Explanation strategies

Question 1

+ There are a number of strategies you can use to EXPLAIN SOMETHING.

+ You can define it using BE or MEANS THAT.

Answer 1

…A green roof is a roof designed so that it IS covered with soil and plants.
..A zero-energy building MEANS THAT the building has a net energy consumption of zero.

Question 2

You can also explain something by CLASSIFYING

Types of
Sort of
Kind of

Answer 2

…Coal, petroleum and natural gas are TYPES OF fossil fuels.
…Hydropower is a SORT OF energy that comes from water.
…Gasoline is one KIND OF fuel.

Question 3

You can explain something by GIVING EXAMPLES

Such as
Things like

Answer 3

…We want to become less dependent on nonrenewable resources, SUCH AS petroleum and coal.
…Food waste is THINGS LIKE vegetable cuttings a restaurant can’t use.

Question 4

You can explain something by DESCRIBING ITS PURPOSE

For
The purpose of

Answer 4

…These panels are FOR using the sun’s power to produce energy.
… THE PURPOSE OF the green roof is to reduce our energy consumption

Question 5

You can also explain something by COMPARING it with something else

Less than
In the same way
Unlike
Differs from….in that

Answer 5

…Sustainable designs produce LESS waste THAN other models.
…Plants on a green roof live IN THE SAME WAY as any other plants.
…UNLIKE renewable energy, nonrenewable energy sources are becoming scarce.
…A green roof DIFFERS FROM a normal roof, IN THAT it’s much heavier