farm concept be adapted for urban areas?
Wind power is a pollution free cheap source of renewable energy. Tall buildings, bridges, Airports etc are used for wind power generation in Urban areas. The wind speed on top of the towers is high and modern wind turbines can be used to utilise the available wind energy in cities to generate power.
C.
Who are the people opposed to energy generated by wind?
The people opposing wind power generation are not fully aware of its advantages. They oppose as the widn mills generate some noise, they are changing the land scape, the power generation is not constant because wind speed changes randomly and the fluctuations in wind generation may harm the distribution power grid. But these are not the major problems can be solved by modern techniques.
D.
How much will consumers save by using energy generated by wind?
The studies in US shows that due to wind power people are saving $ 65 to $ 200 per year on their annual electricity bills. Most of the American households would gladly see a significant reduction in their electricity spending ranging up to $1,000 per year.
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