Many extinct species – from passenger pigeons to woolly mammoths – may now be reclassified as “bodily, but not genetically, extinct”, since their DNA can still be recovered from fossil specimens up to 200,000 years old. Developments in genetic technology may one day help bring such animals back to life. Only species whose DNA is too old to recover, such as dinosaurs, should be regarded as truly extinct.



The attempt to bring vanished creatures back to life will be expensive, technically difficult, and time-consuming, with no guarantee of success, so what makes it worthwhile? That something as final as extinction might be reversed, so that mammoths and passenger pigeons could be seen alive again, evokes the awe and wonder that drive all conservation at its deepest level.

Furthermore, the same logic underlying initiatives to protect endangered species applies to de-extinction plans: to restore and preserve biodiversity, advance scientific knowledge, and undo previous destruction. In this sense, resurrected species could become beacons of hope. While close examination of extinct species’ genomes can speak volumes about what made them vulnerable in the first place, living specimens would reveal even more. De-extinction techniques would also be directly applicable to critically endangered species, helping restore their genetic diversity. Lastly, as some extinct species once played vital roles in their ecosystems, bringing them back could also revive ecological richness and inspire wider conservation.

If de-extinction succeeds, today’s young people will have a chance to experience the return of some remarkable creatures in their lifetime – an experience that may define their generation’s attitude to the natural world and conservation. Given the number of species that have died out over the last 10,000 years due to manmade destruction, some resurrection and a measure of redemption are in order.

(Adapted from www.nationalgeographic.com)

Many extinct species – from passenger pigeons to woolly mammoths – may now be reclassified as “bodily, but not genetically, extinct”, since their DNA can still be recovered from fossil specimens up to 200,000 years old. Developments in genetic technology may one day help bring such animals back to life. Only species whose DNA is too old to recover, such as dinosaurs, should be regarded as truly extinct.



The attempt to bring vanished creatures back to life will be expensive, technically difficult, and time-consuming, with no guarantee of success, so what makes it worthwhile? That something as final as extinction might be reversed, so that mammoths and passenger pigeons could be seen alive again, evokes the awe and wonder that drive all conservation at its deepest level.

Furthermore, the same logic underlying initiatives to protect endangered species applies to de-extinction plans: to restore and preserve biodiversity, advance scientific knowledge, and undo previous destruction. In this sense, resurrected species could become beacons of hope. While close examination of extinct species’ genomes can speak volumes about what made them vulnerable in the first place, living specimens would reveal even more. De-extinction techniques would also be directly applicable to critically endangered species, helping restore their genetic diversity. Lastly, as some extinct species once played vital roles in their ecosystems, bringing them back could also revive ecological richness and inspire wider conservation.

If de-extinction succeeds, today’s young people will have a chance to experience the return of some remarkable creatures in their lifetime – an experience that may define their generation’s attitude to the natural world and conservation. Given the number of species that have died out over the last 10,000 years due to manmade destruction, some resurrection and a measure of redemption are in order.

(Adapted from www.nationalgeographic.com)

Many extinct species – from passenger pigeons to woolly mammoths – may now be reclassified as “bodily, but not genetically, extinct”, since their DNA can still be recovered from fossil specimens up to 200,000 years old. Developments in genetic technology may one day help bring such animals back to life. Only species whose DNA is too old to recover, such as dinosaurs, should be regarded as truly extinct.



The attempt to bring vanished creatures back to life will be expensive, technically difficult, and time-consuming, with no guarantee of success, so what makes it worthwhile? That something as final as extinction might be reversed, so that mammoths and passenger pigeons could be seen alive again, evokes the awe and wonder that drive all conservation at its deepest level.

Furthermore, the same logic underlying initiatives to protect endangered species applies to de-extinction plans: to restore and preserve biodiversity, advance scientific knowledge, and undo previous destruction. In this sense, resurrected species could become beacons of hope. While close examination of extinct species’ genomes can speak volumes about what made them vulnerable in the first place, living specimens would reveal even more. De-extinction techniques would also be directly applicable to critically endangered species, helping restore their genetic diversity. Lastly, as some extinct species once played vital roles in their ecosystems, bringing them back could also revive ecological richness and inspire wider conservation.

If de-extinction succeeds, today’s young people will have a chance to experience the return of some remarkable creatures in their lifetime – an experience that may define their generation’s attitude to the natural world and conservation. Given the number of species that have died out over the last 10,000 years due to manmade destruction, some resurrection and a measure of redemption are in order.

(Adapted from www.nationalgeographic.com)

Read the following blog post and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 20 to 25.

Tales by Chapter: A memorable new restaurant opening
Plant-based eating in Vietnam has long been connected to thuần chay – food rooted in religious (20) ______, eaten on specific days, and prepared and presented simply. Tales by Chapter is the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to challenge that idea directly – not by rejecting tradition, (21) ______ by reimagining it entirely.



Before sitting down at your table, you can already see the restaurant's creative (22) _______ in the entry hall, where food projects are displayed like artworks. Ingredients often (23) _______ away, such as beet skins, tomato pulp, and vegetable offcuts, reappear transformed into edible leathers. At the heart of the restaurant is Chef Quoc Hung, (24) _______ mission is to handle vegetables with such skill that their (25) _______ flavors shine through.
For more information about Tales by Chapter's tasting menu and bookings, call 036815012588 or visit talessgn.com.
(Adapted from lovelechan.com)

Read the following blog post and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 20 to 25.

