Bài Tập Trắc Nghiệm Chuyên Đề: Thông tin được nêu trực tiếp (Tiếng Anh Lớp 10, 11, 12)

In the scorching heat of Mandalay, hundreds of patients – from infants to the elderly and Buddhist monks – are lying on hospital beds in an outdoor car park. Three days after a catastrophic earthquake hit Myanmar, the people in the city are very worried and waiting for more shaking.

Despite having approximately 1,000 beds, Mandalay General Hospital has relocated most patients outside following the devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives across Myanmar and Thailand. The 7.7-magnitude tremor on March 28, accompanied by numerous aftershocks, has forced authorities to keep patients outdoors to prevent potential injuries from collapsing structures. The situation is far from ideal for anyone here at the hospital. "We're doing everything possible under these circumstances," an anonymous medical worker explained to AFP.

With temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius, patients found shelter beneath makeshift tarpaulin covers erected to protect them from the intense sun. Family members held their relatives' hands, offering reassurance, while others used bamboo fans to provide relief. Young children with injuries cried in the uncomfortable environment, and a wounded monk lay connected to an intravenous drip.

Medical staff are equally affected by the crisis. During brief breaks from their grueling work schedules, healthcare workers sat on the ground, attempting to regain their strength. While the hospital structure appeared intact, only critical care patients and their attending physicians stayed indoors. Everyone else crowded together under the tarpaulin or found shelter in a nearby area with a metal roof.

The word robot first appeared in a 1921 stage play by Czech writer Karel Capek. In the play, a man makes a machine that can think, which he calls a robot and which ends up killing its owner. In the 1940s, the American science fiction writer Isaac Asimov wrote a series of stories about robots and invented the term robotics, the science of robots. Meanwhile, in the real world, the first robots were developed by an engineer, Joseph F. Engelberger, and an inventor, George C. Devol. Together they started Unimation, a manufacturing company that produces the first real robot in 1961, called the Unimate. Robots of this type were installed at a General Motors automobile plant and proved to be a success. They worked reliably and saved money for General Motors, so other companies were soon acquiring robots as well.
These industrial robots were nothing like the terrifying creatures that can often be seen in science fiction films. In fact, these robots looked and behaved nothing like humans. They were simply pieces of computer-controlled machinery, with metal “arms” or “hands”. Since they were made of metal, they could perform certain jobs that were difficult or dangerous for humans, particularly jobs that involve high heat. And since robots were tireless and never got hungry, sleepy, or distracted, they were useful for tasks that would be tiring or boring for humans. Industrial robots have been improved over the years, and today they are used in many factories around the world. Though the use of robots has meant the loss of some jobs, at the same time other jobs have been created in the design, development, and production of the robots.
Rise of the Robots, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Martin Ford, 1988.

The word robot first appeared in a 1921 stage play by Czech writer Karel Capek. In the play, a man makes a machine that can think, which he calls a robot and which ends up killing its owner. In the 1940s, the American science fiction writer Isaac Asimov wrote a series of stories about robots and invented the term robotics, the science of robots. Meanwhile, in the real world, the first robots were developed by an engineer, Joseph F. Engelberger, and an inventor, George C. Devol. Together they started Unimation, a manufacturing company that produces the first real robot in 1961, called the Unimate. Robots of this type were installed at a General Motors automobile plant and proved to be a success. They worked reliably and saved money for General Motors, so other companies were soon acquiring robots as well.
These industrial robots were nothing like the terrifying creatures that can often be seen in science fiction films. In fact, these robots looked and behaved nothing like humans. They were simply pieces of computer-controlled machinery, with metal “arms” or “hands”. Since they were made of metal, they could perform certain jobs that were difficult or dangerous for humans, particularly jobs that involve high heat. And since robots were tireless and never got hungry, sleepy, or distracted, they were useful for tasks that would be tiring or boring for humans. Industrial robots have been improved over the years, and today they are used in many factories around the world. Though the use of robots has meant the loss of some jobs, at the same time other jobs have been created in the design, development, and production of the robots.
Rise of the Robots, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Martin Ford, 1988.

