Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 468
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 468 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 468
READING PASSAGE – 3
NUCLEAR POWER
Since 2001, the term “nuclear renaissance” has been used to describe the revival of nuclear power as a major energy source. This has been driven by rising prices of petroleum and other fossil fuels as well as growing concerns regarding greenhouse emissions being generated by these fuels. Unfortunately, the disaster in Fukushima, Japan which resulted in the destruction of the nuclear power plant there has prompted much concern regarding safety of nuclear power. Furthermore, other problems associated with shutdowns at other nuclear facilities have added to this controversy. This has resulted in many countries reviewing the safety of their existing reactors as well as to cast doubt regarding the speed and scale of planned facilities for the world.
According to the World Nuclear Association, electricity produced by nuclear plants was at its lowest level in 2012. The previous year it was so in 1999. Several international studies have suggested that nuclear power, emitting low carbon energy (alongside renewable resources like wind, solar power), continues to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Historically, usage of nuclear power has been thought to have prevented 64 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide.
IELTS General Reading Test
There have been and continue to be concerns regarding nuclear power. These include the fate of spent nuclear fuel, safety and security risks. These concerns are considered to be unique among low carbon energy sources. However, many hydroelectric power stations also take in considerations of safety and security.
According to an analysis of carbon dioxide emissions from nuclear power, conducted by Yale University, it was found that the life cycle of carbon dioxide emissions from nuclear power is only a fraction that of fossil fuels and of comparable renewable technologies. Uncertainty surrounds the future of greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power and this has to do with the potential for a decline in uranium fuel grade without a corresponding increase in the efficiency of enriching it.
Since nuclear power represents 70% of all non-carbon generated electricity, it is very unlikely to meet global climate goals if nuclear power were to be eliminated.
IELTS General Reading Test
In countries without a carbon tax program, nuclear power could prove to be uncompetitive against conventional energy sources. Even hydroelectric sources among these conventional energy sources would turn out to be cheaper. Furthermore, it takes a much longer time to construct a nuclear plant which can produce the same power amount as a coal or oil power plant.
The most popular source of nuclear power is the isotope uranium-235. A more practical alternative considered is thorium, which has proven to be well suited for a molten salt reactor. Thorium is considered better suited because it is a naturally occurring isotope as opposed to uranium-235. Uranium needs to be enriched prior to its use for nuclear power. The one drawback to thorium is that it does require a significant investment in research and development.
IELTS General Reading Test
Public opinion regarding nuclear power varies widely among countries. Gallup International con- ducted a poll in 2011 which examined nuclear power in 47 countries. The poll itself was conducted after the accident at Fukushima in which an earthquake and tsunami destroyed one of the reactors at the plant there. According to the poll, 49% held a favourable view regarding nuclear energy. By contrast, 43% held a negative view.
Ipso conducted a similar poll during that same year in 24 countries. Many respondents preferred renewable energy sources over coal, other fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Ipso in 2012 also found that solar and wind were viewed as more environmentally friendly and more viable in the long run. However, both solar and wind were viewed as being less reliable than nuclear power and natural gas.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 27-35
Complete the table below using No More Than Three Words from the passage.
Parameters to Compare Various Forms of Energy
| Parameter | Nuclear Energy | Conventional Energy | Renewable Energy |
| (27)……………. emissions | Low emissions | High emissions | Low emissions |
| Waste disposal | Disposal of (28)……………. problematic | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
| Safety concerns | High concerns | High concerns in respect (29)……………. power | Not mentioned |
| Life cycle of (30)……………. | Low life cycle | High life cycle | (31)……………. (For specific energy sources) |
| Cost of generation | Uncompetitive | Competitive | Not mentioned |
| Time needed for plant (32)……………. | Longer time needed | Shorter time needed | Not mentioned |
| Source of raw material | Enriched (33)……………. | Fossil fuels | Mainly (34)……………. power |
| (35)……………. viability | Less viable | Less viable | More viable |
| Reliability | More reliable | Not mentioned | Less reliable |
Questions 36-40
Answer the following questions with appropriate information from the passage. Write
True – if the statement agrees with the information in the passage
False – if the statement contradicts the information in the passage
Not given – if the statement states no information in the passage
36. Nuclear power was not a major energy source in the 20th century.
37. After the Fukushima nuclear plant accident, several countries put their nuclear power projects on hold.
38. The quantum of nuclear power generation in 2012 reached its lowest point since 1999.
39. Nuclear power generation has kept carbon dioxide emissions in check.
40. Uranium fuel suffers a decline in grade during use and this decline is not easy to make up through enrichment.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
27. GREENHOUSE/GREENHOUSE GAS
28. SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL
29. HYDROELECTRIC
30. CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS / CO2 EMISSIONS
31. HIGH LIFE CYCLE
32. CONSTRUCTION
33. URANIUM-235/URANIUM
34. WIND AND SOLAR/ SOLAR AND WIND
35. LONG RUN
36. FALSE
37. NOT GIVEN
38. TRUE
39. TRUE
40. NOT GIVEN