Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Renewable Energy & Smart Grids

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de participar en debates complejos sobre la transición energética y la sostenibilidad. Habrás desarrollado la capacidad de expresar opiniones matizadas utilizando estructuras de cortesía (preguntas indirectas) y habrás ampliado tu léxico especializado para discutir infraestructuras tecnológicas y políticas medioambientales.

Asimismo, habrás perfeccionado tu habilidad para integrar cláusulas subordinadas de manera natural, algo esencial para alcanzar el nivel C1. Este test está diseñado para evaluar si puedes combinar la precisión gramatical con un vocabulario de registro académico y profesional de manera fluida.

Grammar consolidation

Part A: Sentence Transformation Rewrite the sentences so that the second sentence has the same meaning as the first, using the word provided. Do not change the word provided.

1. "Where is the nearest wind farm located?" I wanted to ask. WONDER I __________ the nearest wind farm was located.

2. "Why did the government subsidise solar panels last year?" she asked. WHETHER She asked __________ the government had subsidised solar panels the previous year.

3. "Is the smart grid capable of handling the surge in demand?" the engineer asked. IF The engineer wanted to know __________ the smart grid was capable of handling the surge in demand.

Part B: Error Correction Identify and correct the grammatical error in each sentence.

4. I was wondering if you could tell me where does the hydroelectric plant stand.
5. They asked me that why the energy prices had increased so sharply.
6. I wonder if it is possible to implement these changes without any disruption. (Note: Is this sentence correct? If not, fix it. If it is, write 'Correct').

Part C: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the following direct questions into indirect/embedded questions to make them more formal/polite.

7. How much will the transition to green energy cost? (Start with: I was wondering...)
8. When will the new battery storage facility be operational? (Start with: Could you tell me...)
9. Will the smart grid prevent blackouts? (Start with: It remains to be seen...)
10. Why is fossil fuel reliance still so high? (Start with: A question remains as to...)

Vocabulary activation

Part A: Collocations Complete the sentences with the correct word: renewable, carbon, fossil, grid, green.**

1. The transition away from _____ fuels is the greatest challenge of our century.
2. We need to invest heavily in _____ energy sources like wind and solar.
3. The national _____ requires significant upgrades to handle intermittent power.
4. Many countries are striving to reach _____ net targets by 2050.
5. Governments are offering incentives to promote _____ technology adoption.

Part B: Word Formation Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

6. The _____ of solar energy has increased exponentially over the last decade. (RELY)
7. We must find a _____ to the energy crisis through innovation. (SOLVE)
8. The _____ of the new power plant was delayed due to technical issues. (CONSTRUCT)
9. Experts warn about the _____ of depleting natural resources. (INEVITABLE)

Part C: Register Choice Choose the most appropriate professional term to complete the sentence.

10. The sudden drop in voltage was caused by a sudden _____ in demand. a) jump / b) surge / c) leap
11. The government implemented new _____ to encourage energy efficiency. a) rules / b) regulations / c) orders
12. The smart grid helps to _____ energy consumption across the city. a) optimize / b) make better / c) fix up

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Challenge of Intermittency

The primary obstacle to a fully renewable energy system is intermittency. Unlike coal or gas, which can be burned at a constant rate, solar and wind energy production fluctuates based on weather conditions. This creates a mismatch between when energy is produced and when it is actually consumed.

To mitigate this, engineers are developing "smart grids"—digitalised electricity networks that use IoT (Internet of Things) sensors to balance supply and demand in real-time. Additionally, large-scale battery storage is becoming essential to capture excess energy during peak production. While the initial capital expenditure is high, the long-term benefits of energy security and environmental preservation are undeniable. However, the transition requires not just technological innovation, but also a complete overhaul of existing infrastructure and political will.

Instructions (Spanish): Basándote en la información del texto, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (180-220 palabras). Debes argumentar si crees que la tecnología (como las smart grids) es suficiente para resolver la crisis energética, o si los cambios sociales y políticos son más importantes. Utiliza el vocabulario de la unidad y las estructuras de preguntas indirectas/cláusulas integradas aprendidas.

Speaking checkpoint

Answer the following prompts. For a full C1 practice, record yourself or speak aloud for 2-3 minutes per prompt.

1. Compare: Compare the advantages of large-scale hydroelectric power versus small-scale solar installations in rural areas.
2. Speculate: How might the daily lives of citizens change if smart grids were implemented in every household?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the effectiveness of government subsidies in promoting renewable energy. Are they a sustainable solution?
4. Justify: Some argue that nuclear energy is a necessary "bridge" to a green future. Justify or refute this position.
5. Compare: Compare the reliability of traditional power plants with the potential of modern battery storage technology.
6. Speculate: In fifty years, do you think fossil fuels will be entirely obsolete? Why or why not?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. I wondered where the nearest wind farm was located. 2. She asked whether the government had subsidised solar panels the previous year. 3. The engineer wanted to know if the smart grid was capable of handling the surge in demand. 4. ...where the hydroelectric plant stands (or stood). 5. ...asked me why the energy prices... (Remove 'that'). 6. Correct. 7. I was wondering how much the transition to green energy would cost. 8. Could you tell me when the new battery storage facility would be operational? 9. It remains to be seen whether the smart grid will prevent blackouts. 10. A question remains as to why fossil fuel reliance is still so high.

Vocabulary activation 1. fossil 2. renewable 3. grid 4. carbon 5. green 6. reliability 7. solution 8. construction 9. inevitability 10. b) surge 11. b) regulations 12. a) optimize