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5581650-179705Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________ Going GreenGREENSBURG, Kansas A year after it was practically destroyed by a tornado, Greensburg, Kansas, is rising again. It's going green, too, with solar panels, wind turbines, tinted windows, water-saving toilets, and other energy-efficient technology. Environmentalists and civic leaders have seized on the disaster as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-engineer the town. Now, new houses and buildings are being built with the planet in mind. On May 4, 2007, a ferocious twister hit Greensburg. It flattened many of the town's early 20th-century brick buildings, as well as its Victorian and prairie-style houses. The twister was nearly two miles wide with winds up to 318 miles per hour. In all, 95 percent of the town's homes and businesses were destroyed. Since the storm, about half the stricken town's residents have yet to come back. Vital local businesses, such as a full-service grocery store, have not returned. Jobs are scarce. But Greensburg is showing signs of life. The water tower has been rebuilt. The town's single traffic light has been replaced. Homes and businesses are being rebuilt, too, but not in the usual way. Returning homeowners and businesses are being encouraged to think "green" and use more energy-efficient technologies as they rebuild. "I would never say the tornado happening was a good thing. I would never wish that on anybody," said Kim Alderfer, assistant city manager. "But given the opportunity, we have to do it right, to make it better." About 40 homes in Greensburg have already been built to environmentally friendly standards. They have added insulation, double-pane windows, and high-efficiency lights. Some buildings have extra-large, south-facing windows for extra light and heat from sunlight. Many returning homeowners are also using recycled materials, including lumber and bricks salvaged from the twister. Builders are installing energy-saving lights, rainwater collection systems, and water-efficient faucets, showerheads, toilets, and appliances. A few homes will also have solar panels to provide power. In addition, the John Deere farm equipment dealership has put up a wind turbine. The town's brand-new arts center has one, too. And the town government has resolved to construct public buildings that meet the strict LEED Platinum standards for energy-efficient design. LEED Platinum buildings cost about 5 percent more to construct. But they generally save 30 to 50 percent on energy bills. Greensburg resident Kathy Doherty, 53, recently moved into her newly built house. She and her husband rebuilt their house with an efficient hot water heater and insulation to cut their energy costs. Many rebuilding homeowners are also bracing for the next big storm by installing tornado-fortified walls and underground storm shelters. "You don't experience a storm like this and come out of it with an attitude of [calm]," said Daniel Wallach. Wallach is executive director of Greensburg GreenTown. GreenTown is a nonprofit group that is providing townspeople with technical assistance, a library of materials, classes, and other help in rebuilding in an environmentally friendly way. Town leaders hope that Greensburg's green efforts will serve as a model for rural towns across the U.S. The town has already received national attention. News crews have broadcast live from Greensburg. The PlanetGreen network created a TV series about the town. President Bush delivered the high school commencement address. "Greensburg, Kansas, is back and its best days are ahead," said President Bush. "It will be a stronger, better, greener community," said Erica Goodman, a newly elected city councilwoman. "I think the green [effort] is really what will set Greensburg apart from every other rural community in the United States."Update Going green has not only made the town of Greensburg, Kansas, friendlier to the environment; it has also made it cooler, according to readers of Budget Travel magazine. Greensburg has been voted the 10th coolest small town in America. Readers nominated 80 towns for the distinction. The magazine then picked 20 finalists, and readers voted among them for the winner. Budget Travel, which has been putting together a list of coolest towns every year for the last five years, will not accept just any town as a nominee. Selections must have a population of fewer than 10,000 people. They must also be on the upswing, meaning that there's something about the town that is drawing attention and contributing to the town's success. In some towns, this means having great restaurants or theaters. Whatever makes a town cool, Budget Travel says, it's got to be something modern—something that will likely lead to a bright future. Greensburg, with its environmentally friendly buildings, certainly seems to fit that descriptionDictionarycomplacency (noun) a feeling of quiet pleasure or securitystricken (adjective) deeply or very badly affected by something such as grief, misfortune, or troubleeffort (noun) work needed to get something doneenergy-efficient (adjective) energy-saving; using as little energy as possible Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)1. According to the article, why has the town of Greensburg resolved to meet LEED Platinum standards when it builds public buildings?LEED Platinum buildings will save 30 to 50 percent on energy bills.LEED Platinum buildings require less insulation than regular buildings.LEED Platinum buildings are more attractive than regular buildings.LEED Platinum buildings are known to survive most tornadoes. 2. What is this article mainly about?In Greensburg, Kansas, a nonprofit organization is helping residents get by after being hit by a powerful tornado.Greensburg, Kansas, has been visited by news crews, a television network, and the president of the United States.Greensburg, Kansas, is encouraging homes and businesses to rebuild "green" after being hit by a powerful tornado.In Greensburg, Kansas, a woman named Erica Goodman has been elected to serve on the city council. 3. Based on information in the article, which of these must have happened last?Residents began to think "green" as they rebuilt their homes in Greensburg, Kansas.A twister flattened many 20th-century brick buildings in Greensburg, Kansas.The full-service grocery store was closed down in Greensburg, KansasKathy Doherty and her husband moved into their rebuilt home in Greensburg, Kansas. 4. Which is the closest antonym for the word fortified?WondrousWeakenedConsumed Contagious 5. The author probably wrote this article in order to __________.Convince the reader that it is essential that all new buildings are built "green"Describe efforts to rebuild a tornado-flattened town in an environmentally friendly wayDescribe the typical effects of a twister with winds up to 318 miles per hourCompare the energy savings of Greensburg's original and rebuilt public buildings 6. Which of these is a statement of opinion?Greensburg town leaders say they want new homes to use more energy-efficient technology.Greensburg, Kansas, is the subject of a TV show on the PlanetGreen network.Greensburg, Kansas, should be considered a role model by other rural towns.Greensburg once had a larger number of brick buildings and prairie-style houses. 7. The news article states: On May 4, 2007, a ferocious twister hit Greensburg. It flattened many of the town's early 20th-century brick buildings, as well as its Victorian and prairie-style houses. . . . In all, 95 percent of the town's homes and businesses were destroyed. Which would be the closest synonym for the word ferocious?SavageScenicShrewdSerial 8. Think about the tornado in Greensburg. Which information is not in the article?The width of the tornadoThe tornado's effect on the townThe wind speed of the tornadoThe number of houses destroyedOpinion Question: Now that you have read the article suppose you were building a home in your town. How would you design it? (5 points)Thought Question: Write a summary of today's article. (5 points)Math- In 2007, a tornado hit Greensburg, Kansas. The winds reached up to 318 miles an hour. An airplane flies 532 miles an hour. How much faster is the airplane than the winds from the storm? (2 points) ................
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