Nature Works for Nature Works PLA IELTS Reading Answers

Nov 30, 2022

Nature works for Nature Works PLA IELTS Reading Answers have 14 questions in total. Candidates need to answer them in 20 minutes. Nature works for Nature Work PLA IELTS Reading Answers comprises only two types of questions, namely- no more than two words, choosing the correct option. In no more than two words, candidates are required to answer based on a given cue within a word limit of two words. In choose the correct option, candidates are required to answer based on a given cue. They are required to choose from multiple options. Candidates must read the IELTS Reading passage, identify keywords, and recognize synonyms to answer the question. They can follow IELTS Reading Tips to excel in the Reading test.

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Reading Passage Question

A dozen years ago, scientists at Cargill got the idea of converting lactic acid made from corn into plastic while examining possible new uses for materials produced from corn wet milling processes. In the past, several efforts had been made to develop plastics from lactic acid, but with limited success. Achieving this technological breakthrough didn’t come easily, but in time the efforts did succeed. A fermentation and distillation process using com was designed to create a polymer suitable for a broad variety of applications.
As an agricultural-based firm, Cargill had taken this product as far as it could by 1997. The company needed a partner with access to plastics markets and polymerization capabilities, and began discussions with The Dow Chemical Company. The next step was the formation of the joint venture that created Cargill Dow LLC. Cargill Dow’s product is the world’s first commercially available plastic made from annually renewable resources such as com:

Nature Works™ PLA is a family of packaging polymers (carbon-based molecules) made from non-petroleum based resources.
Ingeo is a family of polymers for fibers made in a similar manner.

By applying their unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars, Cargill Dow has created a more environmentally friendly material that reaches the consumer in clothes, cups, packaging and other products. While Cargill Dow is a stand-alone business, it continues to leverage the agricultural processing, manufacturing and polymer expertise of the two parent companies in order to bring the best possible products to market.
The basic raw materials for PLA are carbon dioxide and water. Growing plants, like com, take these building blocks from the atmosphere and the soil. They are combined in the plant to make carbohydrates (sucrose and starch) through a process driven by photosynthesis. The process for making Nature Works PLA begins when a renewable resource such as corn is milled, separating starch from the raw material. Unrefined dextrose, in turn, is processed from the starch.
Cargill Dow turns the unrefined dextrose into lactic acid using a fermentation process similar to that used by beer and wine producers. This is the same lactic acid that is used as a food additive and is found in muscle tissue in the human body. Through a special condensation process, a lactide is formed. This lactide is purified through vacuum distillation and becomes a polymer (the base for NatureWorks PLA) that is ready for use through a solvent-free melt process. Development of this new technology allows the company to “harvest” the carbon that living plants remove from the air through photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in plant starches, which can be broken down into natural plant sugars. The carbon and other elements in these natural sugars are then used to make NatureWorks PLA.
Nature Works PLA fits all disposal systems and is fully compostable in commercial composting facilities. With the proper infrastructure, products made from this polymer can be recycled back to a monomer and re-used as a polymer. Thus, at the end of its life cycle, a product made from Nature Works PLA can be broken down into its simplest parts so that no sign of it remains.
PLA is now actively competing with traditional materials in packaging and fiber applications throughout the world; based on the technology’s success and promise, Cargill Dow is quickly becoming a premier player in the polymers market. This new polymer now competes head-on with petroleum-based materials like polyester. A wide range of products that vary in molecular weight and crystallinity can be produced, and the blend of physical properties of PLA makes it suited for a broad range of fiber and packaging applications. Fiber and non-woven applications include clothing, fiberfill, blankets and wipes. Packaging applications include packaging films and food and beverage containers.
As Nature Works PLA polymers are more oil- and grease-resistant and provide a better flavor and aroma barrier than existing petroleum-based polymers, grocery retailers are increasingly using this packaging for their fresh foods. As companies begin to explore this family of polymers, more potential applications are being identified. For example, PLA possess two properties that are particularly useful for drape fabrics and window furnishings. Their resistance to ultraviolet light is particularly appealing as this reduces the amount of fading in such fabrics, and their refractive index is low, which means fabrics constructed from these polymers can be made with deep colors without requiring large amounts of dye. In addition, sportswear makers have been drawn to the product as it has an inherent ability to take moisture away from the skin and when blended with cotton and wool, the result is garments that are lighter and better at absorbing moisture.
PLA combines inexpensive large-scale fermentation with chemical processing to produce a value-added polymer product that improves the environment as well. The source material for PLA is a natural sugar found in plants such as com and using such renewable feedstock presents several environmental benefits. As an alternative to traditional petroleum-based polymers, the production of PLA uses 20%-50% less fossil fuel and releases a lower amount of greenhouse gasses than comparable petroleum-based plastic; carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is removed when the feedstock is grown and is returned to the earth when the polymer is degraded. Because the company is using raw materials that can be regenerated year after year, it is both cost-competitive and environmentally responsible.

