Sorting Recyclables for Best Re-Use

From the time a plastic container is thrown into

a recycling bin to the time the
plastic 1 are actually recycled, it passes
through several sorting cycles. In addition to
being separated from the non-plastic items, the
plastics themselves must be 2 detached,
because not all plastics are alike, making some
easier to recycle than others.
During manual sorting, people 3 very
thoroughly check the numbers on the bottom of
each plastic item. The numbers indicate the
type of plastic each is made from. Some
sorting can be automated by using machines 1.
that can detect the composition of the plastic.
The detectors in these machines use infrared
light to characterize and sort the plastics, A. NO CHANGE
similar to how a human might use visible light
to sort materials by their color. By either B. is
method, the plastics can eventually be
arranged into bins or piles corresponding to the C. has been
recycling code numbers running from one to
seven. 4 D. will be
In some cases, plastics are further sorted by
the method by which they were
2.
manufactured. 5 However, 6 bottles, tubs and
trays are typically 7 made from either PET
(polyethylene terephthalate) or HDPE (high A. NO CHANGE
density polyethylene), two of the least
recovered plastics. Bottles are produced by a B. demolished
process called blow-molding, in which the
plastic is heated until soft, then blown up, C. flanked
much like a balloon, while being pushed
against a mold. Tubs and trays are usually D. categorized
made by a process called injection molding, in
which the plastic is heated until it can be
pushed through nozzles into a mold. Different
3.
additives are added to the plastics
before 8 molding. It depends on the method. A. NO CHANGE
Since the additives for injection molding might
not be suitable for blow-molding of the recycled B. completely and thoroughly check
plastic, PET and HDPE bottles are often
separated out from the other PET and HDPE C. thoroughly check
plastics.
While the numbers 1 through 6 indicate D. make sure to thoroughly check
a 9 specific plastic, number 7 indicates that the
plastic is either one of many other plastics, or
that it is a blend of plastics. These plastics are 4. Which sentence could be added to the
more difficult to recycle, as different amounts paragraph to most effectively establish the
of the various types of number 7 plastics will central idea?
be sent to recycling each day. They are
typically used for products in which the plastic
A. Special machines have been developed to
will be mixed with other materials.
Although there are many types of plastics to be assist in sorting plastics.
found in a typical recycling bin, each one can
play a part in a recycled 10product, the B. Sorting by hand is less efficient than using
many cycles of sorting guarantee that each machines to sort plastics.
piece can be correctly processed and sent off
for re-use.11
C. Classifying plastics can be done manually or D. molding, it depends
by machines.
9.
D. Plastics are widely used today, so they need
A. NO CHANGE
to be recycled.

5. B. vague

A. NO CHANGE C. common

B. For example, D. pending

C. Consequently, 10.

D. Similarly, A. NO CHANGE

6. B. product the many

A. NO CHANGE C. product. The many

B. bottles, tubs, and trays D. product, so the many

C. bottles tubs and trays 11. Which choice most effectively establishes
a summative concluding sentence for the
D. bottles, tubs, and, trays paragraph?

7. Which choice completes the sentence with A. Sorting ensures that plastics will not linger
accurate data based on the graphic? in the landfills, but continue to be of use.

A. NO CHANGE B. Sorting different types of plastics is done in

many ways, either by hand or machine.
B. made from PET (polyethylene
terephthalate) or HDPE (high density C. Oftentimes, people are required to sort
polyethylene), the two most recovered their own plastics by type.
plastics after the leading type, LDPE
D. There are many different kinds of plastics,
C. made from PP (polypropene) or PS and each one is useful.
(polystyrene), the two most recovered plastics
after the leading type, PVC

D. made from PP (polypropene) or PS

(polystyrene), the two most recovered plastics
after the leading type, EPS

8. Which choice most effectively combines the

sentences at the underlined portion?

A. molding, however, it depends

B. molding, depending

C. molding despite depending

Question Correct Answer Your Answer
Result Explanation

1 B Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

2 D Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

3 C Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

4 C Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

5 B Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

6 B Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

7 B Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

8 B Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

9 A Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

10 C Not attempted Wrong

Explanation

11 A Not attempted Wrong

Explanation