Green Energy Jobs Before Reading Poll

10/11/2016 Achieve3000: Lesson
Printed by: Isabelle Gorgeu
Printed on: November 10, 2016
Green Energy Jobs
Before Reading Poll
Who should pay to train workers for the new green collar jobs? If you don’t have enough information, just skip
this poll. You can answer the After Reading Poll later.
The U.S. government
Green energy companies
Explain why you voted the way you did.
http://portal.achieve3000.com/kb/lesson/do_print?lid=3501&c=1&step=all&pagebreaks=1 1/16
Article
NEWTON, Iowa (Achieve3000, February 2, 2008). The business of
making renewable and sustainable energy—or "green" energy—is growing
rapidly. Energy experts predict a huge increase in the number of "green
collar" jobs. Workers of these jobs need to be skilled in green energy
technologies. These workers need to know how to design and manufacture
green energy systems. They also need to know how to set up energy
systems and fix them if they break. Such systems include wind turbines
and solar panels. Now, many business leaders wonder how they will fill
these new green collar jobs.
Randall Swisher is a leader in the wind energy business. He expects that AP Photo/Sandy Huffaker
nearly half a million new jobs could be created in the wind energy business
By 2030, half a million new jobs
by 2030.
could be created in the wind energy
business.
Some energy experts are worried. They say they will need more workers.
They aren't sure there will be enough. Yet other experts see the need for more workers as an opportunity for American
workers.
In the past few years, many olderstyle manufacturing companies have closed. As a result, many workers have lost
their jobs. Bob Baugh's group helps workers. He said that the renewable energy business is an opportunity for these
workers to find new jobs.
These workers need training, though. Training workers is important to the success of the renewable energy business.
But there will be a very large number of people to train. This can make it difficult for the energy businesses to earn a
profit and grow.
This concern has energy business officials asking the U.S. government to help. They want the government to help pay
the training costs. They are asking for tax breaks. Oil companies already receive such tax breaks. Tax breaks would
help make training new workers possible. Energy business officials say the government needs to help. If it does not
get the help, U.S. energy companies will have to send jobs to workers in other countries. The jobs would not go to
workers in the U.S.
Renewable energy business experts are hopeful that the upcoming presidential election will bring changes. They hope
that the new president will seize the opportunity to keep green collar jobs in the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Dictionary
renewable (adjective) able to be refreshed, remade, regrown, or kept in supply for a long time
solar panel (noun) a large rectangular piece that absorbs sunlight and makes it into electricity
sustainable (adjective) able to keep going
technology (noun) the use of science to make new things
turbine (noun) a machine with blades that turn with the pressure of steam, water, hot gases, or air
Activity
PART 1
Question 1
Which best replaces the question mark in the diagram above?
Green energy companies are worrying about training green collar workers.
Experts are predicting many new ways of producing energy in the future.
Experts are predicting many new jobs for green collar workers.
Green energy companies are asking the government for tax breaks.
Question 2
The news article says all of the following except __________.
Companies that make green energy are going out of business.
Some people are asking the U.S. government for tax breaks.
Many new green collar workers will need to be trained.
Training workers is important to the success of energy businesses.
Question 3
The article states:
He said that the renewable energy business is an opportunity for these workers to find new jobs.
Which is the closest synonym for the word opportunity?
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning. Sick and ill are synonyms.
Chunk
Chance
Chisel
Choice
Question 4
Suppose you were writing a summary of the article. Which of these would not be important to put in the summary?
People in the energy business are asking the government for help.
Experts predict there will be a need for many green collar workers.
Many people will need to be trained for green collar jobs.
Bob Baugh is part of a group that helps workers.
Question 5
The author most likely wrote this article in order to __________.
Explain how the government helps keep jobs in the U.S.
Explain how energy is made from wind turbines and solar panels
Describe the upcoming need for trained green collar workers
Describe the upcoming need for green energy systems
Question 6
The article states:
This can make it difficult for the energy businesses to earn a profit and grow.
Which would be the closest synonym for the word difficult?
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning. Sick and ill are synonyms.
Charming
Confident
Convenient
Challenging
Question 7
Let's say that this article could have a different title. The best one would be __________.
Energy Companies Use Wind and Sunlight To Make Energy
U.S. Government Gives Oil Companies a Break
New Green Collar Jobs Mean Training Needed
New President Agrees To Aid Green Energy Companies
Question 8
What cause and effect relationship is described in this article?
If the government does not help oil companies, it will have more money to help energy
companies.
If the government does not help, U.S. energy companies will make workers pay for their own
training.
If the government does not help, U.S. energy companies will have to send jobs to workers in other
countries.
If the government does not help oil companies, it should not help energy companies either.
RESULTS
First Second
Activity
Try Try
1.
()
Which best replaces the question mark in the diagram above? ()
2. The news article says all of the following except __________. ()
3. The article states:
He said that the renewable energy business is an opportunity for these workers to
find new jobs.
()
Which is the closest synonym for the word opportunity? ()
4. Suppose you were writing a summary of the article. Which of these would not be important t
o put in the summary? ()
5. The author most likely wrote this article in order to __________. ()
This can make it difficult for the energy businesses to earn a profit and grow.
()
Which would be the closest synonym for the word difficult? ()
7. Let's say that this article could have a different title. The best one would be __________. ()
8. What cause and effect relationship is described in this article? ()
Activity Score 100% 100%
After Reading Poll
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement.
Who should pay to train workers for the new green collar jobs? If you don’t have enough information, just skip
this poll. You can answer the After Reading Poll later.
The U.S. government
Green energy companies
Thought Question
Identify the main problem discussed in the article. Then explain the solutions to the problem. Which solution do you
consider to be best? Why?
Use information from the article, and your own ideas, in your answer.
Type your answer in the box below.
Poll Results
BEFORE READING AFTER READING
HOW YOU VOTED
The U.S. government The U.S. government
Green energy companies Green energy companies
You changed your opinion after reading the articles.
WORLDWIDE RESULTS
The U.S. 54% The U.S. 69%

