Energy and Natural Resources Mid Unit Assessment - The positives and negatives of Fossil Fuels
Should the UK abandon its use of fossil fuels?
For this levelled assessment you need to write a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron EITHER;
a) Explaining why we should stop the use of fossil fuels for either nuclear fuels or renewable fuels OR
b) Explaining why Britain should continue to use fossil fuels to produce our electricity
Within your letter you should;
1. Include an introduction describing what fossil fuels are and what
alternative sources of energy exist. Tell the Prime minister why he needs
to consider the energy issue. You should consider including definitions
and examples here, plus consider the difference between renewable and
non-renewable energy resources.
2. Evaluate both the positives and negatives of fossil fuels. Each point
that you make should follow the PEE method – a clear Point, backed
with Explanation (reasons why) which is supported by factual Evidence. Consider using SEE as well, the
Social, Economic and Environmental impacts of fossil fuel use to gain top levels.
3. Then provide an EVIDENCE based opinion for the conclusion to your letter, answering the title question.
To gain really great marks, you will need to research extra information to that given to you in class, and keep a record of
those information sources (book titles, web site addresses etc.), and include some factual information. Include as many
arguments as possible and include a range of persuasive writing styles and phrases.
Tips from the English department! Use AAFORREEST;
A/A
ALLITERATION/AUDIENCE
INVOLVEMENT
F
FACTS
O
OPINIONS
R/R
REPETITION / RHETORICAL
QUESTION
E/E
EMOTIVE
LANGUAGE/EXAGGERATION
S
STATISTICS
T
THREE (RULE OF)
Words, questions and phrases to
use
Have you considered….?
I think this because….
The good thing for you in this is….
This brings huge benefits
because…
Why do we…..?
A huge benefit of this is……
This would be incredible
because….
This advantage links to ……
The alternative option …..is not
good because…
Some of the Pros and cons of using fossil fuels;
Fossil fuels also give out sulphur dioxide into the air, which after
reacting with the moisture in air, produces sulphuric acid and
leads to acid rain. Acid rain causes severe damage to the living
as well as nonliving matter on the earth.
Fossil fuels have a high calorific value. In other words,
combustion of fossil fuels generates a large amount of usable
energy and are considered as high efficiency fuels.
Prices for fossil fuels are going up as they run out.
The search for newer location for oil reserves is a highly
expensive process with a very low success rate. As a result,
large amounts of money get wasted in the process.
Coal is cheap and highly reliable source of energy.
Due to mining of the coalfields, landscapes spread over large
areas are being destroyed and cannot be used for any other
purpose.
Coal is easy to transport from one place to another, and oil and
gas can be moved by pipelines
Oil is often transported from one place to another by the means of
sea route. During this oil spills occur on the ocean surface and that
causes severe harm to the marine life.
On burning of fossil fuels, large amount of carbon dioxide is released
into the atmosphere. This can cause global warming
Fossil fuels are stable in nature
Fossil fuels are non renewable source of energy and are being used
up very fast.
Fossil fuels are more easily available as compared to any other fuels.
Fossil fuels generate millions of jobs world wide
Some of the by products obtained during processing of the fossil fuels
are highly toxic too.
More help is available in the Year 8 area of http://www.coolgeography.co.uk
Energy and Natural Resources Mid Unit Assessment - The positives and negatives of Fossil Fuels
How you will be assessed
Aspect
Background
to the Fossil
Fuels Issue
Levels 3 & 4
You give basic
Descriptions of what
renewable and non
renewable resources,
and fossil fuels are
You begin to describe
what the issue is
Construction
Writing is largely
of response – statements from the
how well
table above
Written is the
work? Does
Points are not well
it PEE and supported by evidence or
SEE? (see
explanation
instructions
above)
Few SEE points made
There is little attempt to
link information together,
Level 5
You give good
descriptions of what
renewable and non
renewable resources,
and fossil fuels are
Level 6
You give clear
descriptions of what
renewable and non
renewable resources,
and fossil fuels are
You outline some
You give several
reasons for the need to
reasons for the need
consider the energy issue to consider the energy
issue
Reasonable description
and explanation of the
pros and cons of fossil
fuel use and renewable
fuels.
You will use a piece of
your own research
evidence.
Clear SEE points made
mainly supported by
evidence and
explanation.
Well-structured and
accurate description
and explanation of the
pros and cons of fossil
fuel use and
renewable fuels.
You will use a piece of
your own research
evidence.
A good range of SEE
points made
supported by evidence
and explanation.
Few links are made
One or 2 ideas are
linked together
Conclusions There is little in the way A conclusion has been
A good conclusion has
of conclusion, either
written, giving reasons
been written,
barely existing at the
for opinions on which
justifying opinions on
bottom of these levels or
type of energy
which type of energy
offering weak opinions at production is best. The
production is best.
the top. The elements of conclusion is likely to be
Both side of the
the task are not all
one sided or unbalanced. argument have been
included.
discussed and
unpopular choices
dismissed.
Conclusions are largely
based upon opinion and
little evidence.
Sustainability of the
society, economy or
environment are briefly
considered in answer to
the title question.
Conclusions are based
upon some evidence.
Sustainability of the
society, economy and
environment are
considered in answer
to the title question,
but not in a balanced
and equal way
Level 7
You give excellent
descriptions of what
renewable and non
renewable resources,
and fossil fuels are
You outline and
interlink many reasons
for the need to
consider the energy
issue. Consideration of
scale (national,
continental and world)
is in your letter.
Well detailed, Wellstructured and
accurate description
and explanation of the
pros and cons of fossil
fuel use and
renewable fuels.
You will use some of
your own research
evidence.
A good range of SEE
points made
supported by evidence
and explanation.
Ideas are often
interlinked.
A good conclusion has
been written,
justifying opinions on
which type of energy
production is best.
Both side of the
argument have been
discussed and
unpopular choices
dismissed.
Conclusions are based
upon evidence.
Sustainability of the
society, economy and
environment are
considered in answer
to the title question.
Level 7 +
You give excellent
descriptions of what
renewable and non
renewable
resources, and
fossil fuels are
You outline and
interlink many
reasons for the
need to consider
the energy issue.
The energy issue is
considered at
several scales
(national,
continental and
world)
Highly detailed,
Well structured and
accurate description
and explanation of
the pros and cons
of fossil fuel use
and renewable
fuels.
You will go well
beyond the data
provided using your
own research
evidence.
A wide range of
SEE points made
supported by
evidence and
explanation.
Ideas are
thoroughly
interlinked.
A thorough
conclusion has been
written, fully
justifying opinions
on which type of
energy production
is best. Both side
of the argument
have been
discussed and
unpopular choices
dismissed.
Conclusions are
clearly based upon
evidence.
Sustainability of the
society, economy
and environment
are key features of
the answer to the
title question.
More help is available in the Year 8 area of http://www.coolgeography.co.uk