Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The use of plastic bags has been a contentious issue for many years. On one hand, they are convenient for carrying groceries and other items. On the other hand, they are a major contributor to pollution and can have devastating effects on the environment. One of the main causes of plastic bag pollution is their widespread use. They are given out for free at almost every store and are used for just a few minutes before being discarded. This means that there are billions of plastic bags in circulation at any given time, many of which end up as litter on streets, in parks, and in waterways. Another cause of plastic bag pollution is their slow degradation. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, which means that they will continue to pollute the environment for centuries to come. This is especially problematic in oceans where they can harm marine life and damage ecosystems. The effects of plastic bag pollution are wide-ranging and can be devastating. They can harm wildlife and marine life, damage ecosystems, and even contribute to the spread of disease. Plastic bags that end up in oceans can be mistaken as food by marine animals, leading to starvation or suffocation. They can also entangle animals, making it difficult for them to move or escape predators. Plastic bags can also damage coral reefs, which are vital habitats for many species of marine life. In addition to harming wildlife, plastic bags can also affect human health. Plastic bags that end up in waterways can contaminate drinking water and food sources, leading to the spread of disease. They can also block drainage systems, causing flooding and other problems. To address the problem of plastic bag pollution, many cities and countries have implemented plastic bag bans or fees. These policies have been effective in reducing the use of plastic bags and in turn reducing pollution. Consumers can also take action by choosing to bring reusable bags when shopping, or by using paper bags instead of plastic bags. In conclusion, the use of plastic bags has severe consequences on the environment and human health. The cause of the problem is the widespread use and slow degradation of plastic bags, while the effects are wide-ranging and can be devastating. To mitigate these effects, individuals and governments can take actions such as implementing plastic bag bans, choosing to use reusable bags or paper bags instead of plastic bags.
What is the main cause of plastic bag pollution?
The use of plastic bags has been a contentious issue for many years. On one hand, they are convenient for carrying groceries and other items. On the other hand, they are a major contributor to pollution and can have devastating effects on the environment...
Their widespread use and slow degradation
The passage explicitly states that the main causes of plastic bag pollution are their widespread use and slow degradation. Let's break this down:
- Widespread Use: Plastic bags are readily available and often given away for free, leading to excessive consumption and disposal.
- Slow Degradation: Plastic bags take an extremely long time (up to 1000 years) to decompose, meaning they persist in the environment for centuries, accumulating and causing harm.
Option 1 is incorrect because plastic bags are notoriously difficult to decompose. Option 2 is the opposite of reality; there aren't many effective disposal methods for plastic bags, contributing to pollution. Option 4 is also incorrect as recycling rates are low, and the process itself isn't foolproof in preventing environmental harm. Therefore, only option 3 accurately identifies the primary drivers of plastic bag pollution, as supported directly by the provided text.
In essence, the combination of readily available, convenient plastic bags coupled with their incredibly slow rate of decomposition creates a massive environmental problem. This is why their widespread use and slow degradation are identified as the core reasons for pollution stemming from plastic bags.
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Important Questions from Sentence Construction
(S1) The minimum thermometer has a large bore and its fluid is colourless alcohol. (S6) The daily temperature is recorded since a permanent, continuous record of temperature is desired. (P) When the meniscus moves up the bore it leaves the index behind to register the lowest temperature. (Q) Resetting the dumbbell of the minimum thermometer is accompanied by the action of inverting the stem until the index slides down to the meniscus. (R) A tiny, dark index in the shape of a long dumbbell is placed in the bore below the top of the alcohol column. (S) It is mounted horizontally and as the alcohol contracts with the decreasing temperature the meniscus of the alcohol pulls the index down.
(S1) The Cretaceous Period extends from about 146 million years ago to 65 million years ago. (S6) During this period, enormous quantities of basaltic lava were poured out to the surface assuming a great thickness of over three thousand meters. (P) Apart from deposits, this period is marked by the transgression of the sea and outpouring of huge quantities of lava so as to form the Deccan trap and intrusion of plutonic rocks such as gabbro and granite. (Q) Towards the end of the Cretaceous Period the peninsula was affected by intense volcanic activity. (R) This outpouring has been widely distributed in the country with divergent facies of deposits being found in different parts of India. (S) In contrast to the relatively newer Himalayas, these facies that are found in different parts of India are much older in origin.
(S1) The Central Indian Highlands known as the Vindhyan Mountains occupy a large basin extending from Chittorgarh in the west to Sasaram and Dehri-on-Sone in the east. (S6) The Panna District of Madhya Pradesh and the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh are well-known for diamond production. (P) One branch of the basin extends from Sasaram to Hoshangabad. (Q) In some of the exposures of the Vindhyan Systems are found diamond-bearing conglomerates. (R) This branch of this basin occupies a large continuous area stretching over one lakh square kilometre from the Chambal to the Sone. (S) Several isolated exposures of sedimentary rocks occur in the Bastar area of Chhattisgarh.
(S1) Drought is a continuous and lengthy period during which no significant rainfall is recorded during the rainy season. (S6) In India, droughts are more frequent in the areas where the average annual rainfall is less than 60 cm and the variability of rainfall is over 20 per cent. (P) This definition however, does not apply to Mawsymram and Cherra-punji, where even one week recording less than 0.25 mm of rainfall may be considered as a drought period. (Q) In general, the areas recording less than 60 cm of rainfall annually and in which the variability of rainfall is more than 20 per cent are the drought prone areas in India. (R) In India, the Meteorological Department has defined drought as a period of at least 22 consecutive days on none of which is there more than 0.25 mm of rainfall. (S) Areas where the variability of rainfall varies between 20 to 60 per cent are the chronic drought prone areas.
(S1) The definition of large farmers differs from state to state in India. (S6) This trend increased the income base of those who were already relatively well-off and better placed in society. (P) In the initial phase of the Green Revolution, the large farmers were able to adopt the High Yielding Variety easily. (Q) The new varieties increased their savings, both to buy machinery that can displace labour and to purchase more land. (R) For example, a farmer having 10 acres in Kerala is a large farmer, while in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana he falls under the category of a small or medium farmer. (S) All the studies conducted in areas where Green Revolution is a success show that the large farmers have been the main gainers of the package programme.