The word robot first appeared in a 1921 stage play by Czech writer Karel Capek. In the play, a man makes a machine that can think, which he calls a robot and which ends up killing its owner. In the 1940s, the American science fiction writer Isaac Asimov wrote a series of stories about robots and invented the term robotics, the science of robots. Meanwhile, in the real world, the first robots were developed by an engineer, Joseph F. Engelberger, and an inventor, George C. Devol. Together they started Unimation, a manufacturing company that produces the first real robot in 1961, called the Unimate. Robots of this type were installed at a General Motors automobile plant and proved to be a success. They worked reliably and saved money for General Motors, so other companies were soon acquiring robots as well.
These industrial robots were nothing like the terrifying creatures that can often be seen in science fiction films. In fact, these robots looked and behaved nothing like humans. They were simply pieces of computer-controlled machinery, with metal “arms” or “hands”. Since they were made of metal, they could perform certain jobs that were difficult or dangerous for humans, particularly jobs that involve high heat. And since robots were tireless and never got hungry, sleepy, or distracted, they were useful for tasks that would be tiring or boring for humans. Industrial robots have been improved over the years, and today they are used in many factories around the world. Though the use of robots has meant the loss of some jobs, at the same time other jobs have been created in the design, development, and production of the robots.
Rise of the Robots, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Martin Ford, 1988.

Read the following 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 1 to 10.
After more than fifteen years of negotiations and public campaigning, the Global Ocean Treaty entered into force in early 2026. For the first time, areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction are subject to an international framework intended to facilitate large-scale marine conservation. Environmental organisations view the agreement as a decisive shift, addressing decades of fragmented governance and limited oversight in the High Seas, where economic interests have often taken priority over ecological concerns.
Less than one percent of these waters is currently fully or highly protected. This regulatory gap has enabled industrial fishing and potential deep-sea mining activities to proceed with relatively few constraints. [I] The Treaty introduces a procedure allowing governments to designate marine protected areas in international waters. If applied ambitiously, such measures could safeguard over one-third of the global ocean, forming an unprecedented network of protected ecosystems.
The agreement's relevance extends beyond biodiversity. Oceans absorb a significant share of global carbon emissions and help stabilise the planet's climate systems, acting as a buffer against more extreme warming trends. Nearly half of Earth's biodiversity exists beneath the waves, and billions depend on marine ecosystems for food security and economic stability. Protecting the High Seas is therefore closely linked to both environmental balance and human welfare.
[II] However, legal recognition alone does not ensure ecological recovery. Implementation will rely on political resolve, credible scientific assessment and cooperation among states. Proposals for protected zones must be supported by evidence-based evaluations and developed in consultation with affected communities. In the absence of effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, conservation commitments may lack practical impact.
Governments have pledged to protect 30 percent of the world's oceans by 2030 – a target commonly known as "30x30." [III] Achieving this ambition requires identifying ecologically critical regions and limiting extractive activities accordingly. The first Conference of the Parties (COP) will influence how obligations are interpreted and applied in practice.
[IV] The Treaty signals progress in international environmental diplomacy. Whether it ultimately reshapes ocean governance will depend on the extent to which states convert formal commitments into sustained action.
(Adapted from https://www.greenpeace.org.uk)

Read the following 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 25 to 34.
The Impact of Internet Slang on Modern English

The formal acceptance of internet slang shows a fundamental change in how the English language grows today. Some people may think that terms like “skibidi,” “delulu,” or “tradwife” are just short-term digital trends. However, their recent inclusion in the Cambridge Dictionary serves as a strong answer to those critics. This decision confirms the lasting influence of the TikTok generation, showing that these expressions are no longer just on the edges of our daily talk but have become central to modern communication.

[I] This phenomenon is not just about a collection of harmless slang words. Instead, it reflects a deeper “post-truth” world where personal beliefs often become more important than facts. [II] For example, the term “delulu,” once a small insult, now shows a social shift where people choose their own reality. [III] At the same time, the “tradwife” movement uses beautiful, glossy social media photos to make traditional housework look like a perfect dream. [IV]

Supporting this change is the “broligarchy” - a powerful group of tech leaders whose platforms control how these terms spread. From using “mouse jigglers” to pretend to be working to the use of “skibidi” as a word that often has no real meaning, these terms reflect the complex social lives of our tech-focused era.

Why does this “internet talk” matter so much? It works like a “soothing lullaby” where chaotic media makes the public feel comfortable but also disconnected from real life. Experts argue that the younger generation is very good at using ironic humor but struggles to find real meaning in things. If these simple phrases continue to replace serious thought, we might lose our ability to use language as a tool for clarity. It is essential to see the hollow nature of these attractive digital trends to protect our intellectual depth in an age where computer algorithms have so much influence over what we think and say.

