The Reading / Listening - Clean Energy - Level 6

Denmark has come up with a practical idea to help its clean energy needs. The Scandinavian nation intends to build an artificial island 80km off its western coast in the North Sea. It is expected to be in full operation by 2033. It hopes the ambitious project will end Denmark's reliance on fossil fuels within the next three decades. Denmark is currently Europe's largest oil-producing country, so a move towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide a huge boost for its green credentials. Jacob Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, described the project as, "a cornerstone in the green transition which will help facilitate the reduction of Danish CO2 emissions".

The island will be roughly the size of 18 football fields. It is projected to cost around $34 billion to construct. Much of the energy generated will come from wind farms. These will produce enough electricity to power three million households in Denmark and help make the country carbon neutral. The professor explained that the island had enormous potential to create a greener, cleaner Europe. He said: "In the North Sea, we have tremendous potential for offshore wind, about 180 giga-watts in total. That means we can actually shut down all European coal-fired power plants." Professor Ostergaard added: "It's a Danish initiative, but this, at least with time, is going to be an international effort."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Clean Energy - Level 4  or  Clean Energy - Level 5

Sources
  • https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/denmark-jacob-ostergaard-man-made-energy-island-news
  • https://bgr.com/2021/02/09/science-news-clean-energy-island-denmark/
  • https://www.slashgear.com/denmark-reveals-audacious-artificial-energy-island-to-replace-gas-and-oil-05658318/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CLEAN ENERGY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about clean energy. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       practical idea / energy / artificial / island / ambitious / fossil fuels / oil production /
       football fields / wind farms / electricity / potential / offshore / coal / international
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WIND POWER: Students A strongly believe wind power is the best form of clean energy; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FUELS: What do you know about these fuels? How good are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

How Good They Are

Oil

 

 

Coal

 

 

Natural Gas

 

 

Nuclear

 

 

Biofuel

 

 

Wood

 

 

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. ISLAND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "island". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ENERGY: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Wind farms
  • Solar
  • Tidal power
  • Biofuels
  • Geothermal
  • Hydropower
  • Nuclear
  • Fossil fuels

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. come up with a. Having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.
      2. practical b. Has a course of action as one's purpose or objective; plan.
      3. intends c. Of an idea, plan, or method likely to succeed or be effective in real circumstances.
      4. artificial d. Make an action or process easy or easier.
      5. ambitious e. Think of a new idea.
      6. boost f. Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural.
      7. facilitate g. An increase or improvement.

    Paragraph 2

      8. projected h. Having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.
      9. household i. Very great in amount, scale, or intensity.
      10. carbon neutral j. A unit of electrical power.
      11. potential k. A home and its occupants regarded as a unit.
      12. watt l. An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation.
      13. tremendous m. Estimated or forecast something on the basis of present trends.
      14. initiative n. Making no net release of CO2 to the atmosphere, especially through offsetting CO2 emissions by planting trees.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Denmark will build an artificial energy island 80k long.     T / F
  2. Denmark's artificial island will be up and running by 2023.     T / F
  3. Denmark hopes to end its reliance on fossil fuels within three decades.    T / F
  4. The artificial island will cost around $34 billion.     T / F
  5. The island will be able to provide energy for three million homes.     T / F
  6. A professor said the island has the potential to create a greener world.    T / F
  7. A professor said coal-fired power plants could shut down in Europe.     T / F
  8. A professor said the island is a European effort.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. practical
  2. artificial
  3. ambitious
  4. reliance
  5. move
  6. construct
  7. potential
  8. tremendous
  9. initiative
  10. effort
  1. endeavour
  2. dependence
  3. possibility
  4. challenging
  5. huge
  6. realistic
  7. plan
  8. shift
  9. manufactured
  10. erect

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Denmark has come
  2. 80km off
  3. end Denmark's reliance
  4. a move towards 100 per cent
  5. facilitate the reduction of Danish
  6. roughly the size of
  7. wind
  8. make the country carbon
  9. tremendous potential for offshore
  10. coal-fired power
  1. neutral
  2. clean energy
  3. plants
  4. 18 football fields
  5. wind
  6. up with a practical idea
  7. CO2 emissions
  8. its western coast
  9. farms
  10. on fossil fuels

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
intends
facilitate
ambitious
boost
cornerstone
coast
practical
reliance

