A Swedish company called Modvion has made a really tall wind turbine tower out of wood. It’s the tallest one in the world and stands at 150 meters (492 feet). The tower has a generator on top that makes enough electricity for about 400 homes. Modvion thinks using wood for wind turbines is a good idea because it’s lighter than steel, which means they can make taller turbines with less material.

Usually, wind turbine towers are made of steel, but that can be a problem, especially for projects on land. As turbines get bigger, the steel towers have to get wider, which makes it hard to transport them. On the other hand, wooden towers can be built in smaller sections that are easier to move and put together. Modvion’s tower is made of a special kind of wood called laminated veneer lumber (LVL), which is strong and flexible. The company wants to make even taller wooden turbines in the future.

The outside of the wooden turbine looks like a regular one, with a white coating and fiberglass blades. But the inside is special, with curved wooden walls that look like a sauna. The tower gets its strength from layers of LVL that have been glued and pressed together. Modvion thinks wood and glue are a great combination because they let them make taller turbines with less material.

Some experts think the modular system of wooden towers is a good thing, but others think it might take more time and resources to install compared to steel towers. A big wind turbine company called Siemens Gamesa thinks wooden towers can work alongside steel ones and is trying to reduce the carbon emissions from the steel it uses. But Modvion says using wood instead of steel gets rid of the carbon emissions from wind turbines completely, because trees take in carbon dioxide while they’re alive and store it in the wood.

Vestas, a big renewable energy company, is interested in Modvion’s wooden tower and thinks it could be really useful for making taller turbines. Using wood instead of steel not only solves transportation problems but also helps the environment, because making steel creates a lot of carbon emissions. Another company called SSE Renewables in the UK is also looking into wooden towers instead of steel.

Modvion wants to make even taller wooden turbines in the future and plans to open a factory that makes 100 wooden turbines every year by 2027. They hope that in 10 years, 10% of all the turbines installed each year will be made of wood. This new technology could help make renewable energy even better for the environment.

Original news source: World’s tallest wooden wind turbine starts turning (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and summarize the main points in a news summary format.
4. Each group will present their summary to the class, highlighting the key details of the article.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each pair/group with a list of discussion questions related to the article.
3. Instruct the students to discuss the questions and share their opinions with each other.
4. After the discussion, conduct an opinion poll by asking students to vote on their preferred option for each question.
5. Discuss the results as a class and encourage students to explain their choices.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. One student from each team will come to the front of the class.
4. Show the chosen student a vocabulary word from the list.
5. The student must draw a picture representing the word while their team tries to guess it.
6. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.
7. Repeat with different students and vocabulary words until all words have been used.

– Headline Creation
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Instruct each group to come up with a catchy headline for the article.
3. Encourage creativity and emphasize the importance of capturing the main idea in a concise and engaging way.
4. Each group will present their headline to the class and explain why they chose it.

– Two Truths and a Lie
Instructions:
1. Instruct each student to write three statements related to the article – two truths and one lie.
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Each student will take turns sharing their statements with their partner/group.
4. The partner/group must guess which statement is the lie.
5. After all students have shared, discuss the answers as a class and allow students to explain their choices.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What material did the Swedish company Modvion use to make their wind turbine tower?
2. How tall is the wooden wind turbine tower made by Modvion?
3. Why does Modvion think using wood for wind turbines is a good idea?
4. What is laminated veneer lumber (LVL)?
5. How does Modvion make their wooden turbine tower strong?
6. What is the benefit of using wood instead of steel for wind turbine towers?
7. What do some experts think about the modular system of wooden towers compared to steel towers?
8. What are some other companies that are interested in using wooden towers for wind turbines instead of steel?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A Swedish company called Modvion has made a really tall wind turbine tower out of wood. It’s the tallest one in the world and (1)______ at 150 meters (492 feet). The tower has a generator on top that makes enough electricity for about 400 homes. Modvion thinks using wood for wind turbines is a good idea because it’s lighter than steel, which means they can make (2)______ turbines with less material.

Usually, wind turbine towers are made of steel, but that can be a problem, especially for (3)______ on land. As turbines get bigger, the steel towers have to get wider, which makes it hard to transport them. On the other hand, (4)______ towers can be built in smaller (5)______ that are easier to move and put together. Modvion’s tower is made of a special kind of wood called laminated veneer lumber (LVL), which is strong and flexible. The company wants to make even taller wooden turbines in the future.

The (6)______ of the wooden turbine looks like a regular one, with a white coating and (7)______ blades. But the inside is special, with (8)______ wooden walls that look like a sauna. The tower gets its strength from layers of LVL that have been glued and pressed together. Modvion thinks wood and glue are a great combination because they let them make taller turbines with less material.

Some experts think the modular (9)______ of wooden towers is a good thing, but others think it might take more time and resources to install compared to steel towers. A big wind turbine company called Siemens Gamesa (10)______ wooden towers can work alongside steel ones and is trying to reduce the (11)______ emissions from the steel it uses. But Modvion says using wood instead of steel gets rid of the carbon emissions from wind turbines completely, because trees take in carbon dioxide while they’re (12)______ and store it in the wood.