Solution and Explanation
Questions 1-4:
Write the letters A-F in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

make things like clothes
produce plastic from plant
selling plastic in market
fermentation process
drape fabrics
wrapping products

1. ________ scientists manage to

Answer: B. produce plastic from plant
Supporting Sentence: A dozen years ago, scientists at Cargill got the idea of converting lactic acid made from corn into plastic
Keyword: scientist, plastic
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Line 1
Explanation: The first line of the passage states that scientist Cargill used the lactic acid made from corn and turned it into plastic. Hence, scientist managed to produce plastic from plants is the correct answer.

2. _________ Cargill needs to have contacts with

Answer: C. selling plastic in market
Supporting Sentence: The company needed a partner with access to plastics markets and polymerization capabilities and began discussions with The Dow Chemical Company.
Keyword: Cargill, contacts, plastic
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 2
Explanation: The company wanted a partner with access to plastics markets and polymerization capabilities. Hence The Dow Chemical Company was contacted. This means after scientists produce plastic they need to have contacts in the market for selling plastic. This makes C the correct answer.

3. _______Nature work is used for

Answer: F. wrapping products
Supporting Sentence: By applying their unique technology to the processing of natural plant sugars, Cargill Dow has created a more environmentally friendly material that reaches the consumer in clothes, cups, packaging, and other products.
Keyword: Cargill Dow, nature, work, packaging
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 2
Explanation: The scientist invented a unique technology for processing natural plant sugar. These were used in materials such as clothes, cups and packaging products. packaging means wrapping. This makes F the correct answer.

4. _________Ingeo is used to

Answer: A. make things like clothes
Supporting Sentence: Ingeo is a family of polymers for fibers made in a similar manner.
Keyword: Ingeo, clothes
Keyword Location: paragraph 2, last line
Explanation: As per the passage, Ingeo is a polymer of fibers. These are used in various substances like making clothes. Hence, A is the correct answer.

Question 5-8:
Complete the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage.
Using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the Reading Passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 5-8 on your answer sheet.

Question 5:

Answer: separating starch.
Supporting Sentence: The process for making Nature Works PLA begins when a renewable resource such as corn is milled, separating starch from the raw material.
Keyword: raw material, corn, PLA, separating starch
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 4
Explanation: As per the passage, Nature Works PLA is made by milling a renewable resource such as corn. The starch is extracted from the raw materials and it is then converted into unrefined dextrose. Hence, separating starch is the correct answer.

Question 6:

Answer: fermentation process
Supporting Sentence: Cargill Dow turns the unrefined dextrose into lactic acid using a fermentation process similar to that used by beer and wine producers.
Keyword: lactic acid, fermentation
Keyword Location: paragraph 5, line 1-2
Explanation: The scientist Cargill Dow uses a fermentation method similar to that used by beer and wine manufacturers to convert raw dextrose into lactic acid. This is the same lactic acid that is found in human muscle tissue and is utilized as a food additive. Hence, the fermentation process is the correct answer.

Question 7:

Answer: condensation process
Supporting Sentence: Through a special condensation process, a lactide is formed.
Keyword: condensation process, lactide, vacuum distillation
Keyword Location: paragraph 5, line 2
Explanation: After the fermentation process is done, Lactide is created using a unique condensation method. Hence, the condensation process is the correct answer.