Denmark has come up with a (1) _____________________ idea to help its clean energy needs. The Scandinavian nation (2) _____________________ to build an artificial island 80km off its western (3) _____________________ in the North Sea. It is expected to be in full operation by 2033. It hopes the (4) _____________________ project will end Denmark's (5) _____________________ on fossil fuels within the next three decades. Denmark is currently Europe's largest oil-producing country, so a move towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide a huge (6) _____________________ for its green credentials. Jacob Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, described the project as, "a (7) _____________________ in the green transition which will help (8) _____________________ the reduction of Danish CO2 emissions".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
effort
roughly
potential
plants
households
tremendous
construct
neutral

The island will be (9) _____________________ the size of 18 football fields. It is projected to cost around $34 billion to (10) _____________________. Much of the energy generated will come from wind farms. These will produce enough electricity to power three million (11) _____________________ in Denmark and help make the country carbon (12) _____________________. The professor explained that the island had enormous (13) _____________________ to create a greener, cleaner Europe. He said: "In the North Sea, we have (14) _____________________ potential for offshore wind, about 180 giga-watts in total. That means we can actually shut down all European coal-fired power (15) _____________________." Professor Ostergaard added: "It's a Danish initiative, but this, at least with time, is going to be an international (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Denmark has come up with a practical idea to help its ______
     a.  clean energy needy
     b.  clean energy needs
     c.  clean energy needing
     d.  clean energy necessary
2)  The Scandinavian nation intends to build an artificial island 80km off ______
     a.  its western coats
     b.  its western caste
     c.  its western closet
     d.  its western coast
3)  100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide ______
     a.  a huge boost
     b.  a huge boast
     c.  a huge boots
     d.  a huge beast
4) Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, described the project ______
     a.  as a corners tone
     b.  as a corner store
     c.  as a corner stove
     d.  as a cornerstone
5)  the green transition which will help facilitate the reduction of ______
     a.  Danish CO2 emission
     b.  Danish CO2 emissions
     c.  Danish CO2 remissions
     d.  Danish CO2 remiss shuns

6)  The island will be roughly the size of ______
     a.  18 football fiefdoms
     b.  18 football patches
     c.  18 football fields
     d.  18 football zones
7)  It is projected to cost around $34 ______
     a.  billion to deconstruct
     b.  billion to construct
     c.  billion to constrict
     d.  billion to destruct
8)  These will produce enough electricity to power ______
     a.  three million home holds
     b.  three million house hold
     c.  three million house olds
     d.  three million households
9)  In the North Sea, we have tremendous potential ______
     a.  for offshore windy
     b.  for offshore winded
     c.  for offshore wind
     d.  for offshore winds
10)  That means we can actually shut down all European coal-______
     a.  fired power factories
     b.  fired power shrubs
     c.  fired power trees
     d.  fired power plants

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Denmark has come up with (1) ____________________ to help its clean energy needs. The Scandinavian nation (2) ____________________ an artificial island 80km off its western coast in the North Sea. It is expected to be in full operation by 2033. It hopes (3) ____________________ will end Denmark's reliance on fossil fuels within the next three decades. Denmark is currently Europe's largest oil-producing country, (4) ____________________ towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide a huge boost for (5) ____________________. Jacob Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, described the project as, "a cornerstone in the green transition which will (6) ____________________ reduction of Danish CO2 emissions".

The island will be (7) ____________________ of 18 football fields. It is projected to cost around $34 billion to construct. Much of the energy (8) ____________________ from wind farms. These will produce enough electricity to power three million households in Denmark and help make the country carbon neutral. The professor explained that the island had enormous (9) ____________________ a greener, cleaner Europe. He said: "In the North Sea, we have tremendous (10) ____________________ wind, about 180 giga-watts in total. That means we can actually shut down all European coal-(11) ____________________." Professor Ostergaard added: "It's a Danish initiative, but this, at (12) ____________________, is going to be an international effort."

Comprehension questions

  1. How far off the coast of Denmark will the artificial island be?
  2. When will the island be in full operation?
  3. What country is Europe's largest oil producer?
  4. What did a professor say the island would be a boost for?
  5. What will the island facilitate the reduction of?
  6. What does the article compare the size of the island to?
  7. Where will much of the island's energy come from?
  8. How many households will be powered by the artificial island?
  9. How many giga-watts will the island produce?
  10. What might the island shut down?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How far off the coast of Denmark will the artificial island be?
a) 90km
b) 70km
c) 80km
d) 60km
2) When will the island be in full operation?
a) 2033
b) 2023
c) 2032
d) 2028
3) What country is Europe's largest oil producer?
a) Spain
b) Norway
c) Scotland
d) Denmark
4) What did a professor say the island would be a boost for?
a) clean energy
b) Denmark's green credentials
c) air
d) the world
5) What will the island facilitate the reduction of?
a) jobs in oil
b) jobs in coal
c) Denmark's CO2 emissions
d) Denmark's GDP

