Name Date Grade 4 Alternative Fuel Cars Electric Cars: History and Future Photo Credits (in order of appearance): Idealink Photography/Alamy
Today you will read two passages. Read these sources carefully to gather information to answer questions and write an essay. Excerpt from Alternative Fuel Cars by Ned Jensen 1 Most of the energy we use comes from the big star in our sky the Sun. Even coal and oil, because they formed from things that were once living, got their energy from the Sun. When we burn coal, oil, and gasoline made from oil, we are actually releasing energy from the Sun energy that has been stored in these fuels for long periods of time. It is also important to know that it took millions of years for coal and oil to form. For this reason, once these fuels are used up, supplies cannot be replaced quickly. 2 Scientists have found a way to change radiant energy from the Sun directly into electricity. That s right electricity can be made from sunlight. This electricity can then be used to light cities and power cars. 3 All of this is possible because of solar cells. You have probably seen solar cells on calculators. They are also used to supply electricity to spacecraft and to devices found where no source of electricity exists. Solar cells do not get used up as batteries do. Instead, they keep on supplying electricity as long as there is light energy for the cells to absorb. 4 A group of solar cells placed together is a solar panel. Solar panels are placed on the roofs of buildings. They can also be attached to satellites and space stations. A solar-powered car is covered with solar panels. All these panels produce enough electricity to run a special motor in a solar car, light homes, and supply a space station with all its energy. And all of this energy comes without releasing pollutants into the air. 5 So why aren t we powering all of our cars with solar cells, you may ask? The first reason is the cost of manufacturing solar cells. Scientists have not found a way to inexpensively manufacture solar cells that can produce adequate amounts of electricity. So while sunlight as a fuel is free, the cost of manufacturing the solar cells to convert this free energy to electricity offsets the savings. 1 of 12
6 Energy output is another issue. While newer solar cells produce far more energy than the first models did, they still cannot equal the energy produced by burning gasoline in an engine. The top speed of a typical solar-powered car is about 60 mph (96.6 kph). Even then, it takes hundreds of solar cells to generate enough electrical power to reach this speed. 7 Then, of course, there is the issue of night driving and low-sunlight days. For cars to operate around the clock, there has to be a way of storing the energy produced during daylight hours for use when there is no sunlight. Or there has to be a backup power supply. 8 In time, all these problems may be solved, and with oil supplies diminishing, you can safely bet that an army of scientists is working on solving these problems. In fact, every year, teams of students from colleges in the United States and Canada compete in a North American race of solar-powered cars. It is events like these that continue to push advances in solar-cell technology. 2 of 12
1. How does this feature help readers better understand the text? Choose the best two reasons. 2. Look at this picture of a solar car. United States Minnesota La Crosse Wisconsin Michigan New York Rochester VT Iowa Pennsylvania NJ Missouri Illinois Indiana Ohio West Virginia A It shows the distance traveled by some solar cars. B It proves that solar cars can go faster than regular cars. C It describes the route of the race mentioned in the text. D It tells an interesting story about the American Solar Challenge. E It supports the idea that people all over the country are now driving solar cars. MD DE Part A On the basis of what you read in the text, what are the dark-colored items on the front and top of the car? A batteries B solar cells C calculators D extra supplies of gasoline What additional information about solarpowered cars does this picture provide that is not in the text? A They use sunlight instead of fuel. B They can only be driven during the day. C They look very different from regular cars. D They are more expensive than regular cars. 3 of 12
3. Part A Which of the following sentences states the main idea of paragraph 1? A Gasoline can be made from oil. B The big star in the sky is our Sun. C Most of the energy we use comes from the Sun. D It took millions of years for coal and oil to form. Which detail best supports the correct answer to Part A? A Electricity can be used to light cities and power cars. B Once coal and oil are used up, supplies cannot be replaced quickly C Energy can be stored in coal, oil, and gasoline made from oil for long periods of time. D When we burn coal, oil, and gasoline made from oil, we are actually releasing energy from the Sun. 5. According to the text, how are newer solar cells different from the first models? A They are free. B They work at night. C They produce more energy. D They have a backup power supply. 6. Read this sentence from the text: It is events like these that continue to push advances in solar-cell technology. Which of the following three events best tell what the author uses as evidence to support this sentence? A night driving B low-sunlight days C diminishing oil supplies D solar-powered car races E scientists working with solar-powered cars F storing the energy produced 4. What is the meaning of radiant energy as it is used in paragraph 2 of the text? A electricity B sunlight C cities D cars 4 of 12
7. What are three reasons from the text that explain why people are not powering more cars with solar cells? 5 of 12
