Plastic Waste and Ocean Pollution

Reading passage
A
Plastic waste in the ocean has become one of the most serious environmental problems today. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the sea from land. This plastic comes from many sources, including beaches, rivers, and cities near the coast. Once plastic reaches the ocean, it does not disappear quickly. Most types of plastic can stay in the water for hundreds of years because they do not break down easily like natural materials.
B
The main reason so much plastic ends up in the ocean is poor waste management on land. In many countries, rubbish is not collected properly or stored in safe places. When it rains heavily, plastic bottles, bags, and other items get washed into rivers. These rivers then carry the waste directly to the sea. In addition, some people throw plastic rubbish directly onto beaches or into the water. Strong winds can also blow light plastic objects from rubbish dumps into nearby waterways.
C
Large pieces of plastic in the ocean cause serious harm to sea animals. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, which are their natural food. When turtles eat these bags, the plastic blocks their stomach and they cannot digest real food. As a result, many turtles become sick or die. Seabirds face similar dangers because they pick up plastic items from the water surface, thinking they are fish. Scientists have found that thousands of seabirds die each year after eating plastic waste.
D
Over time, waves and sunlight break large plastic objects into smaller and smaller pieces. These tiny pieces, called microplastics, are less than five millimetres in size. Microplastics spread throughout the ocean and are now found even in the deepest parts of the sea. Small fish eat these particles because they look like their normal food. Larger fish then eat the smaller fish, and the plastic moves up the food chain. Humans who eat seafood may also consume these plastic particles without knowing it.
E
Scientists have discovered huge areas in the ocean where plastic waste collects together. Ocean currents, which are like rivers flowing through the sea, push floating plastic into certain zones. The largest of these zones is located in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California. This area contains millions of tons of plastic waste and covers a space larger than many countries. The plastic in these zones harms sea life and makes the water dirty.
F
Many governments and organisations are now working to reduce ocean plastic pollution. Some countries have banned single-use plastic bags in shops and markets. Other places have introduced systems where people return plastic bottles to collection points and receive money back. Beach cleaning programmes bring volunteers together to remove plastic waste from coastlines before it enters the sea. These efforts have successfully reduced the amount of new plastic reaching the ocean in some areas.
G
Individuals can also help solve this problem through simple daily actions. Using reusable bags when shopping instead of plastic ones reduces waste significantly. Choosing products with less plastic packaging and avoiding disposable plastic items also makes a difference. When people do use plastic, recycling it properly prevents the material from reaching waterways. Education plays an important role too, as children who learn about ocean pollution often encourage their families to change their habits.

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Questions 1 to 20

Answer the following questions based on the passage

1.Every year, millions of tons of ___ enter the sea from land.

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2.Plastic comes from many sources, including beaches, rivers, and cities near the ___.

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3.Most types of plastic can stay in the water for hundreds of ___.

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4.The main reason so much plastic ends up in the ocean is poor ___ on land.

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5.When it rains heavily, plastic items get washed into ___.

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6.Strong winds can blow light plastic objects from ___ into nearby waterways.

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7.Turtles often mistake plastic bags for ___, which are their natural food.

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8.When turtles eat plastic bags, the plastic blocks their ___.

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9.Thousands of ___ die each year after eating plastic waste.

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10.Tiny pieces of plastic called ___ are less than five millimetres in size.

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11.Waves and ___ break large plastic objects into smaller pieces.

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12.Microplastics are now found even in the deepest parts of the ___.

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13.The plastic moves up the ___ when larger fish eat smaller fish.

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14.___ push floating plastic into certain zones in the ocean.

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15.The largest zone of plastic waste is located in the ___ Ocean.

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16.The largest plastic zone is located between Hawaii and ___.

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17.Some countries have banned ___ plastic bags in shops and markets.

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18.Some places have systems where people return plastic bottles to ___ and receive money back.

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19.Using ___ bags when shopping instead of plastic ones reduces waste significantly.

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20.Recycling plastic properly prevents the material from reaching ___.

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