Buying a house is the single largest financial investment an individual makes. Yet, in India this act is fraught with risk and individuals depend on weak laws for justice. Occasionally, deviant promoters are called to account as was the case in the detention of Unitech's promoters. This incident shows up the fallout of an absence of proper regulation to cover contracts between buyers and real estate promoters. A real estate bill, which is presently pending in Rajya Sabha, seeks to fill this gap. It has been debated for over two years and should be passed by Parliament in the budget session.
India is in the midst of rapid urbanization and urban population is expected to more than double to about 900 million over the next three decades. Unfortunately, even the current population does not have adequate housing. A government estimate in 2012 put the shortage at nearly 19 million units. If this shortage is to be alleviated quickly, India's messy real estate sector needs reforms.
The real estate bill seeks to set standards for contracts between buyers and sellers. Transparency, a rare commodity in real estate, is enforced as promoters have to upload project details on the regulators' website. Importantly, standard definitions of terms mean that buyers will not feel cheated after taking possession of a house. In order to protect buyers who pay upfront, a part of the money collected for a real estate project is ring-fenced in a separate bank account. Also, given the uncertainty, which exists in India on land titles, the real estate bill provides title insurance. This bill has been scrutinized by two parliamentary committees and its passage now brooks no delay.
This bill is an important step in cleaning up the real estate market, but the journey should not end with it. State governments play a significant role in real estate and they are often the source of problems. Some estimates suggest that real estate developers have to seek approvals of as many as 40 central and state departments, which lead to delays and an escalation in the cost of houses. Sensibly, NDA government's project to provide universal urban housing forces states to institute reforms to access central funding. Without real estate reforms at the level of states, it will not be possible to meet the ambition of making housing accessible for all urban dwellers.

Buying a house is the single largest financial investment an individual makes. Yet, in India this act is fraught with risk and individuals depend on weak laws for justice. Occasionally, deviant promoters are called to account as was the case in the detention of Unitech's promoters. This incident shows up the fallout of an absence of proper regulation to cover contracts between buyers and real estate promoters. A real estate bill, which is presently pending in Rajya Sabha, seeks to fill this gap. It has been debated for over two years and should be passed by Parliament in the budget session.
India is in the midst of rapid urbanization and urban population is expected to more than double to about 900 million over the next three decades. Unfortunately, even the current population does not have adequate housing. A government estimate in 2012 put the shortage at nearly 19 million units. If this shortage is to be alleviated quickly, India's messy real estate sector needs reforms.
The real estate bill seeks to set standards for contracts between buyers and sellers. Transparency, a rare commodity in real estate, is enforced as promoters have to upload project details on the regulators' website. Importantly, standard definitions of terms mean that buyers will not feel cheated after taking possession of a house. In order to protect buyers who pay upfront, a part of the money collected for a real estate project is ring-fenced in a separate bank account. Also, given the uncertainty, which exists in India on land titles, the real estate bill provides title insurance. This bill has been scrutinized by two parliamentary committees and its passage now brooks no delay.
This bill is an important step in cleaning up the real estate market, but the journey should not end with it. State governments play a significant role in real estate and they are often the source of problems. Some estimates suggest that real estate developers have to seek approvals of as many as 40 central and state departments, which lead to delays and an escalation in the cost of houses. Sensibly, NDA government's project to provide universal urban housing forces states to institute reforms to access central funding. Without real estate reforms at the level of states, it will not be possible to meet the ambition of making housing accessible for all urban dwellers.

