Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 7...

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 7 to 14.

        The global trade in plastic waste has become a significant environmental and ethical concern. UK plastic waste exports have soared this year, rising by 84% in the first half of 2025 compared with 2024, according to UN Comtrade analysis compiled by The Last Beach Cleanup. The surge has been concentrated in Malaysia and Indonesia, with shipments jumping to 28,667 tonnes and 24,006 tonnes respectively. While aggregate volumes remained above 317,000 tonnes, the portion routed directly to non-OECD destinations climbed from 11% to 20%.

        Historically, developed nations have exported vast quantities of plastic scrap to developing countries, often under the guise of recycling. However, this practice frequently leads to environmental degradation and social injustice in the recipient nations, which may lack the infrastructure or regulatory capacity to manage the influx. This pattern has been labeled "waste imperialism," as it effectively externalizes the costs and burdens of waste management on nations with weaker environmental enforcement.

        In response to these growing concerns, some major economic blocs, such as the European Union, have implemented stringent regulations, including prohibiting the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries. The rationale behind such bans is to encourage domestic recycling and ensure that the responsibility for waste management remains with the originating countries. However, other nations continue to export substantial volumes, often resulting in a complex and mercurial global trade network. When one destination tightens import rules, waste is frequently re-routed to others, creating a "shadow geography" of disposal.

        These shifting trade flows highlight a critical issue: the economic incentive often makes exporting plastic waste cheaper than processing it domestically. This financial disparity can obscure accountability along the transboundary chain, making it difficult to track and manage the environmental impact effectively. Critics argue that nations producing plastic packaging should internalize the true costs of its disposal and invest more heavily in domestic recycling infrastructure. Ultimately, addressing this global challenge requires international cooperation, stricter regulations, and a fundamental shift towards a circular economy where waste is minimized and resources are reused.

(Adapted from https://www.theguardian.com/)

Question 7. The word “soared” in paragraph 1 can be best replaced by ____________.

        A. dwindled                B. rocketed                        C. stabilized                        D. decreased

Question 8. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2 as a reality of exporting plastic scrap to developing countries?

A. It frequently harms the environment of the recipient countries.

B. It rapidly promotes the domestic recycling infrastructure.

C. It brings about social inequality in the recipient nations.

D. It pushes the burden of waste management on nations with weak laws.

Question 9. The word “stringent” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

        A. lenient                B. strict                        C. rigorous                        D. demanding

Question 10. The word “it” in paragraph 4 refers to ______.

        A. transboundary chain                                B. economic incentive

        C. plastic waste                                        D. environmental impact

Question 11. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Opponents suggest that countries manufacturing plastic packaging must bear the actual expenses of treating it and fund their own recycling systems.

B. Critics believe that nations creating plastic packaging should lower the disposal costs by heavily relying on international recycling infrastructure.

C. It is argued that countries importing plastic packaging ought to pay the true costs of throwing it away and improve domestic recycling.

D. People claim that countries producing plastic packaging should internalize the disposal costs so that they can export more waste to other nations.

Question 12. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The global trade in plastic waste has decreased significantly in recent years.

B. The economic incentive primarily encourages domestic processing of plastic waste.

C. The European Union has forbidden the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries.

D. Developed nations always have sufficient infrastructure to manage imported plastic waste.

Question 13. Which paragraph mentions the practice of disguising waste exports as recycling?

        A. Paragraph 1        B. Paragraph 2                        C. Paragraph 3                        D. Paragraph 4

Question 14. Which paragraph provides information about three key elements to address the global challenge of plastic waste trade?

        A. Paragraph 1        B. Paragraph 2                        C. Paragraph 3                        D. Paragraph 4