Microplastics in water Reading Answers

Sep 9, 2024

Microplastics in water Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Microplastics in water Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total.In the first set of questions you have to match the statement with the correct initials. In the next questions you have to tell whether the statement is true or false.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers feature topics such as Microplastics in water Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

MICROPLASTICS IN WATER

There is a growing concern about the hazards plastic pollution in the marine environment can cause. Plastics pose both physical and chemical threats to wildlife

and the marine ecosystem. Although plastics in the remote gyre accumulation areas of the oceans, such as the "Pacific Gyre" or "Pacific Garbage Patch" garner the most media attention, they are not the only water bodies polluted by plastics. Plastic trash and particles are now found in most marine and terrestrial habitats including the deep sea, Great Lakes, coral reefs, beaches, rivers, and estuaries.

In contrast to other organic and inorganic marine debris, plastics and synthetic materials are typically persistent in the environment while maintaining their bioavailability. John Warner, a scientist at Cambridge University, explains the basic problem with microplastics' longevity. "Plastic objects typically fragment into progressively smaller and more numerous particles without substantial chemical degradation. It is currently unknown how long traditional plastics persist in the environment, but degradation rates may be as slow as just a few percent of carbon loss over a decade. The physical breakdown of plastics is likely to decrease in the deep sea and non-surface polar environments, where weathering is less of a factor."

It is estimated that approximately ninety per cent of the plastics in the pelagic marine environment are microplastics, which are defined as less than 5 millimetres in diameter. Microplastics arise from the fragmentation of larger pieces, as they weather from the effects of ultraviolet rays, wind and wave action. Recent information on the use of tiny plastic abrasives, commonly called microbeads or nanobeads, has shown the prevalence of micro- and nanoparticle size plastics as being pervasive in some water bodies. Doctorate student Stacey Mills describes why these plastics are such an issue. "These micro- and nanoparticle plastics. as well as other microplastics caused by fragmentation, are available for ingestion by a wide range of animals in the aquatic food web. We know that microplastic particles are entering our bodies. We also know that the particles transport molecules that are dangerous to humans at certain concentrations, but the human health effects are currently unknown and scientific evaluation of the potential impact must be an urgent area for future research." Microfibres have also been

found in bottled water, and in homes that use reverse-osmosis filters. Eighty-three per cent of samples worldwide tested positive for microscopic plastic fibres What does this disturbing news mean for our drinking water? Jennifer Dutton, a U.S. water clarity official, advised that people contact their local officials to make their voice heard. "We believe access to clean water is a human right. Make sure your city government knows that you expect them to keep your drinking water safe. Stand up and say, 'I rely on this resource. Remember that we have a structure in place to influence the cleanliness of our tap water and that is not the case with the plastic bottled water industry."

No-one is certain of the provenance of the massive amount of microfibres in our water, but there is one particularly persuasive theory. "Microfibres can enter our water supply through machine washing synthetic clothing such as fleece, polyester, and nylon, and it appears that over a third of primary microfibres that are released by machine washing synthetic clothes ultimately end up in the environment,* explains Maria Weston, director of the Fresh Water Foundation. She continues to explain that "clothing fibres are often too small to be filtered out at wastewater treatment plants and are discharged into streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean." Although nearly every type of commercial plastic is present in marine debris, floating marine debris is dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene because of their high production volumes, their broad utility, and their buoyancy.

Low-density polyethylene or linear low-density polyethylene is commonly used to

make plastic bags or six-pack rings; polypropylene is commonly used to make reusable food containers or beverage bottle caps. Most people imagine that oceanic plastic pollution is seen on the surface of the water, but researcher Stanley Wade asserts that they're wrong. "Although much of the marine debris research focuses on floating plastic debris, it is important to recognise that only approximately half of all plastic is positively buoyant. Buoyancy is dependent on the density of the material and the presence of entrapped air. After some amount of time in the ocean, floating plastic debris may become sufficiently fouled with biological growth that the density becomes greater than seawater, and it falls to the seabed." The presence of plastics has been documented throughout the water column, including on the seafloor of nearly every ocean and sea. Global trends suggest that accumulations are increasing in aquatic habitats, consistent with trends in plastic production.

Solving the global plastic pollution problem will take collaboration between individuals, companies, and governments to stop the flow of new plastic being created. Some researchers are trying to create safer plastics, however, the creation of a plastic or a plastic substitute that has many applications and is also safe for the environment if it's discarded is a challenge. It's important to try though, as plastics are so common in our lives that eliminating their use seems Impossible. Muhammad Said, a scientist in Pakistan's Institute of Clean Water, sums up the issue. "Since the problem of plastic was created exclusively by human beings through our indifference, it can be solved by human beings by paying attention to it." This may be true, but it will take a lot of research and work to remove the amount of plastic in the world's water.

Questions 28-34

Look at the following statements and the list of people below. Match each statement with the correct person's initials.

Surprisingly, a lot of plastics in the ocean sink.

Answer: SW

Supporting statement: “.....Although much of the marine debris research focuses on floating plastic debris, it is important to recognize that only approximately half of all plastic is positively buoyant.......”

