Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions.

Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, and even then, it is not fully decomposed, it remains in the environment in the form of microplastics. These tiny particles that can measure just a few nanometres are becoming more concentrated in our environment. Recent studies have shown that there is now 60 times more microplastic in the ocean than there was just 15 years ago. This presents a significant threat to human health as microplastics have been linked with cancer, reduced fertility, psychological illnesses, and birth defects. Plastics often contain a myriad of toxic chemicals that include neurotoxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disrupters.

A new technique was recently developed by researchers at Arizona State University that allows scientists to detect the presence of microplastics in human tissue. The results were alarming. The team showed that microplastics were detectable in 100% of the tissues sampled. This is concerning as it shows that microplastics are entering the human body and likely accumulating there, where, in greater quantities, they are more likely to cause harm.

Studies have shown that microplastics easily enter the food chain and accumulate in the food we eat, such as fish and shellfish. When we ingest seafood we are also ingesting large amounts of microplastics. Unless plastic pollution is addressed, this problem will likely worsen, with greater amounts of plastic waste ending up in the ocean each year. This may lead to an increase in the prevalence of diseases and illnesses linked with microplastic exposure.

Question 29. Which of the following best serves the title of the passage?

A. Plastic Pollution B. Research on Plastic Waste

C. Forms of Microplastics D. Microplastics

Question 30. The word ‘detect’ in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to ______.

A. examine B. find C. diagnose D. demonstrate

Question 31. Microplastics is dangerous for human health because they can cause ______.

A. cancer and psychological illnesses B. reduced fertility

C. birth defects D. all of the above

Question 32. What does the phrase ‘this problem’ in the third paragraph refers to?

A. Microplastics enter the food chain.

B. We eat seafood such as fish and shellfish.

C. Microplastics accumulate in the food we eat.

D. None of the above

Question 33. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A. There are more and more microplastics in our environment.

B. Toxic chemicals such as neurotoxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disrupters can be found in plastics.

C. The researchers at Arizona State University showed that microplastics were detectable in most of the tissues sampled.

D. Greater amounts of plastic waste in the ocean may lead to an increase in diseases and illnesses.