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IELTS Reading Practice: How to Reduce Plastic Use in Restaurants

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Reduce plastic use in restaurants

Reduce plastic use in restaurants

The IELTS Reading section often features texts on environmental issues, reflecting their global significance. One such topic that has gained prominence in recent years is the reduction of plastic use, particularly in the food service industry. Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, we predict a high likelihood of encountering passages related to “How to reduce plastic use in restaurants” in future tests.

This topic combines elements of environmental awareness, business practices, and consumer behavior, making it an ideal subject for IELTS Reading passages. To help you prepare for such questions, we’ve created a practice text and accompanying questions that mirror the style and difficulty level of the actual IELTS exam.

Reduce plastic use in restaurants

Practice Reading Passage: Medium Text

Reducing Plastic Waste in the Restaurant Industry

The restaurant industry has long been a significant contributor to plastic waste, with single-use items such as straws, utensils, and food containers being major culprits. However, as environmental awareness grows, many establishments are taking steps to reduce their plastic footprint. This shift is not only beneficial for the environment but can also lead to cost savings and improved customer perception.

One of the most effective ways restaurants can reduce plastic use is by replacing single-use items with reusable alternatives. For instance, many eateries are switching to cloth napkins, metal cutlery, and glass or ceramic dishes for dine-in customers. Some innovative restaurants have even started using edible cutlery made from materials like wheat bran or rice, which can be consumed after use or composted.

For takeaway orders, biodegradable options are gaining popularity. Containers made from materials such as bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, or cornstarch provide an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging. These materials break down much faster than plastic and don’t leave harmful microplastics in the environment.

Straws have become a particular focus in the fight against plastic waste. Many restaurants have eliminated plastic straws entirely, offering paper or reusable metal straws only upon request. This simple change can significantly reduce plastic waste, as millions of plastic straws are discarded daily worldwide.

Another area where restaurants can make a difference is in their beverage service. By installing water filtration systems and offering tap water in reusable bottles or glasses, establishments can eliminate the need for bottled water. Similarly, switching to fountain drinks or large, reusable containers for beverages can reduce the use of individual plastic bottles and cans.

Behind the scenes, restaurants can work with suppliers to minimize plastic packaging in their deliveries. This might involve using reusable crates for produce or opting for suppliers who use minimal packaging. Some restaurants have even started composting food waste and using it to grow their own herbs and vegetables, further reducing the need for packaged ingredients.

Education plays a crucial role in reducing plastic use. Many restaurants are training their staff on the importance of plastic reduction and implementing proper recycling practices. Additionally, they’re engaging customers through informative signage, menu notifications, and social media campaigns to raise awareness about their sustainability efforts.

While these changes can require initial investment and adjustment, many restaurants report long-term cost savings and increased customer loyalty as a result of their environmentally friendly practices. As consumers become more eco-conscious, restaurants that prioritize sustainability are likely to have a competitive edge in the market.

The shift away from plastic in the restaurant industry is part of a broader trend towards sustainability in business. As more establishments adopt these practices, it creates a ripple effect, encouraging suppliers, customers, and competitors to reconsider their plastic use. This collective effort has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the food service industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.

IELTS-style Questions

True/False/Not Given

  1. Reusable cloth napkins are being used by some restaurants to replace paper napkins.
  2. Edible cutlery is always more expensive than plastic alternatives.
  3. Biodegradable takeaway containers decompose faster than traditional plastic packaging.
  4. Most restaurants have completely banned the use of all types of straws.
  5. Installing water filtration systems can help restaurants reduce their use of bottled water.

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.