Buying a house is the single largest financial investment an individual makes. Yet, in India this act is fraught with risk and individuals depend on weak laws for justice. Occasionally, deviant promoters are called to account as was the case in the detention of Unitech's promoters. This incident shows up the fallout of an absence of proper regulation to cover contracts between buyers and real estate promoters. A real estate bill, which is presently pending in Rajya Sabha, seeks to fill this gap. It has been debated for over two years and should be passed by Parliament in the budget session.
India is in the midst of rapid urbanization and urban population is expected to more than double to about 900 million over the next three decades. Unfortunately, even the current population does not have adequate housing. A government estimate in 2012 put the shortage at nearly 19 million units. If this shortage is to be alleviated quickly, India's messy real estate sector needs reforms.
The real estate bill seeks to set standards for contracts between buyers and sellers. Transparency, a rare commodity in real estate, is enforced as promoters have to upload project details on the regulators' website. Importantly, standard definitions of terms mean that buyers will not feel cheated after taking possession of a house. In order to protect buyers who pay upfront, a part of the money collected for a real estate project is ring-fenced in a separate bank account. Also, given the uncertainty, which exists in India on land titles, the real estate bill provides title insurance. This bill has been scrutinized by two parliamentary committees and its passage now brooks no delay.
This bill is an important step in cleaning up the real estate market, but the journey should not end with it. State governments play a significant role in real estate and they are often the source of problems. Some estimates suggest that real estate developers have to seek approvals of as many as 40 central and state departments, which lead to delays and an escalation in the cost of houses. Sensibly, NDA government's project to provide universal urban housing forces states to institute reforms to access central funding. Without real estate reforms at the level of states, it will not be possible to meet the ambition of making housing accessible for all urban dwellers.

Sometimes you know things about people the first time you see them, for example, that you want to be friends with them or that you don't trust them. But perhaps this kind of intuition isn't as hard to explain as it may seem. For instance, people give out their body language signals all the time. The way you hold your body, head and arms tells people about your mood. If you hold your arms tightly at your sides, or fold them across your chest, people will generally feel that you are being defensive. Holding your head to one side shows interest in the other, while an easy, open posture indicates that you are self-confident. All this affects the way you feel about someone.

Also, a stranger may remind you of a meeting with someone. This may be because of something as simple as the fact that he or she is physically similar to someone who treated you well or badly. Your feelings about a stranger could be influenced by a smell in the air that brings to mind a place where you were happy as a child. Since even a single word can bring back a memory such as that, you may never realize it is happening.

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

The Arts and Crafts Movement in the United States was responsible for sweeping changes in attitudes toward the decorative arts, then considered the minor or household arts. Its focus on decorative arts helped to induce United States museums and private collectors to begin collecting furniture, glass, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The fact that artisans, who were looked on as mechanics or skilled workers in the eighteenth century, are frequently considered artists today is directly attributable to the Arts and Crafts Movement of the nineteenth century. The importance now placed on attractive and harmonious home decoration can also be traced to this period, when Victorian interior arrangements were revised to admit greater light and more freely flowing spaces.

The Arts and Crafts Movement reacts against mechanized processes that threatened handcrafts and resulted in cheapened, monotonous merchandise. Founded in the late nineteenth century by British social critics John Ruskin and William Morris, the movement revered craft as a form of art. In a rapidly industrializing society, most Victorians agreed that art was an essential moral ingredient in the home environment, and in many middle- and working-class homes craft was the only form of art. Ruskin and his followers criticized not only the degradation of artisans reduced to machine operators, but also the impending loss of daily contact with handcrafted objects, fashioned with pride, integrity, and attention to beauty.

In the United States as well as in Great Britain, reformers extolled the virtues of handcrafted objects: simple, straightforward design; solid materials of good quality; and sound, enduring construction techniques. These criteria were interpreted in a variety of styles, ranging from rational and geometric to romantic or naturalistic. Whether abstract, stylized, or realistically treated, the consistent theme in virtually all Arts and Crafts design is nature.

The Arts and Crafts Movement was much more than a particular style; it was a philosophy of domestic life. Proponents believed that if simple design, high-quality materials, and honest construction were realized in the home and its appointments, then the occupants would enjoy moral and therapeutic effects. For both artisan and consumer, the Arts and Crafts doctrine was seen as a magical force against the undesirable effects of industrialization.

People used to know more or less how their children would live. Now things are changing so quickly that they don't even know what their own lives will be like in a few years' time. What follows is not science fiction. It is how experts see the future.
You are daydreaming behind the steering wheel; is it too dangerous? No! That's no problem because you have it on automatic pilot, and with its hi-tech computers and cameras, your car “know” how to get you home safe and sound.
What is for lunch? In the old days you used to stop off to buy a hamburger or a pizza. Now you use your diagnostic machine to find out which foods your body needs. If your body needs more vegetables and less fat, your food-preparation machine makes you a salad.
After lunch, you go down the hall to your home office. Here you have everything you need to do your work. Thanks to your information screen and your latest generation computer, you needn't go to the office any more. The information screen shows an urgent message from a coworker in Brazil. You can instantly send back a reply to him and go on to deal with other matters.

