Test your comprehension

What is the main purpose of the text?

• To provide an overview of waste generation and treatment in the European Union.

• To discuss the environmental and health impacts of waste management.

• To promote recycling and safe disposal of waste.

• To outline the long-term aim of EU waste management policies.

According to the text, what is the definition of waste?

• Any substance or object which is required to be discarded.

• Any substance or object which the holder intends to discard.

• Any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard.

• Any substance or object which is harmful to the environment.

What are the potential negative impacts of waste management mentioned in the text?

• Air, water and soil pollution, and land space usage.

• Loss of materials and energy resources.

• Environmental and health impacts.

• Both A and B.

What is the long-term aim of EU waste management policies according to the text?

• To reduce the amount of waste generated.

• To promote waste as a resource and achieve higher levels of recycling.

• To ensure the safe disposal of waste.

• All of the above.

The text mentions that waste "potentially represents an enormous loss of resources in the form of both materials and energy." What does this suggest about the value of waste?

• Waste has no value and should be discarded.

• Waste has value in the form of materials and energy.

• Waste is a burden on the environment and should be minimized.

• Waste is a necessary part of modern life.

According to the text, what is the purpose of EU waste management policies?

• To reduce the environmental and health impacts of waste.

• To improve the EU's resource efficiency.

• Both A and B.

• None of the above.

Which of the following is not mentioned in the text as a potential impact of waste management?

• Air pollution.

• Water pollution.

• Soil pollution.

• Greenhouse gas emissions.

Nudge techniques are design features which lead or ​ (a)   ,users to follow the designer’s preferred ​ (b)   in the user’s ​ (c)   . For example, in the graphic below the large green ‘yes’ button is presented far more prominently then the small print ‘no’ option, with the result that the user is ‘nudged’ towards answering ‘yes’​ (d)  

• encourage
• paths
• decision making
• rather
• encouraging
• nudge
• outcomes

In the next example the language used to explain the ​ (a)   of two alternatives is framed more positively for one alternative than for the other, again ‘​ (b)   ’ the user towards the service provider’s preferred option.

• outcomes
• nudging
• nudge
• cumbersome

A further ​ (a)   technique involves making one option much less ​ (b)   or time consuming than the alternative, therefore ​ (c)   many users to just take the easy option. For example providing a low privacy option instantly with just one ‘click’, and the high privacy alternative via a six click mechanism, or with a delay to accessing the service.

• nudge
• cumbersome
• encouraging
• encourage
• decision making
• paths