Plastic-eating mealworm might help reduce plastic pollution

admin 2020年10月5日

Intermediate

© CNN

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

What kind of things do you recycle?
How often do you use products made from plastic?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

capable /KEY-puh-buhl/

[adjective] –able to do things effectively and skilfully, and to achieve results
Our parents are strong, capable individuals who inspired me and my brother.

break down /BREYK-doun/

[phrasal verb] – to separate, or to separate something, into smaller parts
They broke down the huge task into smaller and more manageable chunks.

triple /trip-uhl/

[verb] – to increase three times in size or amount, or to make something do this
At this rate, they can triple their productivity by next year!

annually /AN-yoo-uh-lee/

[adverb] – once every year
The back of the ID card indicates that membership should be renewed annually.

expert /EK-spurt/

[noun] – a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to a particular subject or activity
We could tell Mr. Morrie was an expert just by listening to him talk passionately about this issue.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Researchers have found out that beetle larvae, also known as mealworms, are capable of eating certain types of plastics. They can grow up to more than 2 cm long and carry bacteria inside their stomach that can break down plastic. Around 3,000 to 4,000 worms are needed to eat a single coffee cup in one week. The mealworms then release half as carbon dioxide and some degraded particles outside their bodies.

Environmental pollution is one of the most important issues that the world is facing in this modern time. A report from The Pew Charitable Trusts has predicted that by 2040, plastic pollution could triple to 29 million metric tons annually, which is equal to 50 kilograms per meter of Earth’s shoreline. Plastics and bioplastics sustainability expert Anja Malawi Brandon mentioned that for mealworms to become a possible recycling solution, a system to collect and treat the wastes the mealworms released must be made. Brandon’s team is looking forward to this promising technology in fighting pollution.

Comprehension Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

What is another name for beetle larvae?
What are mealworms capable of doing according to the article?
How many worms are needed to consume a regular coffee cup made of styrofoam?
How much plastic can pollute the Earth by 2040 in a forecast made by The Pew Charitable Trusts?
What needs to be done for mealworms to become a possible recycling solution?

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Do you think there are other species that can eat plastics like mealworms? Why or why not?
How does this discovery make you feel?
How will the future generations be affected by environmental pollution?
Who has the biggest responsibility to reduce plastic use?
How can you help prevent pollution?