EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Lecture Related Vocabulary
Before you listen to the lecture, study the words below.
prehistoric (adj): relating to the period before historical records
decay (v): to rot; to fall apart
irreparable (adj): unable to be restored or put back to normal
risky (adj): dangerous; possibly leading to a negative outcome
fume (n): a cloud of small particles in a gas
retain (v): to keep; to prevent from escaping
untold (adj): too severe to be described
mobility (n): the ability to move
starvation (n): the condition of being without food or nutrition to the point of death
locate (v): to find; to discover
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Step 1 – Listening
Listen to a lecture on “fossil fuels” and take notes.
(Link: [Link]
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
By using your notes, fill in the blanks of the note diagram below with the keywords or
key phrases shown. Not all of the words or phrases will be used.
marine
acid rain
global
alternative
pollution
environment
solar
Key issue: fossil fuels harm the 1) _________
How:
- Causes air 2) _________
- Contributes to 3) _________ warming [natural disasters]
- 4) _________ damages crops and drinking
- Oil spills harm 5) _________ animals
Contributing factors: - Fuels will become more expensive
- More dangerous to extract
Solution:
- Seek 6) _________ energy sources
- examples: 7) _________/wind power
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Reading Related Vocabulary
Before you listen to the reading text, study the words.
extract (v): to pull out of; to take out of
refine (v): to make pure
condemn (v): to declare something to be wrong
impact (n): an effect; an influence
emission (n): something that is sent out
alternative (n): a different choice or option
abundant (adj): plentiful; more than enough
reserve (n): an amount or supply remaining
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Step 2 – Reading
Now read the following passage.
"Fossil fuels" is the term we use to describe coal, oil, and natural gas. We extract these
substances from the Earth to create energy from them. After being extracted, the products are then
refined. This process changes them into usable forms like petroleum gas. This gas powers vehicles
like cars and airplanes, and other machines in factories. It can also be used to create electricity.
Consequently, fossil fuels are an extremely valuable natural resource. However, many
environmentalists condemn their use because it has a negative impact on the environment.
"Emissions" from car exhaust such as carbon monoxide are very harmful to our health. Some
scientists think the emissions cause global warming. Scientists and politicians argue about
continuing to use fossil fuels.
The fact is, we have no economical alternative to fossil fuels. We also have an abundant supply.
Observers estimate that at our present rate of consumption, our reserves of fossil fuel should last
300 years. Many countries' economies rely on the income generated from the sale of their oil
reserves.
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Look at the note diagram and fill in the blanks with the information provided in the passage.
Issue: Continued use of 1) ________ fuels as 2) ________ source.
Pro: 3) ________ supply
Relatively 4) ________
5) ________ to extract
6) ________ rely on them
Con: 7) ________ impact on environment.
Car 8) ________ harm human 9) ________
May cause 10) ________ warming
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Step 3 – Reviewing Your Notes
Review your notes from both the reading and the lecture. Pay attention to the main
ideas and supporting details. Rewrite the ideas as complete sentences.
A) Reading:
Main idea: E.g. ______________________________________________________________
Supporting idea: E.g. __________________________________________________________
Supporting idea: E.g. __________________________________________________________
B) Lecture:
Main idea: E.g. ______________________________________________________________
Supporting idea: E.g. __________________________________________________________
Supporting idea: E.g. __________________________________________________________
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
Step 4 – Writing
Use the main ideas and details from Steps 1, 2, and 3 to complete the passage. Include
information from both the reading and the lecture.
According to the reading, 1) ______________ fuels are a 2) ______________ natural resource.
We use 3) ______________ fossil fuels to power vehicles and airplanes or to create
4) ______________. The reading states that we have no economical 5) ______________ to
fossil fuels. The writer argues that fossil fuels are 6) ______________ cheap and plentiful and
can be 7) ______________ extracted from the Earth. He also argues that many countries have
economies that 8) ______________ on 9) ______________ sales. On the other hand, the
speaker believes the continued use of fossil fuels will cause irreparable
10) ______________ damage to the planet. He argues that burning fossil fuels causes
11) ______________ pollution and 12) ______________ warming. Global warming could lead
to natural disasters like floods, 13) ______________, or droughts. Burning fossil fuels also
causes 14) ______________ rain and poisons crops and 15) ______________ water. He also
mentions oil spills from tankers that harm 16) ______________ life. The speaker suggests that
fossil fuels are going to become more expensive to use and more 17) ______________ to
extract in the future. He recommends that we find 18) ______________ sources of energy such
as 19) ______________ or wind power.
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
ANSWER KEY
Step 1
1. environment
2. pollution
3. global
4. acid rain
5. marine
6. alternative
7. solar
Step 2
1. fossil
2. energy
3. plentiful
4. cheap
5. safe
6. economies
7. negative
8. emissions
9. health
10. global
Step 3
A) Reading:
Main idea: E.g. Fossil fuels are a valuable natural energy source.
Supporting idea: E.g. There is a plentiful supply.
Supporting idea: E.g. We have no economical alternative.
EPE Practice
Guided Performance Task 1
B) Lecture:
Main idea: E.g. The use of fossil fuels is environmentally damaging and dangerous.
Supporting idea: E.g. Emissions from fossil fuels cause global warming, acid rain, etc.
Step 4
1. fossil 11. air
2. valuable 12. global
3. refined 13. hurricanes
4. electricity 14. acid
5. alternative 15. drinking
6. relatively 16. marine
7. safely 17. dangerous
8. rely 18. alternative
9. oil 19. solar
10. environmental
Adapted from: Mckinnon, N. & Edmunds, P., 2016 ‘‘Developing Skills for the TOEFL IBT
Intermediate’’, pp. 486-8