Vestas, a big renewable energy company, is interested in Modvion’s wooden tower and thinks it could be really useful for making taller turbines. Using wood instead of steel not only (13)______ transportation problems but also helps the environment, because making steel (14)______ a lot of carbon emissions. Another company called SSE Renewables in the UK is also looking into wooden (15)______ instead of steel.

Modvion wants to make even taller wooden turbines in the future and plans to open a factory that makes 100 wooden turbines every year by 2027. They hope that in 10 years, 10% of all the turbines installed each year will be made of wood. This new technology could help make renewable (16)______ even better for the environment.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a wind turbine and what is its purpose?
2. How would you feel if your electricity at home was generated by a wind turbine made of wood?
3. Do you like the idea of using wood instead of steel for wind turbine towers? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it is important to find more environmentally-friendly ways to generate electricity? Why or why not?
5. What do you think are the advantages of using wood instead of steel for wind turbine towers?
6. How do you think using wood for wind turbines could help solve transportation problems?
7. What is laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and why is it a good material for wind turbine towers?
8. Do you think wooden wind turbine towers could be a good solution for reducing carbon emissions? Why or why not?
9. How do you think using wood instead of steel could make renewable energy even better for the environment?
10. What are some potential challenges or drawbacks of using wooden wind turbine towers?
11. How do you think the modular system of wooden towers compares to steel towers in terms of installation time and resources?
12. Do you think it is important for companies to invest in renewable energy technologies like wooden wind turbine towers? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the use of wooden wind turbine towers could impact the renewable energy industry in the future?
14. Would you be interested in living near a wind turbine made of wood? Why or why not?
15. What other renewable energy technologies do you think could be beneficial for the environment? Why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. modular
2. emissions
3. renewable
4. veneer
5. turbine
6. fiberglass
7. glued
8. carbon dioxide
9. sauna
10. flexible
11. generator
12. coating
13. sections
14. resources
15. laminated

Meanings:
(A) A gas that plants use to make food, which is also produced when animals breathe out
(B) Pieces or parts that something is divided into
(C) Able to be replaced naturally and used again
(D) Stuck together with a strong adhesive substance
(E) The release of gases or substances into the air
(F) A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
(G) A thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material
(H) A small room or house designed for experiencing dry heat
(I) Made up of separate parts that can be put together or taken apart easily
(J) A thin layer that covers or protects a surface
(K) Able to bend or be shaped without breaking
(L) Made by bonding layers of material together
(M) A machine that has blades that spin around to produce energy from wind
(N) Supplies, money, or other assets that can be used to achieve something
(O) A material made from thin fibers of glass and used in making various products
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What material did Modvion use to make the tallest wind turbine tower in the world?
(a) Steel
(b) Wood
(c) Fiberglass
(d) Concrete

2. Why does Modvion think using wood for wind turbines is a good idea?
(a) Wood is lighter than steel, allowing for taller turbines with less material.
(b) Wood is cheaper than steel, making the turbines more affordable.
(c) Wood is more durable than steel, resulting in longer-lasting turbines.
(d) Wood is easier to transport than steel, making construction faster.

3. What is the special kind of wood called that Modvion used for their tower?
(a) Plywood
(b) Oak
(c) Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
(d) Pine

4. What is the advantage of using a modular system for wooden towers?
(a) It reduces the carbon emissions from the turbines.
(b) It makes the turbines more durable and long-lasting.
(c) It allows for easier transportation and assembly.
(d) It increases the efficiency of electricity generation.

5. What is the main environmental benefit of using wood instead of steel for wind turbines?
(a) Wood absorbs carbon dioxide, reducing carbon emissions.
(b) Wood is a renewable resource, unlike steel.
(c) Wood is biodegradable, reducing waste.
(d) Wood requires less energy to produce than steel.

6. Which big renewable energy company is interested in Modvion’s wooden tower?
(a) Siemens Gamesa
(b) Vestas
(c) SSE Renewables
(d) Modvion

7. What is Modvion’s goal for the future?
(a) To make wooden turbines that are even taller than the current one.
(b) To reduce the carbon emissions from wind turbines completely.
(c) To replace all steel wind turbines with wooden ones.
(d) To open a factory that makes 100 wooden turbines every year by 2027.

8. How could Modvion’s wooden turbines contribute to renewable energy?
(a) By increasing the efficiency of electricity generation.
(b) By reducing the cost of wind turbines.
(c) By improving the transportation and assembly process.
(d) By making renewable energy more environmentally friendly.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The wooden tower stands at 150 meters (492 feet) and has a generator on top that produces electricity for about 400 homes.
2. Modvion does not aim to make even taller wooden turbines in the future and does not hope that 10% of all turbines installed each year will be made of wood within 10 years.
3. Modvion’s tower is not constructed using laminated veneer lumber (LVL), a strong and flexible type of wood.
4. Modvion does not believe that using wood for wind turbines is beneficial because it is lighter than steel, allowing for taller turbines with less material.
5. Traditional wind turbine towers are not typically made of steel, which can be difficult to transport as they become larger.
6. Wooden towers can be built in smaller sections, making them easier to move and assemble.
7. While the outside of the wooden turbine looks like a regular one, the inside features curved wooden walls.
8. A Swedish company called Modvion has built the world’s tallest wind turbine tower out of wood.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the tallest wind turbine tower in the world made of?
2. Why does Modvion think using wood for wind turbines is a good idea?
3. What are the advantages of using wooden towers instead of steel towers for wind turbines?
4. What is special about the inside of Modvion’s wooden turbine tower?
5. How does using wood instead of steel for wind turbines help the environment?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What material did the Swedish company Modvion use to make their wind turbine tower?
Modvion used wood to make their wind turbine tower.