government government
Green 46% Green 31%
energy energy
companies companies
34% changed their opinion after reading the article.
Math
PART 1
The afternoon sun shines on a solar panel. The surface temperature on part of the panel is 91.6°F. What is the surface
temperature measured in degrees Celsius?
C = 5/9 • (F 32) where C is degrees Celsius and F is degrees Fahrenheit
51.5°C
32.9°C
33.1°C
18.9°C
RESULTS
Activity First Second

Try Try
1. The afternoon sun shines on a solar panel. The surface temperature on part of the panel is
91.6°F. What is the surface temperature measured in degrees Celsius? ()
Stretch Article
NEWTON, Iowa (Achieve3000, February 2, 2008). The industry of
renewable and sustainable energy—or "green" energy—is booming.
Energy experts predict a dramatic increase in the number of "green collar"
jobs. These jobs require workers skilled in the design, manufacture,
installation, and maintenance of technologies related to green energy
sources. Such sources include wind turbines, solar panels, and alternative
fuels. Now, the question on the minds of many industry leaders is how
they might fill these new green collar jobs.
Randall Swisher is the executive director of the American Wind Energy
Association. He estimates that by 2030, nearly half a million new jobs AP Photo/Sandy Huffaker
could be created in the wind energy industry alone.
By 2030, half a million new jobs
could be created in the wind energy
Some energy experts worry about a workforce shortage. Yet others see industry.
the need as a promising opportunity for American workers.
In recent years, many olderstyle manufacturing companies have closed. As a result, many workers have lost their
jobs. Bob Baugh is executive director of the AFLCIO Industrial Union Council. He said that the renewable energy
industry is "an opportunity to restore some of the three million jobs in manufacturing we've lost in the last seven years."
TPI Composites Inc. manufactures blades used in wind turbines. The company recently built a new energy plant in
Newton, Iowa. This is because the town's Maytag appliance factory closed last year. There were 1,800 workers who
lost their jobs. TPI believed the displaced Maytag workers would be great candidates for jobs at its new plant.
The expense of training a new workforce, however, has industry executives concerned. They know that training skilled
workers is essential to the success of the industry. The problem is that there will be a very large number of workers
who require training. This can make it difficult for the industry to earn a profit and grow.
This concern has many industry officials calling for the U.S. government to help with those training costs in the form of
tax breaks. Oil companies already receive such tax breaks. For the renewable energy industry, they would help make
training a new workforce possible. While the industry does currently benefit from some federal tax breaks, those are set
to expire this year. If they are not renewed, many worry that U.S. and manufacturing companies will have to send the
jobs overseas. That would be unwelcome news for displaced manufacturing workers in the U.S. who need jobs.
Renewable energy industry experts are hopeful that the upcoming presidential election will usher in changes. They
hope the new administration will seize the opportunity to keep green collar jobs in the United States. Democratic
candidates have said they would funnel federal money into jobtraining programs for workers to become skilled in green
industries. The Republican candidates too have plans. They say they will assist and strengthen the clean energy
industry.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Dictionary
appliance (noun) a machine that has a special use in the home
displaced (adjective) forced to leave a place or position because of forces beyond one's control
