UNIT 2.15 - conserve | renewable | invest | proceed | maximize

Oct 16, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk

Unit 2.15 focuses on the vocabulary words conserve, renewable, invest, proceed, and maximize through a reading passage and classroom activities. The text examines BigBelly solar-powered trash cans, evaluates whether cities should invest in expensive green technologies, and compares renewable energy contributions in the U.S. using percentage data. It then reinforces word meanings with sample sentences and prompts learners to discuss conservation and renewable-energy policy decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

USE THE FOCUS WORDS

conserve

renewable

invest

proceed

maximize

DO THE MATH

THINK SCIENTIFICALLY

Word Generation UNIT 2.15 conserve | renewable | invest | proceed | maximize This week’s issue: © 2015 As Amanda walked through the park, she noticed a big new trash can called a BigBelly. When she looked it upon the web, it turned out to cost $6,000! The BigBelly has a solar-powered compactor inside, so it maximizes the amount of trash contained while minimizing the number of times it needs to be emptied. The BigBelly is one of many“green technologies” now available. But does it make sense to invest so much money in them? City managersand mayors say that each BigBelly will pay for itself in three years, because they only need to be emptied once a week. Traditional trash cans get emptied once or twice a day, at a cost of about $2,000 a year each, and the trucks that travel around to empty them use gasoline and pollute the air. Nonetheless, buying a lot of BigBelly cans could punch a big hole in any city’s budget! The BigBelly uses a renewable energy source, the sun. Many other renewable technologies are under development. Some people are putting solar panels on their roofs, and switching from electricity produced with coal or gas to solar-powered electricity. Solar-powered cars and planes are under development. Solar-powered light strips have been installed on some rural highways; once in place, the strips run for free and rarely require maintenance. Investors are developing solar panels that can replace the asphalt on highways; these panels use solar power to generate heat (so that ice and snow melt immediately), light (so that streetlamps are unnecessary), and extra electricity for nearby towns and cities. Investment in these solar technologies is expensive. The Department of Transportation gave $100,000 to the solar pavement project, but several million more will be needed just to finish the development. Is it worth investing in such expensive technologies? Should we proceed to invest in technologies that may never be practical on a large scale? Shouldn’t we conserve public funds for more immediate needs, like improving schools and fixing potholes? What if we develop green technologies but lack the funds to proceed with using them? How high a price should we pay for green technology? Word Generation | Series [2B | Unit 2.15 | wordgeneration.org](2B | Unit 2.15 | wordgeneration.org) 85 UNIT 2.15 conserve | renewable | invest | proceed | maximize USE THE FOCUS WORDS conserve (verb) to protect from loss Sample Sentence: Jose and Rachel carefully conserved their water as they hiked through the desert. Turn and Talk: What are three things you can do to conserve water at home? renewable (adjective) able to be replaced Sample Sentence: Nations around the world are investing in renewable energy. Turn and Talk: Describe what is meant when people talk about “renewable resources.” What are some examples? invest (verb) to put money or resources toward something, expecting a future benefit Sample Sentence: Research institutions invest a lot of money into programs for recycling, water purification, and renewable energy. Turn and Talk: What can young people do to invest in their futures? proceed (verb) to move forward Sample Sentence: Since the road was under construction, many signs alerted drivers to “proceed with caution.” Turn and Talk: Has the school year proceeded according to your expectations? Explain. maximize (verb) to increase to the greatest possible amount Sample Sentence: Green technology can help conserve the natural environment and maximize resources. Turn and Talk: How do you maximize the amount of sleep you get on school nights? © 2015 Word Generation | Series [2B | Unit 2.15 | wordgeneration.org](2B | Unit 2.15 | wordgeneration.org) 86 UNIT 2.15 conserve | renewable | invest | proceed | maximize DO THE MATH As Americans worry about conserving resources, more people are thinking about renewable energy. The Obama administration promised to proceed

FAQs

What does the unit explain about BigBelly trash cans and why cities might invest in them?

BigBelly uses a solar-powered compactor to minimize how often it needs emptying, and the passage argues city managers believe it can pay for itself in about three years. It also notes that buying many could strain a city budget.

How does the unit define and use the focus word “conserve”?

“Conserve” is defined as protecting from loss. The sample sentence describes conserving water while hiking through a desert.

What math question does the unit ask about renewable energy from wind?

It states that 9% of energy consumption comes from renewable sources and that 13% of that comes from wind, then asks what percent of total energy consumption is from wind.

Oct 16, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk