Plastic Is No Longer Fantastic Reading Answers

Feb 10, 2023

Plastic Is No Longer Fantastic Reading Answers contains a write up about the ill effects of plastic. Plastic Is No Longer Fantastic Reading Answers contains a total of 7 paragraphs. Related to the paragraphs are 13 questions. Candidates in this IELTS Section will be shown various question types with clear instructions. The paragraphs contain information about the ill effects of plastic use. The various research and the substitution to plastic invented has been mentioned. The today’s generation viewpoints towards plastic has also been mentioned.

Plastic Is No Longer Fantastic Reading Answers is an IELTS Reading passage which comprises three types of questions: complete the summary, choose the correct option and associate headings with paragraphs. Candidates must carefully and properly read each paragraph. It is necessary to interpret each text. In order to respond to the questions, you must identify the paragraph's main idea. It's vital to keep in mind the crucial facts. It is necessary to interpret and comprehend each text. To gain proficiency, candidates can practice from IELTS reading practice test.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Plastic Is No Longer Fantastic Reading Answers

In 2017, Carlos Ferrando, a Spanish engineer-turned-entrepreneur, saw a piece of art in a museum that profoundly affected him. ‘What Lies Under’, a photographic composition by Indonesian digital artist Ferdi Rizkiyanto, shows a child crouching by the edge of the ocean and ‘lifting up’ a wave, to reveal a cluster of assorted plastic waste, from polyethylene bags to water bottles. The artwork, designed to raise public awareness, left Ferrando angry – and fuelled with entrepreneurial ideas.
Ferrando runs a Spanish-based design company, Closca, that produces an ingenious foldable bicycle helmet. But he has now also designed a stylish glass water bottle with a stretchy silicone strap and magnetic closure mechanism that means it can be attached to almost anything, from a bike to a bag to a pushchair handle. The product comes with an app that tells people where they can fill their bottles with water for free.
The intention is to persuade people to stop buying water in plastic bottles, thus saving consumers money and reducing the plastic waste piling up in our oceans. ‘Bottled water is now a $100 billion business, and 81 per cent of the bottles are not recycled . It’s a complete waste – water is only 1.5 percent of the price of the bottle!’ Ferrando cries. Indeed, environmentalists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish and that’s mainly down to such bottles. ‘We are trying to create a sense that being environmentally sophisticated is a status symbol,’ he adds. ‘We want people to clip their bottles onto what they are wearing, to show that they are recycling – and to look cool.’
Ferrando’s story is fascinating because it seems like an indicator of something unexpected. Three decades ago, conspicuous consumption – the purchase of luxuries, such as handbags, shoes, cars, etc. on a lavish scale – heightened people’s social status. Indeed, the closing decades of the 20th century were a time when it seemed that anything could be turned into a commodity. Hence the fact that water became a consumer item, sold in plastic bottles, instead of just emerging, for free, from a tap.
Today, though, conspicuous extravagance no longer seems desirable among consumers. Now, recycling is fashionable – as is cycling rather than driving. Plastic water bottles have become so common that they do not command status; instead, what many millennials – young people born in the late 20th century – prefer to post on social media are ‘real’ (refillable) bottles or even the once widespread Thermos bottles. Some teenagers currently think that these stainless-steel vacuum-insulated water bottles that are coming back onto the market are ultra ‘cool’; never mind the fact that they feel oddly out-of-date to anyone over the age of 40 or that teenagers in the 1970s would have avoided ever being seen with one.
It is uncertain whether Clesca will succeed in its goal. Although its foldable bike helmet is available in some outlets in New York, including the Museum of Modern Art, it can be very hard for any design entrepreneur to really take off in the global mass market, though not as hard as it might have been in the past. If an entrepreneur had wanted to fund a smart invention a few decades ago, he or she would have had to either raise a bank loan, borrow money from a family member or use a credit card. Things have moved on slightly since then.
Entrepreneurs are still using the last two options, but some are also tapping into the ever-growing pot of money that is becoming available in the management world for ‘corporate social responsibility’ (CSR) investments. And then there are other options for those who wish to raise money straight away. Ferrando posted details about his water-bottle venture on a large , recognised platform for funding creative projects. He appealed for people to donate $30,000 of seed money – the money he needed to get his project going – and promised to give a bottle to anyone who provided more than $39 in ‘donations’. If he received the funds, he stated that the company would produce bottles in grey and white; if $60,000 was raised, a multicolored one would be made. Using this approach, none of the donors has a stake in his idea, nor does he have any debt. Instead, it is almost a pre-sale of the product, in a manner that tests demand in advance and creates a potential crowd of enthusiasts. This old-fashioned community funding with a digital twist is supporting a growing array of projects ranging from films to card games, videos, watches and so on. And, at last count, Closca had raised some $52,838 from 803 backers. Maybe, 20 years from now, it will be the plastic bottle that seems peculiarly old-fashioned.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 28-34

