IELTS General Reading Test 1 Answers – Free General Reading Practice

Paragraph A: The sheer volume of plastic waste entering marine environments has led to the current crisis often termed the “plastic catastrophe.” Globally, it is estimated that between 8 and 12 million **metric tons** of plastic enter the oceans annually, primarily originating from **land-based sources**, including poorly managed waste systems and discarded single-use items. This massive influx is driven by the **low cost and durability** of plastic polymers, leading to their pervasive use across almost every consumer sector. The consequences of this unchecked contamination extend far beyond visible litter, impacting every level of the marine food web and potentially human health.

Paragraph B: The fate of plastic in the ocean varies significantly based on its size. **Macroplastics**, large visible items such as bottles, nets, and bags, pose an **immediate physical threat**. Marine animals, including turtles and seals, frequently become entangled in abandoned fishing gear—termed “**ghost gear**”—which leads to injury or death by drowning or starvation. Furthermore, when ingested, macroplastics can block **digestive tracts**, causing a false sense of fullness and eventual mortality. In the North Pacific, vast areas of accumulating debris, like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, highlight the geographical scale of this challenge.

Paragraph C: However, the more insidious threat comes from the fragmentation of plastic into smaller particles. Through exposure to sunlight, wave action, and **microbial activity**, macroplastics degrade into **microplastics** (defined as pieces less than **5 millimetres** in length). These tiny particles are easily mistaken for food by zooplankton, bivalves, and small fish, allowing plastic contaminants to enter the marine food chain at the very bottom. As smaller organisms are consumed by larger ones, microplastics and the toxic chemicals they carry undergo **bioaccumulation and biomagnification** up the trophic levels, eventually reaching seafood consumed by humans.

Paragraph D: Addressing the plastic catastrophe requires a multi-faceted global response. Technological solutions, such as barrier systems designed to intercept plastic near coastlines and rivers, offer **localized relief**. Yet, experts agree that long-term sustainability hinges on fundamental changes at the **source**. This includes global policy changes mandating producer responsibility, the development of biodegradable or compostable alternatives to common polymers, and a **significant reduction in overall plastic consumption**. Without these **upstream interventions**, the rate of plastic accumulation will continue to **outpace clean-up efforts**, resulting in increasingly profound ecological shifts.