IELTS Reading Practice: How to Reduce Plastic Use in Schools

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various question types accurately. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant traction in recent years: reducing plastic use in schools. This subject has appeared in several IELTS exams over the past decade, reflecting its growing importance in environmental discussions. Given its relevance to current global sustainability efforts, there’s a high likelihood that similar themes will continue to feature in future IELTS tests.

Let’s dive into a practice reading passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic in your upcoming IELTS exam.

Reading Passage: Tackling Plastic Waste in Educational Institutions

Plastic reduction in school

In recent years, the global community has become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Schools, as institutions responsible for shaping future generations, have a unique opportunity to lead by example in reducing plastic waste. Many educational establishments worldwide are now implementing innovative strategies to minimize their plastic footprint and instill eco-friendly habits in students.

One of the most effective approaches to reducing plastic use in schools is the implementation of a comprehensive waste management system. This typically involves setting up clearly labeled recycling stations throughout the campus, educating students and staff about proper waste segregation, and partnering with local recycling facilities to ensure that recyclable materials are processed correctly. Some schools have gone a step further by introducing composting programs for organic waste, significantly reducing the amount of plastic-wrapped food waste that ends up in landfills.

Another key strategy is the promotion of reusable alternatives to single-use plastics. Many schools have banned disposable water bottles, instead encouraging students to bring reusable water bottles and installing water refill stations around the campus. Similarly, cafeterias are moving away from disposable cutlery and containers, opting for durable, washable options or biodegradable alternatives made from materials like bamboo or corn starch.

Education plays a crucial role in these initiatives. Schools are incorporating environmental awareness into their curricula, teaching students about the life cycle of plastics, their impact on ecosystems, and the importance of reducing consumption. Some institutions organize regular clean-up drives, allowing students to witness firsthand the extent of plastic pollution in their local environment and motivating them to take action.

Innovative schools are also exploring ways to repurpose plastic waste creatively. Art classes use plastic refuse to create sculptures and installations, science classes conduct experiments on plastic degradation, and some schools even use recycled plastic to create building materials for school projects or community initiatives.

Collaboration with local businesses and organizations has proven beneficial in these efforts. Some schools partner with local shops to create plastic-free zones around the campus, while others work with environmental NGOs to develop and implement plastic reduction strategies. These partnerships not only amplify the impact of school initiatives but also help spread awareness throughout the wider community.

While progress has been made, challenges remain. Budget constraints can make it difficult for some schools to invest in reusable alternatives or advanced recycling systems. Additionally, changing ingrained habits and behaviors around plastic use can be a slow process, requiring patience and persistent education.

Despite these challenges, the movement to reduce plastic use in schools continues to gain momentum. As more educational institutions adopt these practices, they not only contribute to reducing plastic waste but also play a vital role in educating the next generation about environmental stewardship. The lessons learned and habits formed in these plastic-conscious schools have the potential to create lasting change, as students carry these practices into their homes and future workplaces.

Questions

True/False/Not Given

1. All schools worldwide have implemented strategies to reduce plastic waste.
2. Composting programs in schools help reduce plastic-wrapped food waste in landfills.
3. Some schools have completely eliminated the use of plastic in their cafeterias.
4. Environmental awareness is being integrated into school curricula.
5. All attempts to reduce plastic use in schools have been successful.

Multiple Choice

6. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a strategy for reducing plastic use in schools?
   A) Installing water refill stations
   B) Banning all plastic products on campus
   C) Promoting reusable water bottles
   D) Using biodegradable cutlery in cafeterias

7. According to the passage, what role do local businesses play in schools’ plastic reduction efforts?
   A) They provide funding for school initiatives
   B) They help create plastic-free zones around campuses
   C) They supply schools with biodegradable products
   D) They teach students about plastic pollution

Matching Headings

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

8. Paragraph 2
9. Paragraph 4
10. Paragraph 6

Headings:
i. Challenges in implementing plastic reduction strategies
ii. The importance of waste management systems
iii. Collaborative efforts with the community
iv. The role of education in plastic reduction
v. Creative ways to reuse plastic waste
vi. The global impact of school plastic reduction programs

Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

11. What type of stations are schools installing to encourage the use of reusable water bottles?
12. Besides recycling, what type of program are some schools introducing to deal with organic waste?
13. What kind of drives do some schools organize to show students the extent of plastic pollution?