The text has seven paragraphs, A- G.

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i- viii, in boxes 28 - 34 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

A time when opportunities were limited
The reasons why Ferrando’s product is needed
A no-risk solution
Two inventions and some physical details
The contrasting views of different generations
A disturbing experience
The problems with replacing a consumer item
Looking back at why water was bottled

Paragraph A

Answer: vi
Supporting Statement: ‘What Lies Under’, a photographic composition by Indonesian digital artist Ferdi Rizkiyanto, shows a child crouching by the edge of the ocean and ‘lifting up’ a wave, to reveal a cluster of assorted plastic waste, from polyethylene bags to water bottles.
Keywords: Affected, lifting up
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: As per paragraph A it has been mentioned that an artwork that Carlos Ferrando, a Spanish engineer-turned-entrepreneur. He viewed in a museum in 2017 had a significant impact on him. In his photography composition "What Lies Under." Indonesian digital artist Ferdi Rizkiyanto depicts a little boy kneeling by the ocean's edge and "lifting up" a wave to uncover a collection of various plastic debris. It also includes water bottles and polyethylene bags. So, the correct answer is vi stating ‘a disturbing experience’ as per the explanation.

Paragraph B

Answer: iv
Supporting Statement: Ferrando runs a Spanish-based design company, Closca, that produces an ingenious foldable bicycle helmet. But he has now also designed a stylish glass water bottle with a stretchy silicone strap and magnetic closure
mechanism that means it can be attached to almost anything, from a bike to a bag to a pushchair handle.
Keywords: produces, design
Keyword Location: Paragraph B
Explanation: As per paragraph B it has been mentioned that Ferrando is the owner of the innovative foldable bicycle helmet-producing Closca design firm in Spain. Nevertheless, he has created a chic glass water bottle with a stretchy silicone strap. Further magnetic closure system that can be fastened to practically anything, such as a bicycle, bag, or stroller handle. The product includes an app that directs users to locations where they can fill their water bottles for nothing. So, the correct answer is iv stating ‘Two inventions and some physical details’ as per the explanation.

Paragraph C

Answer: ii
Supporting Statement: The intention is to persuade people to stop buying water in plastic bottles, thus saving consumers money and reducing the plastic waste piling up in our oceans. ‘Bottled water is now a $100 billion business, and 81 per cent of the bottles are not recycled . It’s a complete waste – water is only 1.5 percent of the price of the bottle!’ Ferrando cries.
Keywords: intention, reducing the plastic waste
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been clearly mentioned that the goal is to convince people to quit purchasing water in plastic bottles. It will save them money and lessen the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans. The market for bottled water has grown to $100 billion, and 81% of the bottles are not recycled. Water only costs 1.5% of the price of the bottle, so it's a total waste. The crying Ferrando. So, the correct answer is ii stating ‘The reasons why Ferrando’s product is needed’ as per the explanation provided.

