Pre-reading questions:
- What comes to mind when you hear the word “sustainable”?
- What type of fuel do airplanes use, and how is it different from other fuels?
Vocabulary:
- extract /ik-STRAKT/
- convert /kuhn-VURT/
- prospect /PROS-pekt/
- overcome /oh-ver-KUHM/
- lead to /leed too/
[verb] – to remove or take out something
In science class, we learned how to extract DNA from strawberries using a simple home-made solution.
[verb] – to (cause something or someone to) change in form or character
I need to convert the measurements from cups to milliliters to follow the recipe correctly.
[noun] – the possibility that something good might happen in the future:
After completing his degree, Tom was excited about the prospect of starting his own business.
[verb] – to defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something
Despite facing many challenges, she was able to overcome her fears and complete the difficult task.
[phrasal verb] – If an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist
Eating too much junk food can lead to health problems such as obesity and high cholesterol.
Article reading:
Seaweed is a type of macroalgae with a high concentration of sugars and oils that can be extracted and converted into biofuels. The best part? Seaweed does not require arable land or freshwater to grow, making it a more sustainable option than traditional biofuels. Furthermore, it grows at a rapid rate, meaning it can be harvested quickly and efficiently. While the prospect of seaweed biofuels powering planes is exciting, there are still challenges that need to be overcome. The technology to extract and convert seaweed into biofuels needs to be developed and improved to be more efficient and cost-effective. Additionally, large-scale seaweed cultivation must be done sustainably to avoid harming marine ecosystems.
In conclusion, the use of seaweed biofuels in the aviation industry could be a game-changer in the fight against climate change. While there are still obstacles to overcome, continued research and development in this area could lead to a more sustainable future for air travel.
Comprehension questions
- Why is the aviation industry considered a key target in the fight against climate change?
- What is the aviation industry’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions?
- What are the benefits of using seaweed as a biofuel compared to traditional biofuels?
- What is a potential obstacle to the development of seaweed biofuel technology?
- Could seaweed biofuels be a game-changer in the fight against climate change?
Discussion questions
- Based on your knowledge, what exactly is seaweed, and what distinguishes it from other types of marine plants?
- Can you think of other industries that could benefit from using sustainable biofuels like seaweed? How might they use these fuels?
- Do you agree that using seaweed as a sustainable fuel source is more efficient and cost-effective than other biofuels?
- How do you think the cultivation of seaweed for biofuel production could be done sustainably without harming marine ecosystems?
- What challenges do you think need to be overcome before seaweed biofuels can become a viable option for powering planes?