Read the passage and answer the questions no. 1.

Countries of the world rely heavily on petroleum, coal and natural gas for their energy sources. There are two major types of energy sources: renewable and non-renewable. Hydro-carbon or fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy. Reliance on them poses real big problems. First, fossil fuels such as oil, coal, gas, etc, are finite energy resources and the world eventually will run out of them. Secondly, they will become too expensive in the coming decades and too damaging for the environment. Thirdly fossil fuels have direct polluting impacts on earth's environment causing global warming, In contrast renewable energy sources such as, wind and solar energy are constantly and naturally replenished and never run out. Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight or solar energy can be used for heating and lighting homes, for generating electricity and for other commercial and industrial uses. The sun's heat drives the wind and this wind energy can be captured with wind turbines to produce electricity. Then the wind and the sun's heat cause water to evaporate. When this water vapour turns into rain or snow and flows downhill into rivers or streams. Its energy can be captured as hydroelectric energy.

Along with the rain and snow, sunlight causes plants to grow. Plants produce biomass which again can be turned into fuels such as firewood, alcohol, etc. identified as bioenergy.

Scientists have identified Hydrogen as another form of renewable energy source. It is the most abundant element in nature. But it does not exist separately as a gas. It is always combined with other elements, such as with oxygen to make water. Hydrogen, separated from another element, can be burned as a fuel to produce electricity.

Our Earth's interior contains molten lava which gives off extreme heat. This heat inside the Earth produces steam and hot water which can be tapped as geothermal energy to produce electricity for heating homes, etc. Ocean energy comes from several sources. Ocean's force of tide and wave can be used to produce energy. The surface of the ocean gets more heat from the sun than the ocean depths. This temperature difference can be used as energy source too.

Answer the following questions.

Question Type: Reading Comprehension (Multiple Choice Question)

Topic: Energy Sources (Renewable and Non-renewable Energy)

Target Audience: Secondary School Certificate (SSC) students (Class 9-10)

Skill Assessed: The question assesses the student's ability to read and comprehend a given English passage, extract specific information, and identify the correct factual detail among multiple alternatives. It requires understanding of concepts related to different types of energy sources, their characteristics, and environmental impacts as described in the text.

Format: Students are presented with a passage and then asked to choose the correct answer from a set of alternatives, which are not provided in the input but are implied by the instruction "Choose the correct answer from the alternatives".

Renewable energy sources are those that are constantly and naturally replenished and never run out. These sources, such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy, are sustainable and virtually inexhaustible. Most renewable energy originates either directly or indirectly from the sun. They offer a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, which are finite and harmful to the environment, thus helping to mitigate global warming.

Renewable energy sources are more advantageous than non-renewable energy because they are constantly and naturally replenished, ensuring they will never run out. In contrast, non-renewable sources like fossil fuels are finite and will eventually be depleted, becoming too expensive.

Furthermore, renewable energy sources are generally less damaging to the environment. Fossil fuels have direct polluting impacts, causing global warming, whereas renewable options such as wind and solar energy offer cleaner alternatives, mitigating adverse environmental effects.

Electric energy is necessary for us to lighting and heating homes. We also use it for commercial and industrial uses.

The ocean is a crucial source of renewable energy, offering several ways to generate power as described in the passage. Its vastness and constant motion make it a promising alternative to finite energy resources.

According to the passage, ocean energy primarily comes from two distinct sources. One major source is the powerful force generated by the ocean's tides and waves. These consistent movements of water can be harnessed to produce energy. Another significant source is the temperature difference between the ocean's surface and its depths. The surface water absorbs more heat from the sun, making it warmer than the deeper layers, and this thermal gradient can also be utilized for energy generation.

The kinetic energy from the rhythmic rise and fall of tides and the continuous movement of waves can be converted into usable electricity through technologies like tidal barrages or wave energy converters. Additionally, the thermal energy stored in the ocean, stemming from the temperature disparity, can be captured via processes such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), which uses the temperature difference to drive a heat engine and generate electricity.

In essence, by leveraging both the mechanical energy of its movements and the thermal energy from solar absorption, the ocean provides a sustainable and diverse platform for contributing to the world's renewable energy portfolio, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.