Question 40 - Language: Level A Practice Test for the TABE Test

As the world looks to minimize or end our reliance on fossil fuels, renewable sources of energy have become an important focus. Hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, solar energy, and wind power are some of the most common sources of natural, “clean,” renewable energy. While solar “farms” have grown popular and huge arrays of solar panels have been erected, wind energy is another source of power that many communities are considering.

Wind power converts the energy naturally occurring in winds into electricity, for example. Wind energy is “clean” because it uses the kinetic energy of massive wind turbines to turn a generator, which then creates electricity that can be used to power homes and businesses. There are no fossil fuels used in the production of wind energy, and no harmful greenhouse gases are released during the wind to electricity conversion.

For all the wonderful benefits, there are some disadvantages to wind power. One is the placement of the wind turbines. Ideally, they should be placed in locations with a regular wind. Blowing too strongly, however, the winds can damage the turbines. Not blowing enough and there’s not enough energy to convert into electricity. They’re also quite large structures, usually several hundred feet tall, and it can mar the view of natural, wide-open spaces to have these structures dotting the landscape.