Plastic in the World’s Oceans Quick Questions

Set to Triple over Next Decade 1. Find and copy two words from the text,
which mean the same as terrible.
11 Plastic poses a great threat to our oceans because it isn’t 
21 biodegradable and it can remain in the environment for up 
24 to 1000 years.
32 Approximately, 12 million tonnes of plastic debris is 2. List two ways in which plastic can
43 found in the world’s oceans each year and washed up on endanger marine animals.
52 shores around our planet. Plastic has a catastrophic effect 
62 on marine animals because they mistake it for food. They 
74 are often killed by choking on larger chunks of plastic or by
3. Explain why humans should be
80 swallowing smaller, indigestible pieces. Shockingly, plastic
concerned about plastic being ‘found at
91 samples are found at every stage of the ocean food chain. every stage of the ocean food chain’.
97 Environmental organisations are demanding that big

103 corporations reduce plastic packaging and governments

111 act by introducing product bans on microbeads, drinking
121 straws and carrier bags. By taking action now, our precious 
129 marine ecosystems can be preserved for future generations. 4. How does the word ‘demanding’ help
you to understand the seriousness of the
threat caused by plastic pollution?




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 Plastic in the World’s Oceans Answers
Set to Triple over Next Decade 1. Find and copy two words from the text,
which mean the same as terrible.
11 Plastic poses a great threat to our oceans because it isn’t catastrophic
21 biodegradable and it can remain in the environment for up shockingly
24 to 1000 years.
32 Approximately, 12 million tonnes of plastic debris is 2. List two ways in which plastic can
43 found in the world’s oceans each year and washed up on endanger marine animals.
52 shores around our planet. Plastic has a catastrophic effect Accept references to animals choking
on large pieces or swallowing
62 on marine animals because they mistake it for food. They
small, indigestible pieces which
74 are often killed by choking on larger chunks of plastic or by
they mistake for food.
80 swallowing smaller, indigestible pieces. Shockingly, plastic
91 samples are found at every stage of the ocean food chain. 3. Explain why humans should be
97 Environmental organisations are demanding that big concerned about plastic being ‘found at
103 corporations reduce plastic packaging and governments every stage of the ocean food chain.’
111 act by introducing product bans on microbeads, drinking Accept any reference to humans eating
121 straws and carrier bags. By taking action now, our precious fish, which is contaminated by plastic.

129 marine ecosystems can be preserved for future generations. 4. How does the word ‘demanding’ help
you to understand the seriousness of the
threat caused by plastic pollution?
Accept any reference to the grave
seriousness of plastic pollution
and that action must be taken.

visit twinkl.com