6) What does the article compare the size of the island to?
a) a small desert
b) 18 football fields
c) Malta
d) a wind farm
7) Where will much of the island's energy come from?
a) solar power
b) tidal power
c) Norway
d) wind farms
8) How many households will be powered by the artificial island?
a) two million
b) three million
c) one million
d) four million
9) How many giga-watts will the North Sea produce?
a) 180
b) 160
c) 190
d) 200
10) What might the island shut down?
a) stores
b) oil refineries
c) gas stations
d) coal-fired power plants

Role play

Role  A – Wind Power
You think wind power is the best form of energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of energy. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): nuclear power, geothermal power or fossil fuels.

Role  B – Nuclear Power
You think nuclear power is the best form of energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of energy. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): wind power, geothermal power or fossil fuels.

Role  C – Geothermal Power
You think geothermal power is the best form of energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of energy. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): nuclear power, wind power or fossil fuels.

Role  D – Fossil Fuels
You think fossil fuels are the best form of energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms of energy. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): nuclear power, geothermal power or wind power.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'clean'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'energy'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • idea
    • coast
    • hopes
    • 100
    • boost
    • green
    • size
    • much
    • help
    • create
    • shut
    • effort

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Clean Energy

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'clean'?
    3. What do you think of clean energy?
    4. How clean is the energy you use?
    5. What do you think of the artificial clean-energy island?
    6. What clean energies does your country have?
    7. What do you think of fossil fuels?
    8. What are the best clean energies?
    9. How damaging is the use of oil?
    10. What do you do to reduce your CO2 emissions?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'energy'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of wind farms?
    5. How much energy does your household produce?
    6. How would carbon neutrality change the world?
    7. What do you think of coal?
    8. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    9. What will energy supply look like in 100 years from now?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the professor?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Denmark has come up with a (1) ____ idea to help its clean energy needs. The Scandinavian nation (2) ____ to build an artificial island 80km off its western coast in the North Sea. It is expected to be in full operation by 2033. It hopes the ambitious project will end Denmark's reliance (3) ____ fossil fuels within the next three decades. Denmark is currently Europe's largest oil-producing country, so a (4) ____ towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide a huge (5) ____ for its green credentials. Jacob Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, described the project as, "a cornerstone in the green transition which will help facilitate the reduction (6) ____ Danish CO2 emissions".

    The island will be roughly the size of 18 football fields. It is (7) ____ to cost around $34 billion to construct. Much of the energy generated will come from wind farms. These will produce enough electricity to (8) ____ three million households in Denmark and help make the country carbon neutral. The professor explained that the island had (9) ____ potential to create a greener, cleaner Europe. He said: "In the North Sea, we have tremendous potential for offshore wind, about 180 giga-watts (10) ____ total. That means we can actually shut down all European coal-fired power (11) ____." Professor Ostergaard added: "It's a Danish initiative, but this, at (12) ____ with time, is going to be an international effort."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     practicum     (b)     practical     (c)     practice     (d)     practicing    
    2. (a)     contends     (b)     intends     (c)     tends     (d)     attends    
    3. (a)     to     (b)     by     (c)     as     (d)     on    
    4. (a)     transit     (b)     move     (c)     motion     (d)     act    
    5. (a)     coast     (b)     boost     (c)     paste     (d)     roost    
    6. (a)     at     (b)     on     (c)     of     (d)     as    
    7. (a)     flexed     (b)     powered     (c)     projected     (d)     paid    
    8. (a)     energy     (b)     authority     (c)     power     (d)     driven    
    9. (a)     incredulous     (b)     ridiculous     (c)     delicious     (d)     enormous    
    10. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    11. (a)     plants     (b)     pints     (c)     punts     (d)     plinths    
    12. (a)     lest     (b)     lost     (c)     least     (d)     last

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. come up with a acrailptc idea
    2. build an iatiiaclfr island
    3. the tsbiaomui project
    4. Denmark's lnireeca on fossil fuels
    5. a cornerstone in the green otinarntis
    6. CO2 imssesnio

    Paragraph 2

    1. It is ectperojd to cost around $34 billion
    2. power three million osohedhlus
    3. carbon nratleu
    4. we have usmrnodeet potential
    5. hoseofrf wind
    6. It's a Danish intvaitiie

