ACTIVITY: LINKING WORDS

Instructions: In the following article on Nuclear Hazards the linking words are replaced by 'choose word
a, b or c'. You must choose the most appropriate words.

There are three separate sources of hazard related to the use of nuclear reactors to supply us with energy. (a)
So (b) Firstly or (c) Rather, the radioactive material must travel from its place of manufacture to the power
station. (a) Secondly (b) But (c) Although the power stations themselves are solidly built the containers used
for the transport of the material are not. Unfortunately, there are normally only two methods of transport
available, (a) For example (b) Such as (c) Namely road or rail, and both of these involve close contact with the
general public, (a) Because of (b) Although (c) Since the routes are bound to pass near, or even through,
heavily populated areas.

(a) Secondly (b) Thirdly (c) In that case, the, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce
wastes, which in most cases will remain radioactive for thousands of years. It is impossible to de-activate these
wastes, (a) in addition (b) and so (c) but they must be stored in one of the ingenious but cumbersome ways
that scientists have invented. (a) By the way (b) Lastly (c) However, they may be buried under the ground,
dropped into disused mineshafts, or sunk in the sea. (a) By the way (b) Lastly (c) However, these methods do
not solve the problem; they merely store it, (a) Though (b) Since (c) After an earthquake could crack open the
containers like nuts.

(a) Thirdly (b) Also (c) For instance, there is the problem of accidental exposure due to a leak or an explosion
at the power station. As with the other two hazards, this is extremely unlikely and (a) So (b) Instead (c) Even
does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear programme, (a) Although (b) Nevertheless (c) But, it can
happen, as the inhabitants of Harrisburg will tell you. Separately, and during short periods, these three types of
risk are no great cause for concern. (a) However (b) And (c) Also, taken together, and especially over much
longer periods, the probability of a disaster is extremely high.

Answers:

There are three separate sources of hazard related to the use of nuclear reactors to supply us with energy. Firstly, the
radioactive material must travel from its place of manufacture to the power station. Although the power stations themselves
are solidly built the containers used for the transport of the material are not. Unfortunately, there are normally only two
methods of transport available, namely road or rail, and both of these involve close contact with the general public, since
the routes are bound to pass near, or even through, heavily populated areas.

Secondly, the, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce wastes, which in most cases will remain
radioactive for thousands of years. It is impossible to de-activate these wastes, and so they must be stored in one of the
ingenious but cumbersome ways that scientists have invented. For example, they may be buried under the ground,
dropped into disused mineshafts, or sunk in the sea. However, these methods do not solve the problem; they merely store
it, since an earthquake could crack open the containers like nuts.

Thirdly, there is the problem of accidental exposure due to a leak or an explosion at the power station. As with the other
two hazards, this is extremely unlikely and so does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear programme,
nevertheless, it can happen, as the inhabitants of Harrisburg will tell you. Separately, and during short periods, these three
types of risk are no great cause for concern. However, taken together, and especially over much longer periods, the
probability of a disaster is extremely high.