Practice mode Reading Comprehension

In the passage about regenerative braking, what does the word ‘harnessing’ most nearly mean?

Read the passage: In an ordinary car, pressing the brake pedal squeezes pads against discs on the wheels, and the car's energy of motion is turned into heat that simply escapes into the air. Many electric and hybrid cars use a cleverer system called regenerative braking. When the driver slows down, the electric motor runs in reverse as a generator, harnessing some of the car's motion to produce electricity that is fed back into the battery. This recovered energy can then be used to drive the car further. Regenerative braking is especially effective in stop-start city traffic, where vehicles slow down frequently. It also reduces wear on the ordinary brakes, which are still fitted for sudden stops.

Correct answer A. Capturing and putting to use

Explanation

The motor uses the car's motion to produce electricity that is fed back into the battery, so harnessing means capturing energy and putting it to use.

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Answer checked 11 October 2026 How we write and check questions

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Correct answer D. Shrinking back up the valley

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Open question

In the passage about regenerative braking, what does the word ‘harnessing’ most nearly mean?

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