Keyword: sink, seabed

Keyword location: para 6, Lines 2-6

Explanation: Stanley Wade explains that while many believe plastic debris floats on the ocean’s surface, in reality, only about half of all plastic is positively buoyant. Over time, floating plastic accumulates biological growth, becomes denser, and sinks to the seabed. This matches the statement about plastic sinking in the ocean.

Many plastic microfibres are too small to be removed by conventional water

treatment plants.

Answer: MW

Supporting statement: “......Clothing fibres are often too small to be filtered out at wastewater treatment plants and are discharged into streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean.......”

Keyword: wastewater, ocean

Keyword location: para 5, Lines 5-7

Explanation: Maria Weston discusses how microfibres from synthetic clothing are often too small to be captured by wastewater treatment plants. These fibres end up in various water bodies, matching the statement about the inability of conventional water treatment plants to filter out these microfibres.

Absorbed microplastics can carry harmful compounds into the human

body.

Answer: SM

Supporting statement: “.....We also know that the particles transport molecules that are dangerous to humans at certain concentrations........”

Keyword: compounds, human

Keyword location: para 3, Lines 8-9

Explanation: Stacey Mills discusses how microplastics can carry harmful compounds into the human body. Although the specific health effects are not yet fully understood, the fact that they transport dangerous molecules aligns with the statement.

A lack of care has created the problem of microplastics in the water.

Answer: MS

Supporting statement: “......Since the problem of plastic was created exclusively by human beings through our indifference, it can be solved by human beings by paying attention to it......”

Keyword: microplastics, human

Keyword location: para 7, Lines 3-5

Explanation: Muhammad Said emphasizes that the issue of plastic pollution is a result of human negligence. He believes that the solution lies in humans paying attention to the problem, which aligns with the statement about a lack of care leading to the microplastic problem.

Microplastics in the ocean break down very slowly.

Answer: JW

Supporting statement: “......It is currently unknown how long traditional plastics persist in the environment, but degradation rates may be as slow as just a few percent of carbon loss over a decade......”

Keyword: microplastics, slow

Keyword location: para 2, Lines 5-6

Explanation: John Warner highlights that plastics fragment into smaller particles without breaking down chemically. The slow rate of degradation suggests that microplastics persist in the environment for a long time, supporting the statement about their slow breakdown.

Bottled water has fewer safety procedures than tap water.

Answer: JD

Supporting statement: “......Remember that we have a structure in place to influence the cleanliness of our tap water and that is not the case with the plastic bottled water industry......”

Keyword: water, fewer

Keyword location: para 4, Lines 7-9

Explanation: Jennifer Dutton points out that while tap water is regulated and has safety procedures in place, bottled water does not. This aligns with the statement about bottled water having fewer safety procedures than tap water.

New studies are required on the effects that ingested microplastics have on

humans.

Answer: SM

Supporting statement: “......The human health effects are currently unknown and scientific evaluation of the potential impact must be an urgent area for future research......”

Keyword: studies, ingested

Keyword location: para 3, Lines 9-11

Explanation: Stacey Mills calls for further research to understand the effects of ingested microplastics on human health, aligning with the statement about the need for new studies.

John Warner
Stacey Mills
Jennifer Dutton
Maria Weston
Stanley Wade
Muhammad Said

Questions 35-40

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer of the text?

In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet write:

TRUE - if the statement agrees with the writer's views

FALSE - if the statement doesn't agree the writer's views

NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

The chemicals that are in plastics only break down a very small amount when the plastic is broken into smaller pieces.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “......Plastic objects typically fragment into progressively smaller and more numerous particles without substantial chemical degradation......”

Keyword: down, small

Keyword location: para 2, Lines 3-4

Explanation: The writer explains that while plastics fragment into smaller pieces, their chemical structure does not degrade significantly. This confirms that the chemicals in plastics break down only slightly when fragmented, making the statement true.

The sun contributes to the break up of plastics within the ocean.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “......Microplastics arise from the fragmentation of larger pieces, as they weather from the effects of ultraviolet rays, wind and wave action......”

Keyword: break up, plastics

Keyword location: para 3, Lines 2-4

Explanation: The para mentions that ultraviolet rays (from the sun), along with wind and waves, contribute to the breakdown of larger plastics into microplastics. This confirms that the sun plays a role in the process, making the statement true.

Microplastics have led to fish stocks being reduced in some areas of the oceans.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text does not discuss the impact of microplastics on fish stocks, so the statement is not given.

Scientists have identified the origins of most of the microfibres found in water.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “.....No-one is certain of the provenance of the massive amount of microfibres in our water.......”

Keyword: origins, identified

Keyword location: para 5, Line 1

Explanation: The writer clearly states that the origins of most microfibres found in water are not known. This contradicts the statement that scientists have identified the origins, making it false.

More effective filters are being developed at waste treatment works to remove microfibres.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text does not mention the development of more effective filters, so the statement is not given.

There is a historic correlation between the amount of plastics manufactured and the amount of microplastics found in the marine ecosystem.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “.....Global trends suggest that accumulations are increasing in aquatic habitats, consistent with trends in plastic production........”

Keyword: correlation, plastic

Keyword location: para 6, Lines 8-9

Explanation: The writer indicates that the increase in microplastics in aquatic habitats aligns with the increase in plastic production, confirming a historical correlation between the two. This makes the statement true.

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