Excerpt from Electric Cars: History and Future by Steven Accardi What is an Electric Car? 1 Electric cars began their life in the 1830s with a man named Robert Anderson of Scotland. He invented the first electric carriage. A fellow Scotsman, Robert Davidson, and an American, Thomas Davenport, created electric vehicles in 1842 that used electric cells as a power source. These cells could not be recharged, which meant the power source had to be replaced often. Two Frenchmen, Gaston Planté in 1865 and Camille Faure in 1881, created and improved upon a power source that had better storage capacity and was rechargeable the lead-acid battery. 2 The lead-acid battery was a huge breakthrough and is still used in electric vehicles today. Lead-acid batteries are made using sulfuric acid and lead. When the acid eats away at the lead, a chemical reaction occurs and an electric charge is created. This charge powers the motor until the battery needs to be recharged. With the invention of the lead-acid battery, the popularity of electric cars increased. Early Electric Cars 3 For several years, France and Great Britain led the world in the development of electric vehicles. The United States did not join in until 1891 when A. L. Ryker built an electric tricycle and William Morrison built a six-passenger electric wagon. Suddenly, America was hooked. Many early electric prototypes were created. In 1897, the city of New York bought a fleet of electric taxis from the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia. The taxis looked almost like horse carriages, without the horse, and cost nearly $2,000 each, which would be at least $50,000 today. By Steam, Electricity, or Gas 4 By the beginning of the twentieth century, the popularity of cars in America had increased greatly. More and more people were moving to cities and wanted greater mobility. Ambitious and competitive inventors responded quickly to the demand by embracing different technology and devising many new and original ways of powering vehicles. This led to the invention of cars powered by steam and gasoline, in addition to electricity. 6 of 12
5 Sales of electric cars soared in 1899 and 1900 mainly because their competitors lacked what electric cars offered. Electric cars did not shake like gasoline cars, and their motors did not produce the pungent smell and loud noise that gasoline cars did. Changing gears on gasoline cars also proved to be a nuisance, and drivers were often seen wrestling with the gear shifter. Electric and steam vehicles did not require gears to be shifted. Steam cars, however, took a long time to start, sometimes as much as forty-five minutes, especially on colder mornings. Gasoline cars also took time to start and required drivers to turn a hand crank. 6 Range, or the distance traveled, was a problem with these early cars steam cars could only travel a short distance before needing more water. Electric cars had the advantage because they could travel farther than steam cars on a single charge. At that time, the best roads were in cities, which meant that most travel was local. This situation made electric cars popular because they were able to ride smoothly and quietly for short distances. 7 Standard electric cars cost slightly less than $1,000. Electric-vehicle manufacturers, however, wanted to reach more prosperous consumers and had designers create massive, ornate carriages with flamboyant interiors made from expensive materials, which bumped up the price to almost $3,000 by 1910. This decision on affordability would haunt the electric car for years to come. 7 of 12
8. Part A Which two events happened before 1850? A The electric carriage was invented. B The lead-acid battery was created and improved. C Sales of electric cars increased tremendously. D Robert Davidson and Thomas Davenport created vehicles that used electric cells as a power source. E New York City bought a fleet of electric taxis. F Inventors built an electric tricycle and a six-passenger electric wagon. 9. Which of the following three reasons does the author use to support the point that the lead-acid battery was a better power source than electric cells? A They could be recharged. B They had better storage capacity. C They were the original power source. D They needed to be replaced less often. E They were available in France and Scotland. Which three events happened after 1890? A The electric carriage was invented. B The lead-acid battery was created and improved. C Sales of electric cars increased tremendously. D Robert Davidson and Thomas Davenport created vehicles that used electric cells as a power source. E New York City bought a fleet of electric taxis. F Inventors built an electric tricycle and a six-passenger electric wagon. 8 of 12
10. Think about the information you read about electric cars, steam cars, and gasoline cars. Then, answer the following questions. All of the questions have more than one answer. Part A Which statements describe an electric car? A did not shake B required changing gears C took a long time to start D had to be cranked by hand E could only travel a short distance F rode smoothly and quietly for short distances Which statements describe a steam car? 11. Part A What does the word local mean as it is used in paragraph 6? A busy B nearby C expensive D dangerous Which phrase from the text helps readers understand the meaning of local? A best roads B travel farther C short distances D smoothly and quietly A did not shake B were smelly and noisy C took a long time to start D had to be cranked by hand E could only travel a short distance F rode smoothly and quietly for short distances Part C Which statements describe a gasoline car? A did not shake B were smelly and noisy C required changing gears D took a long time to start E had to be cranked by hand F could only travel a short distance 9 of 12
12. Part A According to the text in paragraph 7, why did the price of electric cars go up to almost $3,000 by 1910? A Electric cars weighed more. B The insides of the cars changed. C Demand for electric cars increased. D The car companies were going out of business. Which sentence from the text describes an effect of this price change? A Electric and steam vehicles did not require gears to be shifted. B This decision on affordability would haunt the electric car for years to come. C This situation made electric cars popular because they were able to ride smoothly and quietly for short distances. D Sales of electric cars soared in 1899 and 1900 mainly because their competitors lacked what electric cars offered. 13. Part A Which invention increased the popularity of electric cars? A solar cells B solar panels C the hand crank D the lead-acid battery When did this invention become available? A before 1850 B the late 1800s C the 1950s D after 2001 10 of 12
14. You have read two texts about cars. Write an essay that compares and contrasts solar-powered cars with electric cars on the basis of the information in the two texts. Explain at least one way the two types of cars are alike. Explain at least one way the two types of cars are different. Use details from both texts to support your answer. 11 of 12
: Answer Sheet 1. 2. Part A 3. Part A 4. 5. 6. Constructed Response 7. E F 8. Part A E F E F 9. E 10. Part A E F E F Part C E F 11. Part A 12. Part A 13. Part A 14. Constructed Response 12 of 12