Reading Assessment

2204-sec. 3
90 minutes/one point each
Q 1: Read the following text and then answer the questions that follow:
1. The next few decades will see great changes in the way energy is supplied and
used.  In some major oil producing nations, 'peak oil' has already been reached, and
there are increasing fears of global warming.  Consequently, many countries are
focusing on the switch to a low carbon economy. This transition will lead to major
changes in the supply and use of electricity.  [A] Firstly, there will be an increase in
overall demand, as consumers switch from oil and gas to electricity to power their
homes and vehicles.  [B] Secondly, there will be an increase in power generation,
not only in terms of how much is generated, but also how it is generated, as there is
growing electricity generation from renewable sources. [C] To meet these
challenges, countries are investing in Smart Grid technology.  [D] This system aims
to provide the electricity industry with a better understanding of power generation
and demand, and to use this information to create a more efficient power network.
2. Smart Grid technology basically involves the application of a computer system to
the electricity network.  The computer system can be used to collect information
about supply and demand and improve engineer's ability to manage the system. 
With better information about electricity demand, the network will be able to
increase the amount of electricity delivered per unit generated, leading to potential
reductions in fuel needs and carbon emissions.  Moreover, the computer system will
assist in reducing operational and maintenance costs.
3. Smart Grid technology offers benefits to the consumer too.  They will be able to
collect real-time information on their energy use for each appliance.  Varying tariffs
throughout the day will give customers the incentive to use appliances at times when
supply greatly exceeds demand, leading to great reductions in bills.  For example,
they may use their washing machines at night.  Smart meters can also be connected
to the internet or telephone system, allowing customers to switch appliances on or
off remotely.  Furthermore, if houses are fitted with the apparatus to generate their
own power, appliances can be set to run directly from the on-site power source, and
any excess can be sold to the grid.
4. With these changes comes a range of challenges.  The first involves managing the
supply and demand.  Sources of renewable energy, such as wind, wave and solar,
are notoriously unpredictable, and nuclear power, which is also set to increase as
nations switch to alternative energy sources, is inflexible.  With oil and gas, it is
relatively simple to increase the supply of energy to match the increasing demand
during peak times of the day or year.  With alternative sources, this is far more
difficult, and may lead to blackouts or system collapse.  Potential solutions include
 investigating new and efficient ways to store energy and encouraging consumers to
use electricity at off-peak times.
5. A second problem is the fact that many renewable power generation sources are
located in remote areas, such as windy uplands and coastal regions, where there is
currently a lack of electrical infrastructure.  New infrastructures therefore must be
built.  Thankfully, with improved smart technology, this can be done more
efficiently by reducing the reinforcement or construction costs.

6. Although Smart Technology is still in its infancy, pilot schemes to promote and test
it are already underway.  Consumers are currently testing the new smart meters
which can be used in their homes to manage electricity use.  There are also a
number of demonstrations being planned to show how the smart technology could
practically work, and trials are in place to test the new electrical infrastructure.  It is
likely that technology will be added in 'layers', starting with 'quick win' methods
which will provide initial carbon savings, to be followed by more advanced systems
at a later date.  Cities are prime candidates for investment into smart energy, due to
the high population density and high energy use.  It is here where Smart Technology
is likely to be promoted first, utilizing a range of sustainable power sources,
transport solutions and an infrastructure for charging electrically powered vehicles. 
The infrastructure is already changing fast.  By the year 2050, changes in the energy
supply will have transformed our homes, our roads and our behavior.

1.   Where in paragraph 1 can the following sentence be placed?

“There is also likely more electricity generation centres, as households and

communities take up the opportunity to install photovoltaic cells and small scale wind
turbines.”

A B C D

 2.  Which of the following is NOT a benefit of Smart Grid technology to consumers?

A. It can reduce their electricity bills.

B. It can tell them how much energy each appliance is using.
C. It can allow them to turn appliances on and off when they are not at home.
D. It can reduce the amount of energy needed to power appliances.

3.   According to paragraph 4, what is the problem with using renewable sources of

power?
A. They do not provide much energy.
B. They often cause system failure and blackouts.
C. They do not supply a continuous flow of energy.
D. They can't be used at off-peak times.
4.   In paragraph 6, what can be inferred about cities in the future?

A. More people will be living in cities in the future than nowadays.

B. People in cities will be using cars and buses powered by electricity.
C. All buildings will generate their own electricity.
D. Smart Grid technology will only be available in cities.

