Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
The green building movement, which began in the 1970s, is changing construction methods. At first, the idea of reducing the environmental impact of buildings was thought as impractical. However, the movement has become popular with new technologies.
Green builders use recycled materials to reduce waste. They also switch to alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, to get electricity without pollution. Furthermore, better natural lighting and low-energy bulbs help save energy. Insulation in walls keep rooms at comfortable temperatures, without using much electricity for heating and cooling.
A good model of this eco-friendly design is the Genzyme Center in Cambridge. Its design is good for the people inside and reduces environmental impact, reaching a 75% use of recycled materials and a 43% decrease in energy consumption compared to traditional buildings.
In the world, a lot of similar projects are being developed. One famous design is in Germany, where they turn a military site into homes that use 30% less energy than traditional houses. In China, a company has built homes for 400 families with solar energy and recycled materials.
The construction of green buildings is expanding all over the world. People are recognizing the benefits of green buildings, which not only improve living and working conditions but also save money.
(Adapted from Advanced Reading Power by Beatrice S. Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)