Answer Key and Explanations

1. False
   Explanation: The passage states that “Many educational establishments worldwide are now implementing innovative strategies,” not all schools.

2. True
   Explanation: The passage mentions that “Some schools have gone a step further by introducing composting programs for organic waste, significantly reducing the amount of plastic-wrapped food waste that ends up in landfills.”

3. Not Given
   Explanation: While the passage discusses alternatives to plastic in cafeterias, it doesn’t state that any schools have completely eliminated plastic use.

4. True
   Explanation: The passage states, “Schools are incorporating environmental awareness into their curricula.”

5. Not Given
   Explanation: The passage mentions challenges but doesn’t comment on the success rate of all attempts.

6. B
   Explanation: The passage mentions various strategies, including water refill stations, reusable bottles, and biodegradable cutlery, but does not mention a complete ban on all plastic products.

7. B
   Explanation: The passage states, “Some schools partner with local shops to create plastic-free zones around the campus.”

8. ii
   Explanation: This paragraph discusses the implementation of waste management systems in schools.

9. iv
   Explanation: This paragraph focuses on how schools are educating students about plastic pollution and environmental issues.

10. iii
    Explanation: This paragraph discusses how schools collaborate with local businesses and organizations in their plastic reduction efforts.

11. Water refill
    Explanation: The passage mentions “installing water refill stations around the campus.”

12. Composting
    Explanation: The passage states, “Some schools have gone a step further by introducing composting programs for organic waste.”

13. Clean-up
    Explanation: The passage mentions that “Some institutions organize regular clean-up drives.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overgeneralizing: Be cautious about statements that use absolute terms like “all” or “every.” The passage often uses qualifiers like “many” or “some.”

2. Confusing “Not Given” with “False”: Remember, “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor denied in the passage.

3. Overlooking key words: Pay attention to qualifiers and specific details. For example, the passage mentions “biodegradable alternatives” in cafeterias, not a complete elimination of plastic.

4. Bringing outside knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on your personal knowledge of the topic.

5. Misinterpreting complex sentences: Break down longer sentences to ensure you understand each component.

Key Vocabulary

1. Innovative (adjective) /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ – introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking

2. Segregation (noun) /ˌseɡrɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – the action or state of setting someone or something apart from others

3. Biodegradable (adjective) /ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəbl/ – capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms

4. Curricula (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələ/ – the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college

5. Repurpose (verb) /riːˈpɜːpəs/ – adapt for use in a different purpose

6. Ingrained (adjective) /ɪnˈɡreɪnd/ – firmly fixed or established; difficult to change

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in the passage, e.g., “Many educational establishments worldwide are now implementing innovative strategies” and “Some schools have gone a step further.” This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to the present or have present relevance.

Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle

Examples:

• Schools have implemented new strategies.
• The movement has gained momentum.

Practice using this tense when discussing ongoing environmental initiatives or changes that have present effects.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Time management is crucial. Spend about 20 minutes on each passage in the Reading test.

2. Skim the passage quickly first to get a general idea before answering questions.

3. Read the questions carefully and underline key words.

4. For True/False/Not Given questions, look for specific evidence in the text. Don’t make assumptions based on general knowledge.

5. For Multiple Choice questions, eliminate obviously incorrect options to increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.

6. In Matching Headings questions, focus on the main idea of each paragraph rather than specific details.

7. For Short Answer questions, stick to the word limit and use words directly from the passage.

8. Practice regularly with various types of texts and question formats to improve your speed and accuracy.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and familiarity with different question types. Keep working on expanding your vocabulary and improving your reading speed. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

For more tips on environmental topics in IELTS, check out our articles on how to reduce household waste and sustainable living practices. These resources can help you build your vocabulary and knowledge on related themes that may appear in your IELTS exam.