    Put the text back together

    (...)  down all European coal-fired power plants." Professor Ostergaard added: "It's a Danish
    1  ) Denmark has come up with a practical idea to help its clean energy needs. The Scandinavian nation intends
    (...)  country, so a move towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide a huge
    (...)  potential for offshore wind, about 180 giga-watts in total. That means we can actually shut
    (...)  "a cornerstone in the green transition which will help facilitate the reduction of Danish CO2 emissions".
    (...)  to build an artificial island 80km off its western coast in the North Sea. It is expected to be in full
    (...)  explained that the island had enormous potential to create a greener, cleaner Europe. He said: "In the North Sea, we have tremendous
    (...)  million households in Denmark and help make the country carbon neutral. The professor
    (...)  construct. Much of the energy generated will come from wind farms. These will produce enough electricity to power three
    (...)  The island will be roughly the size of 18 football fields. It is projected to cost around $34 billion to
    (...)  initiative, but this, at least with time, is going to be an international effort."
    (...)  boost for its green credentials. Jacob Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, described the project as,
    (...)  fuels within the next three decades. Denmark is currently Europe's largest oil-producing
    (...)  operation by 2033. It hopes the ambitious project will end Denmark's reliance on fossil

    Put the words in the right order

    1. up   with   has   come   Denmark   practical   a   idea   .
    2. coast   .   western   island   An   80km   its   off   artificial
    3. to   expected   in   It's   by   be   operation   2033   .
    4. country   .   is   Denmark   oil-producing   currently   largest   Europe's
    5. facilitate   Help   the   of   CO2   emissions   .   Danish   reduction
    6. around   billion   .   projected   to   $34   It   is   cost
    7. enough   to   million   households  .  three   electricity   power   Produce
    8. enormous   island   had   the   potential   .   He   that   explained
    9. all   We   coal-fired   power   can   down   plants   .   shut
    10. be   an   going   is   This   international   to   effort   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Denmark has come up with a practical idea to help its clean energy needy / needs. The Scandinavian nation portends / intends to build an artificial island 80km off its western coast in the North Sea. It is expected to be in full / fully operation by 2033. It hopes the ambitious project will end Denmark's reliance / rely on fossil fuels within the next three decadence / decades. Denmark is currently Europe's largest oil-producing country, such / so a move towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end / ends of oil production will provide a huge boast / boost for its green credentials. Jacob Ostergaard, a professor of electric power and energy, ascribed / described the project as, "a cornerstone in the green transition which will help facilitate the induction / reduction of Danish CO2 emissions".

    The island will be roughly / rough the size of 18 football fields. It is projected to cost around $34 billion to destruct / construct. Much of the energy generated will come from wind / windy farms. These will produce enough electricity to powerful / power three million households in Denmark and help make the country carbon neutrality / neutral. The professor explained that the island had enormous potentially / potential to create a greener, cleaner Europe. He said: "In the North Sea, we have tremendous potential for offshore / shore wind, about 180 giga-watts in total / totally. That means we can actually shut down all European coal-fired power plants / planes." Professor Ostergaard added: "It's a Danish initiative, but this, at lest / least with time, is going to be an international effort."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    D_nm_rk  h_s  c_m_  _p  w_th  _  pr_ct_c_l  _d__  t_  h_lp  _ts  cl__n  _n_rgy  n__ds.  Th_  Sc_nd_n_v__n  n_t__n  _nt_nds  t_  b__ld  _n  _rt_f_c__l  _sl_nd  80km  _ff  _ts  w_st_rn  c__st  _n  th_  N_rth  S__.  _t  _s  _xp_ct_d  t_  b_  _n  f_ll  _p_r_t__n  by  2033.  _t  h_p_s  th_  _mb_t___s  pr_j_ct  w_ll  _nd  D_nm_rk's  r_l__nc_  _n  f_ss_l  f__ls  w_th_n  th_  n_xt  thr__  d_c_d_s.  D_nm_rk  _s  c_rr_ntly  __r_p_'s  l_rg_st  __l-pr_d_c_ng  c__ntry,  s_  _  m_v_  t_w_rds  100  p_r  c_nt  cl__n  _n_rgy  _nd  th_  _nd  _f  __l  pr_d_ct__n  w_ll  pr_v_d_  _  h_g_  b__st  f_r  _ts  gr__n  cr_d_nt__ls.  J_c_b  _st_rg__rd,  _  pr_f_ss_r  _f  _l_ctr_c  p_w_r  _nd  _n_rgy,  d_scr_b_d  th_  pr_j_ct  _s,  "_  c_rn_rst_n_  _n  th_  gr__n  tr_ns_t__n  wh_ch  w_ll  h_lp  f_c_l_t_t_  th_  r_d_ct__n  _f  D_n_sh  C_2  _m_ss__ns".