Question 8:

Answer: Polymer
Supporting Sentence: This lactide is purified through vacuum distillation and becomes a polymer (the base for NatureWorks PLA) that is ready for use through a solvent-free melt process.
Keyword: lactide, Vaccum distillation, polymer
Keyword Location: paragraph 5, line 4
Explanation: After the condensation process, the lactide is purified via vacuum distillation and transformed into a polymer. This polymer is the basis for NatureWorks PLA which can be melted without using any solvents. hence, the polymer is the correct answer.

Questions 9-10:
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 9-10 on your answer sheet.

9. Why did choose the PLA as material for food packaging?

It smells good
It can save food freshness
It can be used on other materials
Some other things need to be revised about it.

Answer: B- It can save food freshness
Supporting Sentence: As Nature Works PLA polymers are more oil- and grease-resistant and provide a better flavor and aroma barrier than existing petroleum-based polymers, grocery retailers are increasingly using this packaging for their fresh foods.
Keyword: packaging, fresh foods, PLA
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, line 1
Explanation: As per the passage, Nature works PLA are grease resistant and provide better flavor. This is the reason grocery retailers use this for the packaging of fresh foods. This makes the packaging save freshness.

10. What is PLA packaging is used for?

absorbing moisture
composting facilities
Packaging fresh food
manufacturing

Answer: C- Packaging fresh food
Supporting Sentence: As Nature Works PLA polymers are more oil- and grease-resistant and provide a better flavor and aroma barrier than existing petroleum-based polymers, grocery retailers are increasingly using this packaging for their fresh foods.
Keyword: PLA, Packing food
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, line 1
Explanation: As per the passage, Nature works PLA are grease resistant and provide better flavor. This is the reason grocery retailers use this for the packaging of fresh foods. Hence, packaging fresh foods is the correct answer.

Question 11-12:
Which two features of PLA are correct?

It is made of renewable raw materials
It involves the removal of carbon dioxide
It is no use of fossil fuel product
It uses renewable raw resources
It is sustenance which can absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere

Answer: (A) It is made of renewable raw materials.
(C) It is no use of fossil fuel product
Supporting Sentence: As an alternative to traditional petroleum-based polymers, the production of PLA uses 20%-50% less fossil fuel and releases a lower amount of greenhouse gasses than comparable petroleum-based plastic; carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is removed when the feedstock is grown and is returned to the earth when the polymer is degraded.
Keyword: Co2, PLA, feature
Keyword Location: paragraph 9, line 3-4
Explanation: PLA uses less fossil fuel and emits fewer greenhouse gases than comparable petroleum-based plastics. Hence, it is no use for fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is removed when the feedstock is grown and returned to the earth. This is when the polymer is degraded as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based polymers. This means that they can be reused and made of renewable raw materials.

Question 13-14:
Which two features of PLA are correct?

It takes in moisture of skin
It is waterproof
comfortable sportswear
It’s fading under the sun
It is only made in deep color

Question 13:

Answer 13: (A) It takes in moisture of skin;
Supporting Sentence: In addition, sportswear makers have been drawn to the product as it has an inherent ability to take moisture away from the skin and when blended with cotton and wool, the result is garments that are lighter and better at absorbing moisture.
Keyword: moisture, PLA, features, fading
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, line 1-5
Explanation: Sportswear designers have been lured to the product because it has an intrinsic ability to absorb moisture. It does so from the skin, and when combined with cotton and wool, the result is lighter better-absorbing clothes.

Question 14:

Answer 14: (D) It’s fading under the sun
Supporting Sentence: Their resistance to ultraviolet light is particularly appealing as this reduces the amount of fading in such fabrics, and their refractive index is low, which means fabrics constructed from these polymers can be made with deep colors without requiring large amounts of dye.
Keyword: PLA, features, fading
Keyword Location: Paragraph 8, line 1-5
Explanation: Their UV resistance is particularly appealing since it minimizes the amount of fading in such fabric. And their refractive index is low, which means fabrics created from these polymers can be dyed in deep colors without using a lot of dye.

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