renewable (adjective) able to be refreshed, remade, regrown, or kept in supply for a long time
sustainable (adjective) able to be used and replaced without upsetting nature's balance
turbine (noun) a machine with blades that turn with the pressure of steam, water, hot gases, or air
Stretch Activity
PART 1
Question 1
What would cause U.S. and manufacturing companies to have to send the jobs overseas?
A new president that will funnel federal money into training programs
A lack of displaced manufacturing workers to fill jobs in the U.S.
A lack of money required to train a skilled green workforce in the U.S.
A new president that will strengthen the clean energy industry
Question 2
The news article says all of the following except __________.
The wind turbine and solar panel are technologies related to green energy.
Three million jobs in manufacturing have been lost in the last seven years.
The federal government provides some tax breaks for workforce training.
The Maytag factory closed because TPI Composites Inc. wanted its workers.
Question 3
Which is the closest antonym for the word displaced?
Restored
Remembered
Regulated
Retired
Question 4
Which of these is most important to include in a summary of the article?
The fact that green collar jobs offer new opportunities for American workers
The fact that oil companies receive tax breaks that the energy industry wants to renew
The number of jobs in manufacturing that the U.S. has lost in recent years
The number of new jobs that will be created by the wind energy industry alone
Question 5
The author's purpose in writing this article was probably to __________.
Convince readers to switch from electricity to green energy sources
Inform readers that there will be an increase in green collar jobs
Inform readers that companies in some industries receive tax breaks
Convince readers that jobs in manufacturing will disappear in the U.S.
Question 6
The article states:
He estimates that by 2030, nearly half a million new jobs could be created in the wind energy industry alone.
Which would be the closest synonym for the word estimates?
Circulates
Complicates
Approximates
Associates
Question 7
The best alternate headline for this article would be __________.
Sustainable Energy Jobs Bring New Opportunity
Iowa Plant Seeks Skilled Wind Energy Industry Experts
Green Collar Workers Receive Tax Breaks
President Approves Green Industry Job Match Program
Question 8
Which question is not answered in the article?
Why does the government currently give tax breaks to oil companies?
What has energy experts hopeful about the presidential elections?
How many workers lost their jobs at the Maytag appliance factory?
Where did TPI Composites Inc. recently build a new energy plant?
RESULTS
First Second
Activity
Try Try
1. What would cause U.S. and manufacturing companies to have to send the jobs overseas?
()
2. The news article says all of the following except __________. ()
3. Which is the closest antonym for the word displaced? ()
4. Which of these is most important to include in a summary of the article? ()
5. The author's purpose in writing this article was probably to __________. ()
He estimates that by 2030, nearly half a million new jobs could be created in the w
ind energy industry alone.
()
Which would be the closest synonym for the word estimates? ()
7. The best alternate headline for this article would be __________. ()
8. Which question is not answered in the article? ()

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10/11/2016 Achieve3000: Lesson

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The U.S. 54% The U.S. 69%

Activity First Second

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Activity Score 88% 100%

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