5.   The word 'remote' in paragraph 5 could be best replaced by:

A. isolated B. crowded C. attractive D. alone

6.    What is the main idea of the final paragraph? (paragraph 6).

A. To describe who will benefit from Smart Grid technology first.
B. To outline the advantages of Smart Grid technology.
C. To summarize the main ideas in the previous paragraphs.
D. To describe how, where and when Smart Technology will be introduced.

7.   In paragraph 6, what can be inferred about the introduction of Smart Grid
Technology?
A. The technologies which produce most benefits will be introduced first.
B. The cheapest technologies will be introduced first.
C. The technologies which are most difficult to put into place will be introduced first.
D. Technologically advanced systems will be introduced first.

8-10 Which THREE of the aspects below are answered in the passage?

A. How consumers are likely to respond to Smart Grid technology.

B. The problems which will have to be overcome in switching to Smart Grid
technology.
C. The reasons why Smart Grid technology will be needed in the future.
D. A comparison between Smart Grid technology and the present electrical
distribution system.
E. The ways Smart Grid technology will affect the way consumers use energy.
F. An analysis of the costs and benefits of Smart Grid technology.
Q 2: Learned Vocabulary: Match the words to the definitions (a–j).
biofuel geothermal energy fossil fuels carbon footprint hydroelectricity
solar energy wind turbine carbon neutral pollution motorized transport

11. The use of the power of the sun to create electricity __________
12. A measurement of how much carbon dioxide someone produces in their everyday life (for
example, by driving, heating their home, etc.) ________________
13. Vehicles such as cars, planes, etc._____________________
14. Coal, gas or oil, formed underground and made from ancient plants or animals
__________________
15. Power created from natural heat sources below the ground __________________
16. A large machine that creates electricity from moving air___________________
17. Power taken from moving water sources, such as rivers_____________________
18. Fuel made from living things or their waste_____________________
19. Doing things to reduce your carbon dioxide output by the same amount as you produce it (e.g.
by planting trees) _________________________
20. Damage caused to the air, water, etc. by harmful substances________________

Q 3: Complete the text using words in the table.

sculptures calligraphy banal cynical mechanical fine creative

acknowledge aesthetic photography

The 21 _______________ arts are often thought of as paintings or 22 ___________ which are
admired for their beauty, and have no practical use. In other words, we buy this kind of art because
of its 23 _________________ value, and not because it has any functional use. We 24
____________ the 25 _______________ energy and skill which has gone into making it.
However, can other things be considered as ‘art’? What about 26 __________________, for
example – the art of producing beautiful writing? Many ancient Japanese and Chinese texts
originally had a functional purpose, but are now considered highly prized works of art. Or 27
_______________ which relies on a 28 ________________ device such as a camera really be
called ‘art’? Of course, it is common to disagree about what ‘art’ is. If we think of Marcel
Duchamp’s Bicycle Wheel (which is simply a bicycle wheel placed on a chair) it is easy to be 29
____________ and say that the work is simply an ordinary, 30 __________________object. It’s
just a bicycle wheel, and therefore not really art. But then again, the artist has used an ordinary
bicycle wheel to make us think about what art is. If this happens, he or she has done their job well.

Q 4: Language Development: Choose the correct option (a-d) to complete the sentences.
31. Solar power is still not capable of generating large amounts of electricity._____________,
most energy companies believe it will be important in the near future.
A. Therefore B. Nevertheless C. What’s more D. In addition
32. Coal and oil are very harmful to the environment, ______________ we need to invest in
alternative sources of energy.
A. so B. in addition C. moreover D. on the other hand
33. Nuclear power is a good source of cheap electricity._______________, it can be extremely
dangerous when there is an accident.
A. Therefore B. So C. As a result D. On the other hand
34. We want to use less electricity in our office._______________, we would like you to switch
off the lights when you leave a room.
A. In addition B. Therefore C. Moreover D. Nevertheless
35. Wind power can be one of the cheapest sources of renewable
energy._______________________, it is not at all harmful to the environment.
A. Therefore B. On the other hand C. Furthermore D. As a result

Q 5: Choose the correct relative pronoun.

36. As far as I’m aware, there are few people who/which can live without electricity.
37. It wasn’t Tokyo, but Sendai which/where was hit by the tsunami.
38. I studied Environmental Science which/when I was at university.
39. It is not desirable to build wind turbines in areas where/which large amounts of people live.
40. Several thousand people, whose/who homes were near the new dam, had to be relocated.