# PTE RW FIB #2: Environmental Impact of...

Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks #2 - Level 1 - Feeds Reading

> Below is a text with blanks. Click on each blank, a list of choice will appear. Select the appropriate answer choice for each blank.

What happens to disposable cups after we toss them in the trash? How do they affect the environment and our health? The answer depends on the type of cup: paper, plastic or polystyrene foam (also known as Styrofoam. Each of these materials has its own pros and ____ . Paper cups can end up in landfills where they decompose anaerobically, generating methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Plastic cups are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that ____ a lot of energy and water to produce. Plastic cups are also not biodegradable and can break down into microplastics, which can ____ the food chain and harm wildlife and human health. Polystyrene foam cups are lightweight and cheap, but they are also very harmful to the environment and health. They are made from styrene, a carcinogenic chemical that can leach into hot drinks. They are also not recyclable and can persist in the environment for centuries, ____ the land and water. Therefore, disposable cups have a significant impact on the environment and health, and it is important to be aware of the consequences of using them. A better ____ is to use reusable cups, which can reduce waste, save resources, and protect the planet.

## Answer

What happens to disposable cups after we toss them in the trash? How do they affect the environment and our health? The answer depends on the type of cup: paper, plastic or polystyrene foam (also known as Styrofoam. Each of these materials has its own pros and **cons** . Paper cups can end up in landfills where they decompose anaerobically, generating methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Plastic cups are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that **requires** a lot of energy and water to produce. Plastic cups are also not biodegradable and can break down into microplastics, which can **enter** the food chain and harm wildlife and human health. Polystyrene foam cups are lightweight and cheap, but they are also very harmful to the environment and health. They are made from styrene, a carcinogenic chemical that can leach into hot drinks. They are also not recyclable and can persist in the environment for centuries, **polluting** the land and water. Therefore, disposable cups have a significant impact on the environment and health, and it is important to be aware of the consequences of using them. A better **alternative** is to use reusable cups, which can reduce waste, save resources, and protect the planet.

## Explanation

For blank 1, "pros and cons" is a fixed pair meaning good and bad points. "Tons" and "aeons" only look similar. In blank 3, microplastics "enter the food chain," meaning they become part of it. "Invade" sounds like an attack, and "contain" reverses the meaning.

## Hints

- Look for keywords in the surrounding sentences that define the relationship between the items and their environmental effects.
- Check if the word fits the grammatical structure of the sentence, such as needing a verb to describe an action or a noun to name a concept.

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