A. The role of customer education in plastic reduction
B. Financial benefits of reducing plastic use
C. Alternatives to plastic straws
D. Reusable items as a solution to single-use plastics
E. The impact of plastic waste on marine life
F. Biodegradable options for takeaway packaging
G. Behind-the-scenes strategies for plastic reduction
H. The future of plastic use in restaurants

  1. Paragraph 2
  2. Paragraph 3
  3. Paragraph 4
  4. Paragraph 7

Multiple Choice

  1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a material used for making biodegradable containers?
    a) Bamboo
    b) Sugarcane bagasse
    c) Cornstarch
    d) Recycled paper

  2. The passage suggests that reducing plastic use in restaurants can:
    a) Always lead to immediate profits
    b) Result in long-term cost savings
    c) Decrease customer loyalty
    d) Increase food waste

  3. Which of the following is described as a way for restaurants to reduce plastic use in beverage service?
    a) Offering only bottled water
    b) Using smaller plastic cups
    c) Installing water filtration systems
    d) Increasing the variety of bottled drinks

Answer Key and Explanations

True/False/Not Given

  1. True – The passage states: “For instance, many eateries are switching to cloth napkins, metal cutlery, and glass or ceramic dishes for dine-in customers.”

  2. Not Given – The passage mentions edible cutlery as an alternative but does not compare its cost to plastic options.

  3. True – The text says: “These materials break down much faster than plastic and don’t leave harmful microplastics in the environment.”

  4. False – The passage states: “Many restaurants have eliminated plastic straws entirely, offering paper or reusable metal straws only upon request.” This implies that some straws are still available, just not plastic ones.

  5. True – The passage mentions: “By installing water filtration systems and offering tap water in reusable bottles or glasses, establishments can eliminate the need for bottled water.”

Matching Headings

  1. D – This paragraph discusses replacing single-use items with reusable alternatives.
  2. F – This paragraph focuses on biodegradable options for takeaway packaging.
  3. C – This paragraph is specifically about alternatives to plastic straws.
  4. A – This paragraph discusses educating staff and customers about plastic reduction.

Multiple Choice

  1. d) Recycled paper – The passage mentions bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, and cornstarch as materials for biodegradable containers, but not recycled paper.

  2. b) Result in long-term cost savings – The passage states: “While these changes can require initial investment and adjustment, many restaurants report long-term cost savings and increased customer loyalty as a result of their environmentally friendly practices.”

  3. c) Installing water filtration systems – The text mentions: “By installing water filtration systems and offering tap water in reusable bottles or glasses, establishments can eliminate the need for bottled water.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to qualifiers like “many,” “some,” or “often.” These can be crucial in determining whether a statement is true or false.

  2. Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text. Don’t let your personal knowledge or opinions influence your answers.

  3. Misinterpreting “Not Given”: Remember, “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor denied by the passage, not that you can’t find the answer.

  4. Rushing through the text: Take time to understand the main idea of each paragraph. This is especially important for matching heading questions.

  5. Choosing answers based on familiar words: In multiple-choice questions, don’t select an option just because it contains words from the passage. Ensure the entire meaning matches.

Vocabulary Focus

Grammar Spotlight

Pay attention to the use of present continuous tense to describe ongoing trends and changes in the restaurant industry:

“Many restaurants are taking steps to reduce their plastic footprint.”

This tense is often used to discuss current developments and changes that are in progress. It’s formed using the present tense of “to be” + the -ing form of the main verb.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

  1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by underlining key points and making mental summaries as you read.

  2. Improve your time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.

  3. Expand your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to environmental topics and business practices.

  4. Familiarize yourself with question types: Practice with all IELTS question formats to become comfortable with their requirements.

  5. Read widely: Expose yourself to various texts on environmental issues to build background knowledge and improve reading speed.

By mastering these skills and strategies, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any IELTS Reading passage, including those on environmental topics like reducing plastic use in restaurants. Remember, consistent practice is key to achieving a high score in the IELTS Reading section.

For more practice on environmental topics, check out our articles on how to reduce single-use plastics in daily life and how to reduce environmental impact while traveling. These resources will help you further expand your vocabulary and understanding of sustainability issues, which are increasingly common in IELTS exams.

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