2. How tall is the wooden wind turbine tower made by Modvion?
The wooden wind turbine tower made by Modvion is 150 meters (492 feet) tall.

3. Why does Modvion think using wood for wind turbines is a good idea?
Modvion thinks using wood for wind turbines is a good idea because it is lighter than steel, which allows them to make taller turbines with less material.

4. What is laminated veneer lumber (LVL)?
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a special kind of wood that is strong and flexible. It is used by Modvion to make their wooden turbine tower.

5. How does Modvion make their wooden turbine tower strong?
Modvion makes their wooden turbine tower strong by using layers of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) that have been glued and pressed together.

6. What is the benefit of using wood instead of steel for wind turbine towers?
The benefit of using wood instead of steel for wind turbine towers is that wood is lighter and easier to transport. It also helps reduce carbon emissions because trees take in carbon dioxide while they’re alive and store it in the wood.

7. What do some experts think about the modular system of wooden towers compared to steel towers?
Some experts think the modular system of wooden towers may take more time and resources to install compared to steel towers.

8. What are some other companies that are interested in using wooden towers for wind turbines instead of steel?
Vestas and SSE Renewables are some other companies that are interested in using wooden towers for wind turbines instead of steel.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) stands
(2) taller
(3) projects
(4) wooden
(5) sections
(6) outside
(7) fiberglass
(8) curved
(9) system
(10) thinks
(11) carbon
(12) alive
(13) solves
(14) creates
(15) towers
(16) energy
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. modular
Answer: (I) Made up of separate parts that can be put together or taken apart easily

2. emissions
Answer: (E) The release of gases or substances into the air

3. renewable
Answer: (C) Able to be replaced naturally and used again

4. veneer
Answer: (G) A thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material

5. turbine
Answer: (M) A machine that has blades that spin around to produce energy from wind

6. fiberglass
Answer: (O) A material made from thin fibers of glass and used in making various products

7. glued
Answer: (D) Stuck together with a strong adhesive substance

8. carbon dioxide
Answer: (A) A gas that plants use to make food, which is also produced when animals breathe out

9. sauna
Answer: (H) A small room or house designed for experiencing dry heat

10. flexible
Answer: (K) Able to bend or be shaped without breaking

11. generator
Answer: (F) A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

12. coating
Answer: (J) A thin layer that covers or protects a surface

13. sections
Answer: (B) Pieces or parts that something is divided into

14. resources
Answer: (N) Supplies, money, or other assets that can be used to achieve something

15. laminated
Answer: (L) Made by bonding layers of material together
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What material did Modvion use to make the tallest wind turbine tower in the world?
Answer: (b) Wood

2. Why does Modvion think using wood for wind turbines is a good idea?
Answer: (a) Wood is lighter than steel, allowing for taller turbines with less material.

3. What is the special kind of wood called that Modvion used for their tower?
Answer: (c) Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)

4. What is the advantage of using a modular system for wooden towers?
Answer: (c) It allows for easier transportation and assembly.

5. What is the main environmental benefit of using wood instead of steel for wind turbines?
Answer: (a) Wood absorbs carbon dioxide, reducing carbon emissions.

6. Which big renewable energy company is interested in Modvion’s wooden tower?
Answer: (b) Vestas

7. What is Modvion’s goal for the future?
Answer: (d) To open a factory that makes 100 wooden turbines every year by 2027.

8. How could Modvion’s wooden turbines contribute to renewable energy?
Answer: (d) By making renewable energy more environmentally friendly.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The wooden tower stands at 150 meters (492 feet) and has a generator on top that produces electricity for about 400 homes. (Answer: True)
2. Modvion does not aim to make even taller wooden turbines in the future and does not hope that 10% of all turbines installed each year will be made of wood within 10 years. (Answer: False)
3. Modvion’s tower is not constructed using laminated veneer lumber (LVL), a strong and flexible type of wood. (Answer: False)
4. Modvion does not believe that using wood for wind turbines is beneficial because it is lighter than steel, allowing for taller turbines with less material. (Answer: False)
5. Traditional wind turbine towers are not typically made of steel, which can be difficult to transport as they become larger. (Answer: False)
6. Wooden towers can be built in smaller sections, making them easier to move and assemble. (Answer: True)
7. While the outside of the wooden turbine looks like a regular one, the inside features curved wooden walls. (Answer: True)
8. A Swedish company called Modvion has built the world’s tallest wind turbine tower out of wood. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