    Th_ _sl_nd w_ll b_ r__ghly th_ s_z_ _f 18 f__tb_ll f__lds. _t _s pr_j_ct_d t_ c_st _r__nd $34 b_ll__n t_ c_nstr_ct. M_ch _f th_ _n_rgy g_n_r_t_d w_ll c_m_ fr_m w_nd f_rms. Th_s_ w_ll pr_d_c_ _n__gh _l_ctr_c_ty t_ p_w_r thr__ m_ll__n h__s_h_lds _n D_nm_rk _nd h_lp m_k_ th_ c__ntry c_rb_n n__tr_l. Th_ pr_f_ss_r _xpl__n_d th_t th_ _sl_nd h_d _n_rm__s p_t_nt__l t_ cr__t_ _ gr__n_r, cl__n_r __r_p_. H_ s__d: "_n th_ N_rth S__, w_ h_v_ tr_m_nd__s p_t_nt__l f_r _ffsh_r_ w_nd, _b__t 180 g_g_-w_tts _n t_t_l. Th_t m__ns w_ c_n _ct__lly sh_t d_wn _ll __r_p__n c__l-f_r_d p_w_r pl_nts." Pr_f_ss_r _st_rg__rd _dd_d: "_t's _ D_n_sh _n_t__t_v_, b_t th_s, _t l__st w_th t_m_, _s g__ng t_ b_ _n _nt_rn_t__n_l _ff_rt."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    denmark has come up with a practical idea to help its clean energy needs the scandinavian nation intends to build an artificial island 80km off its western coast in the north sea it is expected to be in full operation by 2033 it hopes the ambitious project will end denmarks reliance on fossil fuels within the next three decades denmark is currently europes largest oilproducing country so a move towards 100 per cent clean energy and the end of oil production will provide a huge boost for its green credentials jacob ostergaard a professor of electric power and energy described the project as a cornerstone in the green transition which will help facilitate the reduction of danish co2 emissions

    the island will be roughly the size of 18 football fields it is projected to cost around 34 billion to construct much of the energy generated will come from wind farms these will produce enough electricity to power three million households in denmark and help make the country carbon neutral the professor explained that the island had enormous potential to create a greener cleaner europe he said in the north sea we have tremendous potential for offshore wind about 180 gigawatts in total that means we can actually shut down all european coalfired power plants professor ostergaard added its a danish initiative but this at least with time is going to be an international effort

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Denmarkhascomeupwithapracticalideatohelpitscleanenergyneeds.
    TheScandinaviannationintendstobuildanartificialisland80kmoffitsw
    esterncoastintheNorthSea.Itisexpectedtobeinfulloperationby2033.
    IthopestheambitiousprojectwillendDenmark'srelianceonfossilfuels
    withinthenextthreedecades.DenmarkiscurrentlyEurope'slargestoil-
    producingcountry,soamovetowards100percentcleanenergyandthe
    endofoilproductionwillprovideahugeboostforitsgreencredentials.Jac
    obOstergaard,aprofessorofelectricpowerandenergy,describedthepr
    ojectas,"acornerstoneinthegreentransitionwhichwillhelpfacilitateth
    ereductionofDanishCO2emissions".Theislandwillberoughlythesizeo
    f18footballfields.Itisprojectedtocostaround$34billiontoconstruct.M
    uchoftheenergygeneratedwillcomefromwindfarms.Thesewillproduc
    eenoughelectricitytopowerthreemillionhouseholdsinDenmarkandh
    elpmakethecountrycarbonneutral.Theprofessorexplainedthattheisl
    andhadenormouspotentialtocreateagreener,cleanerEurope.Hesaid
    :"IntheNorthSea,wehavetremendouspotentialforoffshorewind,abo
    ut180giga-wattsintotal.ThatmeanswecanactuallyshutdownallEuro
    peancoal-firedpowerplants."ProfessorOstergaardadded:"It'saDani
    shinitiative,butthis,atleastwithtime,isgoingtobeaninternationaleffo
    rt."

    Free writing

    Write about clean energy for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All countries with coastlines should build artificial energy islands. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. CLEAN ENERGY: Make a poster about clean energy. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. WIND FARMS: Write a magazine article about all governments making huge wind farms. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on clean energy. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on this. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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