Paragraph D

Answer: viii
Supporting Statement: Indeed, the closing decades of the 20th century were a time when it seemed that anything could be turned into a commodity. Hence the fact that water became a consumer item, sold in plastic bottles, instead of just emerging, for free, from a tap.
Keywords: commodity, tap water
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been mentioned that it seemed as though anything might be made into a commodity throughout the last decades of the 20th century. As a result, water is no longer obtained for free from a tap but is instead a consumer good sold in plastic bottles. So, the correct answer is viii stating ‘Looking back at why water was bottled’ as pre the explanation provided.

Paragraph E

Answer: v
Supporting Statement: Now, recycling is fashionable – as is cycling rather than driving. Plastic water bottles have become so common that they do not command status; instead, what many millennials – young people born in the late 20th century – prefer to post on social media are ‘real’ (refillable) bottles or even the once widespread Thermos bottles.
Keywords: fashionable, 20th century
Keyword Location: Paragraph E
Explanation: As per paragraph E, it has been mentioned that some teenagers today believe that the stainless-steel vacuum-insulated water bottles. These are returning to the market are extremely "cool," despite the fact that anyone over the age of 40. Thus, finds them oddly out of date and that teenagers in the 1970s would have shied away from ever being seen with one. So, the correct answer is v stating ‘ The contrasting views of different generations’ as per the explanation provided.

Paragraph F

Answer: i
Supporting Statement: If an entrepreneur had wanted to fund a smart invention a few decades ago, he or she would have had to either raise a bank loan, borrow money from a family member or use a credit card. Things have moved on slightly since then.
Keywords: entrepreneur, bank loan
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph B, it has been mentioned that prior to a few decades ago, an inventor who wanted to finance a clever innovation. It would have needed to either secure a bank loan, borrow money from a relative, or utilize a credit card. Since then, things have slightly changed. So, the correct answer is i stating ‘A time when opportunities were limited’ as per thee explanation provided. Thus, it is the most appropriate heading for paragraph F.

Paragraph G

Answer: iii
Supporting Statement: Using this approach, none of the donors has a stake in his idea, nor does he have any debt. Instead, it is almost a pre-sale of the product, in a manner that tests demand in advance and creates a potential crowd of
enthusiasts. This old-fashioned community funding with a digital twist is supporting a growing array of projects ranging from films to card games, videos, watches and so on.
Keywords: Stake, donors
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been mentioned that using this strategy, he has no debt and none of the donors have any interest in his concept. Instead, it functions more like a product pre-sale, testing demand in advance as well as building a prospective fan base. A rising number of projects, including movies, card games, videos, and watches. And other things, are being financed through this traditional form of community funding with a modern twist. So, the correct answer is iii stating ‘A no-risk solution’ as per the explanation provided.

Questions 35-37

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 35-37 on your answer sheet.

What does Ferrando say about his glass water bottle?

It matches his bicycle helmet.
It is cheaper than a plastic bottle.
He has designed it to suit all ages.
He wants people to be proud to show it.

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: Ferrando cries. Indeed, environmentalists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish and that’s mainly down to such bottles. ‘We are trying to create a sense that being environmentally sophisticated is a status symbol,’ he adds. ‘We want people to clip their bottles onto what they are wearing, to show that they are recycling – and to look cool.’
Keywords: Glass bottle, cool
Keyword Location: Paragraph C
Explanation: As per paragraph C, it has been mentioned that environmentalists predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans, largely due to these bottles. We want people to believe that having advanced environmental knowledge is a status symbol, he continues. We want people to clip their bottles to what they are wearing so they can look cool while recycling. So, the correct answer is D as per the explanation provided and lines of paragraph C.

What does the writer find fascinating about Ferrando’s story?

the youthfulness of his ideas.
the old-fashioned nature of his products.
the choice it is creating for consumers.
the change is revealing in people’s attitudes.

Answer: D
Supporting Statement: Ferrando’s story is fascinating because it seems like an indicator of something unexpected. Three decades ago, conspicuous consumption – the purchase of luxuries, such as handbags, shoes, cars, etc. on a lavish scale –
heightened people’s social status.
Keywords: Story, fascinating
Keyword Location: Paragraph D
Explanation: As per paragraph D, it has been mentioned that Ferrando's tale is intriguing since it suggests an unexpected development. Three decades ago, buying things like handbags, shoes, vehicles, etc. on a lavish scale elevated people's
social status through ostentatious spending. So, the correct answer is D as per the explanation provided and the lines of paragraph D.

