# Microplastics' Impact on Soil

IELTS Academic Listening - 10 questions - 10 minutes - Note completion

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 19, Test 3, Listening Part 4. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## The recording

8 minutes of audio. Practice it with the player on the page; the transcript is on the answers page.

## Questions

### Questions 31-40: Note completion

Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Microplastics
Where microplastics come from
fibres from some **(31)** _____ during washing
the breakdown of large pieces of plastic
waste from industry
the action of vehicle tyres on roads
Effects of microplastics
They cause injuries to the **(32)** _____ of wildlife and affect their digestive systems.
They enter the food chain, e.g., in bottled and tap water, **(33)** _____ and seafood.
They may not affect human health,but they are already banned in skin cleaning products and **(34)** _____ in some countries.
Microplastics enter the soil through the air, rain and **(35)** _____.
Microplastics in the soil - a study by Anglia Ruskin University
Earthworms are important because they add **(36)** _____ to the soil.
The study aimed to find whether microplastics in earthworms affect the **(37)** _____ of plants.
The study found that microplastics caused:
**(38)** _____ loss in earthworms
fewer seeds to germinate
a rise in the level of **(39)** _____ in the soil.
The study concluded:
soil should be seen as an important natural process.
changes to soil damage both ecosystems and **(40)** _____.

[Practice online with a timer and instant marking](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/microplastics-impact-on-soil) - [Answers and explanations](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/microplastics-impact-on-soil/answers)