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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Pressure at the Pump

Spanish Translation

This summer, millions of Americans took car trips. No matter where they went, people saw signs for high-priced gasoline.

The reason for the high prices was the rising cost of oil. Oil heats homes. It is also made into fuel for transportation.

Crude oil is a black, sticky liquid deep beneath the earth's surface. Its supply is limited. The United States buys most of its oil from other nations.

They Call It Black Gold
Higher fuel prices mean that it is more expensive to get around. Schools are struggling with the costs. School buses make 8 billion trips to and from U.S. schools each year.

Many people are trying to cut costs by driving less or by sharing rides. Some experts say it is time for U.S. drivers to trade in their big, gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles. Smaller cars use less fuel.

That would save drivers money. But there are other important savings, says Mark Cooper. He is part of a group that works to educate people about energy, health and safety.

If we burn less oil, we will pollute less. We will also need to buy less oil from other countries. "The pain at the (gas) pump is only one of the reasons that people should care," Cooper says.

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