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

URBANISATION: A GROWING PHENOMENON

Urbanisation is the process through which cities grow, and higher populations begin to inhabit urban areas. This phenomenon has accelerated significantly over the past few decades due to various factors. One of the primary drivers is the search for better employment opportunities. In rural areas, job prospects are often limited to agriculture and small-scale industries, which might not provide sufficient income. Consequently, people migrate to cities seeking better livelihoods and living standards.

Additionally, urban areas offer more advanced educational facilities and healthcare services compared to rural regions. Many families move to cities to provide their children with higher-quality education and greater future opportunities. Access to hospitals and specialized medical services also attracts people to urban centers, especially in countries where rural healthcare is underdeveloped.

However, rapid urbanisation brings about several challenges. Overcrowding in cities can lead to inadequate housing, strained infrastructure, and increased pollution. The expansion of urban areas often results in the loss of green spaces and agricultural land, impacting food production and the environment. Governments and city planners must address these issues to ensure sustainable urban growth.

Despite these challenges, urbanisation has several positive aspects. Cities are often cultural melting pots, where diverse groups of people interact, leading to vibrant communities and innovation. The concentration of resources and talents in urban areas can drive economic growth and technological advancements.

(Adapted from https://copilot.microsoft.com)

Martin Luther King, Jf, is well- known for his work in civil rights and for his many famous speeches, among which is his moving "I have a dream" speech. But fewer people know much about King's childhooD. M.L., as he was called, was bom in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the home of his maternal grandfather. M.L.'s grandfather purchased their home on Auburn Avenue in 1909, twenty years before M.L was bom. His grandfather allowed the house to be used as a meeting place for a number of organizations dedicated to the education and social advancement of blacks. M.L. grew up in the atmosphere, with his home being used as a community gathering place, and was no doubt influenced by it.

M.L.'s childhood was not especially eventfully. His father was a minister and his mother was a musician. He was the second of three children, and he attended all black schools in a black neighborhood. The neighborhood was not poor, however. Auburn Avenue was an area of banks, insurance companies, builders, jewelers, tailors, doctors, lawyers, and other businesses and services. Even in the face of Atlanta's segregation, the district thrived. Dr. King never forgot the community spirit he had known as a child, nor did he forget the racial prejudice that was a huge barrier keeping black Atlantans from mingling with whites.

Martin Luther King, Jf, is well- known for his work in civil rights and for his many famous speeches, among which is his moving "I have a dream" speech. But fewer people know much about King's childhooD. M.L., as he was called, was bom in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the home of his maternal grandfather. M.L.'s grandfather purchased their home on Auburn Avenue in 1909, twenty years before M.L was bom. His grandfather allowed the house to be used as a meeting place for a number of organizations dedicated to the education and social advancement of blacks. M.L. grew up in the atmosphere, with his home being used as a community gathering place, and was no doubt influenced by it.

M.L.'s childhood was not especially eventfully. His father was a minister and his mother was a musician. He was the second of three children, and he attended all black schools in a black neighborhood. The neighborhood was not poor, however. Auburn Avenue was an area of banks, insurance companies, builders, jewelers, tailors, doctors, lawyers, and other businesses and services. Even in the face of Atlanta's segregation, the district thrived. Dr. King never forgot the community spirit he had known as a child, nor did he forget the racial prejudice that was a huge barrier keeping black Atlantans from mingling with whites.

The pursuit of fame has never been more popular than it is today. Where fame was once reserved for the most gifted artists in the entertainment industry, these days it seems that anyone from a reality TV contestant to an online video blogger can become famous.
Most talent show contestants and video bloggers are young people with little or no idea about how to handle fame. They can struggle to cope with the sudden glare of the spotlight. Then, as their new-found fame ends and the public's attention turns elsewhere, these facing stars often struggle to readjust to normality.

However, hanging on to fame has its own pitfalls. Fame brings a loss of privacy as a star's life becomes the subject of media attention and, sometimes, cruel rumour. This can have a serious effect on their friendships. People who desire fame have to be prepared to live their life under a microscope. Fame may build confidence, but it can also destroy this confidence, bringing insecurity, depression and loneliness.