What does the writer suggest about Closca’s bike helmet?

It has both functional and artistic value.
Its main appeal is to older people.
It has had extraordinary success worldwide.
It is a more exciting invention than the glass bottle.

Answer: A
Supporting Statement: This old-fashioned community funding with a digital twist is supporting a growing array of projects ranging from films to card games, videos, watches and so on. And, at last count, Closca had raised some $52,838 from 803
backers. Maybe, 20 years from now, it will be the plastic bottle that seems peculiarly old-fashioned.
Keywords: Old-fashioned, Closca
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been mentioned that a rising number of projects, including movies, card games, videos, watches, and other things. These are being financed through this traditional form of community funding with a modern twist. At last check, Closca had received funding from 803 backers totaling $52,838. It's possible that in 20 years the plastic bottle will seem strangely out of date. So, the correct answer is A as per the explanation provided and the lines of paragraph G.

Questions 38-40

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.

Funding a smart invention

Thirty years ago, the methods used by creators to fund their projects involved getting money from the bank or from someone in the 38 .................... Banks today are still a useful source of finance, but investments may also be sought from ‘corporate social responsibility’ projects.

In order to get immediate funding, the method Ferrando took was to use a well-known 39 .................... to advertise his product and request financial support. People who gave a certain figure or over were offered a free gift. In addition, Ferrando advised his donors that his company would create bottles in two colors, followed by a 40 .................... bottle once they had received a more significant amount. In this way Ferrando avoided debt and found out how many people might want his products before manufacturing them.

Question 38)

Answer: Family
Supporting Statement: If an entrepreneur had wanted to fund a smart invention a few decades ago, he or she would have had to either raise a bank loan, borrow money from a family member or use a credit card. Things have moved on slightly
since then.
Keywords: Entrepreneur, bank loan
Keyword Location: Paragraph F
Explanation: As per paragraph F, it has been mentioned that prior to a few decades ago. An inventor who wanted to finance a clever innovation would have needed to either secure a bank loan, borrow money from a relative, or utilize a credit card. Since then, things have slightly changed. So, the correct answer is ‘family’ as per the explanation provided and the lines of paragraph F.

Question 39)

Answer: Platform
Supporting Statement: And then there are other options for those who wish to raise money straight away. Ferrando posted details about his water-bottle venture on a large , recognised platform for funding creative projects. He appealed for people to donate $30,000 of seed money – the money he needed to get his project going – and promised to give a bottle to anyone who provided more than $39 in ‘donations’.
Keywords: Water-bottle, creative projects
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been mentioned that for those who want to start raising money right once, there are still additional choices available. Ferrando shared information about his water bottle business on a well-known, sizable website for sponsoring artistic endeavors. A bottle would be given to anyone who contributed more than $39 in "donations," which he requested in order to raise the $30,000 he needed to start his project. So, the correct answer is ‘platforms’ as per the explanation provided and the lines of paragraph G.

Question 40)

Answer: Multicolored
Supporting Statement: If he received the funds, he stated that the company would produce bottles in grey and white; if $60,000 was raised, a multicolored one would be made. Using this approach, none of the donors has a stake in his idea, nor
does he have any debt. Instead, it is almost a pre-sale of the product, in a manner that tests demand in advance and creates a potential crowd of enthusiasts.
Keywords: Funds, multicolored
Keyword Location: Paragraph G
Explanation: As per paragraph G, it has been mentioned that he said that if he got the money. The business would make bottles in white and grey; if he got $60,000, he'd make one with Multi colors. Using this strategy, he has no debt and none of the donors have any interest in his concept. Instead, it functions more like a product pre-sale, testing demand in advance and building a prospective fan base. So, the correct answer is ‘multicolored’ as per the explanation provided and the lines of paragraph G.

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