Quiz R3 — IELTS Reading: Bioplastics & The “Green” Label

🧠 IELTS Reading — Matching Headings + T/F/NG. 08:00

Match each paragraph (A–G) with the most suitable heading. One heading is extra. Then answer the True/False/Not Given questions. Click Check Answers for instant scoring and explanations.

Choose the best heading for each paragraph

There are 8 headings and 7 paragraphs. One heading will not be used.

1. A. Composting facilities decide the real benefit
2. B. Why “biodegradable” labels often mislead shoppers
3. C. Performance trade-offs compared with conventional plastic
4. D. Life-cycle emissions: the bigger picture
5. E. Feedstocks: from corn to algae
6. F. How contamination disrupts recycling streams
7. G. Government standards and certifications
8. H. A city pilot that showed mixed results

Paragraph A

Retail packaging labeled as “biodegradable” can give the impression it will disappear in any bin or backyard. In reality, most such materials require controlled conditions—specific temperature, moisture, and oxygen—to break down as designed. When these products end up in ordinary rubbish or even standard recycling streams, they can linger like conventional plastic or cause processing issues.

— Select heading — BACD EFGH

Paragraph B

Bioplastics originate from diverse sources including corn starch, sugarcane, and, in emerging research, algae. The choice of feedstock affects land use, irrigation, and fertilizer inputs. Materials grown on marginal land or derived from industrial by-products may reduce pressure on food crops, yet scalability and stable supply remain obstacles.

— Select heading — EACD BFGH

Paragraph C

Laboratory tests show some plant-based polymers soften at lower temperatures or have reduced barrier properties compared with PET or PP. For food manufacturers this may mean shorter shelf life or thicker packaging to perform equally—choices that can erode environmental gains unless designs are carefully optimized.

— Select heading — CABD EFGH

Paragraph D

From cultivation to end-of-life, a full life-cycle assessment (LCA) reveals the trade-offs. Some bioplastics lower fossil fuel use yet raise emissions through agricultural inputs or land-use change. Conversely, where renewable power and efficient composting exist, overall greenhouse impacts can fall below those of conventional plastics.

— Select heading — DABC EFGH

Paragraph E

Mixing “compostable” items into regular recycling can contaminate bales. Even small amounts of the wrong polymer may cause defects during remelting, so many materials recovery facilities reject such loads. Clear labeling and separate collection are therefore critical to avoid undermining existing recycling systems.

— Select heading — FABC DEGH

Paragraph F

In municipalities with industrial composters that reach high temperatures, compostable packaging can break down within weeks and yields a cleaner organic stream. In regions without such facilities, the same items typically go to landfill, where the environmental advantage is far more limited.

— Select heading — ABCD EFGH

Paragraph G

To guide the market, several countries use certification marks that verify compostability or bio-based content. Yet standards differ in test temperature and time, leading to consumer confusion. Policymakers are now considering harmonized labels and minimum performance rules to curb greenwashing.

— Select heading — GABC DEFH

True / False / Not Given

1) All bioplastics decompose naturally in household compost bins.

T F NG

2) Using agricultural by-products may reduce pressure on food crops.

T F NG

3) Some bioplastics need thicker packaging to match conventional performance.

T F NG

4) LCAs always show bioplastics have lower greenhouse gas emissions.

T F NG

5) Contamination from compostable items can reduce the quality of recycled plastic.

T F NG

6) Harmonized labeling is being considered to reduce consumer confusion.

T F NG

⏱️ 8 minutes

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