DISCUSSION TEXT

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER

Nuclear power is generated by using uranium which is metal mined in various part of the world. The first nuclear chain reaction was produced on December 2, 1942, at the University of Chicago. In 1951, the first experimental breeder reactor was built near Idaho Falls.

The first large scale of nuclear power station in the United States was completed in 1957, in Shippingport near Pittsburg.

Some military ships and submarines have nuclear power plants for engine. Nuclear power produces around 11% of the world’s energy needed, and produces huge amounts of energy. It causes no pollution as we could get when burning fossil fuels. If nuclear energy is fully developed, it could supply all the world’s electricity for millions of years.

The advantages of a nuclear plant are as follows:

• It uses much less fuel than does a fossil fuel plant.
• It does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
• It produces huge amount of energy from a small amount of uranium.
• It produces a small amount of waste.
• It is reliable.

On the other hand, a nuclear power is very, very dangerous. The hot waste water from a nuclear plant is dumped into lakes and streams. This can harm animals and plants that live at lower temperature. Another problem involves disposal of fission products, the radioactive wastes produced by reactors. They must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Furthermore, although it is reliable, a lot of money has to be spent on safety, because if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident can be a major accident. People are increasingly concerned about this matter. In the 1990’s, nuclear reactor was the fastest growing source of power in many parts of the world.

1. Which of the following nuclear energy is not beneficial to people?

A.    It does not pollute the air.

B.     It could supply electricity.

C.     It produces radioactive wastes.

D.    It produces huge amounts of energy.

E.     It needs a small amount of uranium.

2. The first large scale of nuclear power station was opened in …..

A.    1942

B.     1951

C.     1956

D.    1957

E.     1990

3. The purpose of the text above is …..

A.    to report about nuclear energy

B.     to tell how people create nuclear energy

C.     to describe about the process of producing nuclear energy

D.    to inform the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy

E.     to persuade reader to refuse the establishment of nuclear power plant

4. Which of the following is not the most probable reason for refusing the establishment of a nuclear power plants?

A.    It releases carbon dioxide.

B.     It produces huge amount of energy.

C.     The radioactive wastes are very dangerous.

D.    It needs a great expense to build a nuclear power plant.

E.     The hot water dumped into lakes and streams kill plants and animals.