It is important to put human emotions and relationships before fame because, after all, fame does not bring happiness. The bright lights of fame have blinded many wannabes who, later, end up feeling lonely and confused. Fame is fleeting for most people, but the real world is lasting for everyone.
(Adapted from On Screen by Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley)

Like many constructions, it started small; but now thousands of children with autism are making friends and learning social skills by playing a version of online building game Minecraft. Stuart Duncan, a web developer in Timmins, Canada, got the idea through a popular blog he ran about his own experiences with autism as well as bringing up a son with autism. Other parents with autistic children started telling him that their kids were enamoured with a game that let them explore a randomly generated wilderness. However, many of the children were being bullied by other players. So, in 2013, he set up a server to run a version of Minecraft exclusively for children with autism and their families.

At first, he thought the invite-only server would attract 10 or 20 people. To his amazement, hundreds requested to join in the first few days. Now, almost three years later, the community boasts nearly 7000 members, along with a team of admins to help manage its many activities. "Parents see such a benefit for themselves and their children," says Duncan.

Everyday social situations can be challenging for autistic children, who may struggle to pick up on social cues or understand another person's perspective. Minecraft strips away the pressures typical of the real world. There is no noisy or unfamiliar environment to distract you, no pressure to track the other person's facial expressions or worry about eye contact. "With Minecraft, you can really just be yourself," he says.

To join Autcraft, you must fill out an application. Once approved, you are free to roam the landscape and build your own structures. You can also take part in group games or build things as a team. However, you have to stick to some rules. Harassing other players or destroying their property can get you banned.

Joining a community like Autcraft could be a good first step to feeling less socially anxious and more engaged, says Elizabeth Laugeson, director of the PEERS Clinic at the University of California, Los Angeles. The server also caught the eye of Kate Ringland at the University of California, Irvine. She sees Autcraft as not just another online community, but as a tool that helps autistic children practise social skills. "There's a lot of reflection going on," she says. "Autcraft is supporting a lot of social behaviours."
(Adapted from https://www.newscientist.com/)

After two decades of growing student enrollments and economic prosperity, business schools in the United States have started to face harder times. Only Harvard's MBA School has shown a substantial increase in enrollment in recent years. Both Princeton and Stanford have seen decreases in their enrollments. Since 1990, the number of people receiving Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degrees, has dropped about 3 percent to 75,000, and the trend of lower enrollment rates is expected to continue.
There are two factors causing this decrease in students seeking an MBA degree. The first one is that many graduates of four-year colleges are finding that an MBA degree does not guarantee a plush job on Wall Street, or in other financial districts of major American cities. Many of the entry-level management jobs are going to students graduating with Master of Arts degrees in English and the humanities as well as those holding MBA degrees. Students have asked the question, "Is an MBA degree really what I need to be best prepared for getting a good job?" The second major factor has been the cutting of American payrolls and the lower number of entry-level jobs being offered. Business needs are changing, and MBA schools are struggling to meet the new demands.
(Adapted from Exam Essentials Practice Tests - Cambridge English by Tom Bradbury and Eunice Yates)

Although there is not a simple answer, scientists and environmentalists are developing new ideas to address the plastic problem. Some scientists are working on developing biodegradable replacements for plastics. A group of researchers from Harvard created a plastic-like substance made from shrimp shells. In Indonesia, a company replaced plastic bags and soap wrappers with packaging made from seaweed.
Instead of engineering plastic replacements, others are taking on the collection of plastics in landfills and oceans. Microbiologists from Pakistan tried using mushroom enzymes to break down plastics in garbage dumps more quickly. Engineers in the Netherlands developed a nearly 2,000-foot-long ocean garbage truck, which travels the waters and collects plastics. Known as System 001, this ocean trash collector is heading to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch for some cleanup. A nonprofit organization called The Plastic Bank pays community members for plastics that they collect. By incentivising plastic pick-ups, The Plastic Bank prevents these materials from ending up in the ocean and recycles the collected plastics into new products. Environmentalists also recommend that citizens can take action to decrease their consumption of ever-convenient plastics. Environmentalists urge citizens to reduce their use of single-use plastics, plastics used once and then tossed. Worldwide, 73% of beach litter comes from single-use plastics, like plastic straws, cups, bags, and utensils, reports National Geographic.
Secondly, environmentalists encourage individuals to recycle plastics. Recycled plastics can be repurposed into new products - suitcases, furniture, new bottles, laundry detergent, and much more. But it is important to sort recyclables from trash carefully. Tom Szaky, CEO of a recycling company, said, "Typically, 50% of what you put in your recycling bin is never recycled. It's sorted and thrown out. This is partly due to user error, a common problem which occurs when people place unrecyclable materials into recycling bins."