Direction: Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. Polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most often recycled plastics and the material used in the majority of water and soda bottles, can be transformed into everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts.
may be converted
Understanding Sentence Substitution and Vocabulary
The question asks us to find the most appropriate phrase to replace the underlined segment "can be transformed into" in the given sentence:
"Polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most often recycled plastics and the material used in the majority of water and soda bottles, can be transformed into everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts."
The original sentence describes the capability of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to be changed or converted into other useful materials. The phrase "can be transformed into" indicates the possibility and the process of changing the form or nature of PET.
We need to select an option that maintains or improves the meaning of the original sentence in this context.
Analyzing the Options for Substitution
Let's examine each option:
- Option 1: might be placed
The word 'placed' means to put something in a particular position or location. Substituting "can be transformed into" with "might be placed" would change the sentence to:
"Polyethylene terephthalate ... might be placed everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts."
This makes no grammatical or contextual sense. Placing PET does not mean turning it into other materials.
- Option 2: might be evolved
'Evolved' typically refers to a gradual development, often in a biological or complex system sense. While transformation is a type of change, 'evolved' is not the standard term used for changing one material into manufactured products like fabric or automotive parts. Substituting it gives:
"Polyethylene terephthalate ... might be evolved everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts."
This phrasing is awkward and doesn't accurately convey the chemical or physical process of turning PET into other materials.
- Option 3: may be converted
'Converted' means to change the form, character, or property of something. This aligns well with the idea of changing PET plastic into different materials like polyester fabric or automotive parts. 'May be' is also a modal verb indicating possibility, similar in function to 'can be' in this context. Substituting this gives:
"Polyethylene terephthalate ... may be converted into everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts."
This sentence is grammatically correct and accurately reflects that PET plastic has the potential to be changed into these other materials through a conversion process.
- Option 4: may be devaluated
'Devaluated' means to reduce the value of something. The sentence describes turning recycled PET into valuable products like fabric and car parts, which increases its utility and potentially its economic value, rather than decreasing it. Substituting this gives:
"Polyethylene terephthalate ... may be devaluated everything from polyester fabric to automotive parts."
This is incorrect both grammatically and contextually. It completely changes the meaning of the sentence to the opposite of what is intended.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Option
Comparing the options, "may be converted" is the most suitable substitute for "can be transformed into". Both phrases express the possibility of changing PET into other forms, and "converted" is an accurate term for the process of changing one material into another through recycling and manufacturing processes.
Revision Table: Vocabulary in Context
| Phrase | Meaning in Context | Suitability for Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| can be transformed into | Has the ability to be changed into a different form or product. | Original phrase to be replaced. |
| might be placed | Could be put in a location. | Incorrect meaning. |
| might be evolved | Could develop gradually (less suitable for material processing). | Awkward phrasing, less accurate term. |
| may be converted | Could be changed into a different form or state. | Correct meaning, appropriate term. |
| may be devaluated | Could have its value reduced. | Incorrect meaning, opposite of context. |
Additional Information: Understanding PET Recycling and Transformation
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic resin and a form of polyester. It is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially carbonated soft drinks and water. Its popularity is due to its strength, thermo-stability, and transparency. One of its key features is that it is highly recyclable.
- Recycling Process: Recycled PET (RPET) is produced by collecting, sorting, cleaning, and processing post-consumer PET bottles and containers. The collected plastic is typically shredded into flakes.
- Transformation/Conversion: These PET flakes can then be processed further. They can be melted down and spun into fibers (e.g., for polyester fabric used in clothing or carpets) or processed into pellets that are used to mold new products, including new bottles, strapping, automotive parts, and other consumer goods. This process is accurately described as 'conversion' or 'transformation'.
- Environmental Impact: Recycling PET reduces the need for virgin plastic production, saving energy and resources, and decreasing landfill waste.
Understanding the process of how recycled PET is turned into other products helps clarify why terms like 'transformed' or 'converted' are appropriate descriptions.
Similar Questions
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Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
My old teacher gave many poor students money in spite of he was poor.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
You should to read the newspaper regularly if you want to be well-informed.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
If he had listening to me he would not have got lost.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
He asked for a bank loan also he didn't have sufficient resources.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
I went to the shop to buy some stationeries .
