Trash Vortex Chapter 4

What is the author’s purpose in discussing Plastiki on page 44?

• to hook the reader about an interesting story about Plastiki, which was built from 12,500 used water bottles

• to persuade the reader to build their own version of Plastiki

• to inform the reader of the similarities and differences between Plastiki and Charles Moore’s boat

• to entertain the reader with jokes made about Plastiki

“The bottle craft traveled through the gyre not as trash, but as part of a headline-grabbing expedition with a message.” (p. 46)

How does this sentence develop the purpose you identified in Part A?

• by amusing readers with surprising facts

• by teaching that plastic is not the enemy

• by confirming the interest that people took in the story

• by convincing readers of the problem with plastic

What point of view does the author present on page 46?

• You can never catch up to the problem of trash in the ocean.

• Ocean currents will naturally take care of the plastic pollution.

• Vacuuming plastic pollution in the ocean won’t solve the problem.

• Using plastic water bottles as a meal for bacteria won’t solve the problem.

Which of the following sentences best shows the author distinguishing one position from another position?

• “Wax-loving worms enjoy munching on plastic bags.”

• “These microbes use enzymes to cut up long polymers into bite-sized sections.”

• “Some scientists are not hopeful that biodegradation will solve the plastic problem.”

• “Scientists admire how, in a world full of plastics, they have found ways to turn them into food.

What does the word "extruded" mean as used in context on page 47?

• shake

• squeeze

• keep

• admit

What is a catamaran? (page 44)

• boat

• car

• submarine

• motorcycle

What is Plastiki? (page 46)

• boat

• car

• trash

• ship