Global issues quiz

What is the name for a large ocean current that circulates around the globe?

• El Niño

• Estuary

• Gyre

• Inversion

How many tons of plastic are estimated to enter the ocean every year from rivers?

• 1,000 to 2,000 tons

• 10,000 to 20,000 tons

• 100,000 to 200,000 tons

• 1 to 2 million tons

Where does most of the debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch come from?

• Harbors

• Marinas

• Rivers

• All of the above

How long does it take for debris to travel from the west coast of North America to the gyre?

• About one year

• About three years

• About six years

• About ten years

How big is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch estimated to be?

• 100,000 square miles

• 300,000 square miles

• 600,000 square miles

• 1,000,000 square miles

What percentage of objects in the garbage patch are tiny plastic pieces smaller than 0.5 cm?

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

• Over 90%

What does current research suggest about the size of the garbage patch?

• It is getting smaller

• It is staying the same size

• It is slowly getting bigger

• It is growing rapidly

Which state was the first to ban single-use plastic bags at large stores?

• Alaska

• California

• Texas

• Washington

Which countries have laws that ban or tax single-use plastic bags?

• Australia

• China

• The United Kingdom

• All of the above

What are some risks that the garbage patch poses to animals and humans?

• Fish and whales may mistake plastic for food

• Humans may eat fish that have consumed plastic with toxins

• Animals can get trapped in plastic waste

• All of the above