Name:_________________________________________Mod__________Date___________pg_
Oil and Its Uses
Part I Directions: Oil is a resource that is central to many cultures, though we are often not
aware of its impact on our daily lives. As you read the following paragraphs,
underline goods made from oil or oil products. Then, create a subheading
that summarizes the topic of each paragraph.
1. ________________________
Approximately 77 million barrels of oil are consumed everyday, worldwide. The demand for oil
continues to increase as countries develop and populations increase. Typically, when we think
about oil, we think of oil as a heating source, or a fuel for transportation. What is less often
considered is how oil is used in the production and manufacturing of goods and services,
especially those used on a regular basis.
2. ________________________
How much oil did you eat today? In order to raise, and harvest the large quantities of grain, fruit,
and vegetables required to feed the world’s population, agribusiness currently uses oil in every
phase of production. To increase the amount of crops grown, synthetic fertilizers, made from oil,
are used. To protect crops from pests, oil based pesticides are used. Feed for cattle and poultry
also depends on fertilizers and pesticides. To increase the shelf-life of canned foods, additives,
made from petrochemicals, or materials made from substances found in oil or natural gas, are
used.
3. ________________________
Is your house built of oil? The tiles used for roofs and the tar paper, used in the construction of
homes, are both made with petrochemicals. Man-made fibers, such as rayon, nylon, and
polyester, used in curtain and carpets are petroleum based materials. The dyes used in the
production of pen ink are also petrochemicals. A by-product of distilling oil, ethylene, can be
made into a soft substance, used for garbage bags, and a harder substance, used to make products
like milk crates. Wax is a raw petroleum product and is used to make candles, milk cartons, and
polishes. All plastic products are made from petrochemicals. Much of American culture depends
on plastic made materials. The following are commonly used products made from plastic:
 computer keyboards
 toothbrushes
 compact disc players
 food containers
 telephones
 water bottles
 alarm clocks
 combs
 picture frames
 window blinds
 printers
 DVD and CD casings
 video game consoles
4. ________________________
How much oil does it take to cure a cold? Many medications require petroleum for their
manufacture. Most medicines are made from chemicals, and many of these chemicals are
petroleum products. Acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA, is the active ingredient in many well-known
over-the-counter pain relievers. ASA is made from petrochemicals.
5. ________________________
Did you ride on oil today? Once produced, goods must be transported. On average, much of our
food travels 1200 to 1500 miles before it reaches our homes. One hundred gallons of oil is used
to make the plastic parts of one truck. The roads trucks use to transport these items are usually
made of asphalt, another product made from petroleum. Even the tires on the trucks are made
from a synthetic rubber and the material is petroleum based.
Part II Directions:
Use your subheadings to write three generalizations about the importance
of oil to the world.
1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________