Tales by Chapter: A memorable new restaurant opening
Plant-based eating in Vietnam has long been connected to thuần chay – food rooted in religious (20) ______, eaten on specific days, and prepared and presented simply. Tales by Chapter is the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to challenge that idea directly – not by rejecting tradition, (21) ______ by reimagining it entirely.



Before sitting down at your table, you can already see the restaurant's creative (22) _______ in the entry hall, where food projects are displayed like artworks. Ingredients often (23) _______ away, such as beet skins, tomato pulp, and vegetable offcuts, reappear transformed into edible leathers. At the heart of the restaurant is Chef Quoc Hung, (24) _______ mission is to handle vegetables with such skill that their (25) _______ flavors shine through.
For more information about Tales by Chapter's tasting menu and bookings, call 036815012588 or visit talessgn.com.
(Adapted from lovelechan.com)

Read the following blog post and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 20 to 25.

Tales by Chapter: A memorable new restaurant opening
Plant-based eating in Vietnam has long been connected to thuần chay – food rooted in religious (20) ______, eaten on specific days, and prepared and presented simply. Tales by Chapter is the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to challenge that idea directly – not by rejecting tradition, (21) ______ by reimagining it entirely.



Before sitting down at your table, you can already see the restaurant's creative (22) _______ in the entry hall, where food projects are displayed like artworks. Ingredients often (23) _______ away, such as beet skins, tomato pulp, and vegetable offcuts, reappear transformed into edible leathers. At the heart of the restaurant is Chef Quoc Hung, (24) _______ mission is to handle vegetables with such skill that their (25) _______ flavors shine through.
For more information about Tales by Chapter's tasting menu and bookings, call 036815012588 or visit talessgn.com.
(Adapted from lovelechan.com)

Read the following blog post and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 20 to 25.

Tales by Chapter: A memorable new restaurant opening
Plant-based eating in Vietnam has long been connected to thuần chay – food rooted in religious (20) ______, eaten on specific days, and prepared and presented simply. Tales by Chapter is the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to challenge that idea directly – not by rejecting tradition, (21) ______ by reimagining it entirely.



Before sitting down at your table, you can already see the restaurant's creative (22) _______ in the entry hall, where food projects are displayed like artworks. Ingredients often (23) _______ away, such as beet skins, tomato pulp, and vegetable offcuts, reappear transformed into edible leathers. At the heart of the restaurant is Chef Quoc Hung, (24) _______ mission is to handle vegetables with such skill that their (25) _______ flavors shine through.
For more information about Tales by Chapter's tasting menu and bookings, call 036815012588 or visit talessgn.com.
(Adapted from lovelechan.com)

Read the following blog post and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 20 to 25.

Tales by Chapter: A memorable new restaurant opening
Plant-based eating in Vietnam has long been connected to thuần chay – food rooted in religious (20) ______, eaten on specific days, and prepared and presented simply. Tales by Chapter is the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City to challenge that idea directly – not by rejecting tradition, (21) ______ by reimagining it entirely.



Before sitting down at your table, you can already see the restaurant's creative (22) _______ in the entry hall, where food projects are displayed like artworks. Ingredients often (23) _______ away, such as beet skins, tomato pulp, and vegetable offcuts, reappear transformed into edible leathers. At the heart of the restaurant is Chef Quoc Hung, (24) _______ mission is to handle vegetables with such skill that their (25) _______ flavors shine through.
For more information about Tales by Chapter's tasting menu and bookings, call 036815012588 or visit talessgn.com.
(Adapted from lovelechan.com)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

The secret of economic success is innovation. What, then, is the secret of innovation? A look at the red-hot market for grey cells is revealing. Success seems increasingly dependent not on firms but on the brilliance, creativity, and drive of a small cadre of exceptional individuals – for whom companies and institutions worldwide must compete if they want to lead in such fields as technology, finance, and science.

Across sectors, the rewards for the new superstars are growing, too. Many programmers and recording artists in their 20s now command seven-, eight- or even nine-figure salaries. Similarly, in the legal profession, earnings that were once distributed more evenly among lawyers now increasingly flow to the top ones at elite firms, who massively outperform their counterparts at second-tier firms. The rising premium on talent is due chiefly to recent technologies: vast computing resources help investors transform their skills into greater profits, while ultra-cheap digital distribution expands markets for individual creators. [I] And from a corporate perspective, the potential rewards for winning the race are so enormous that they turn even the most extravagant individual salary into a rounding error.

That technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will further extend the dominance of top performers, enabling them to do even better, is a boon to them. But it is also good news for everyone else, because ageing societies will struggle to grow economically unless productivity and innovation remain strong. [II] However, the real irony is that, even as many countries are pouring money into economy-boosting schemes, much of the brainpower essential for national prosperity remains untapped. Despite the world's vast reservoir of talent, too few people are achieving their potential, owing perhaps to financial hardships, limited access to higher education, and the absence of support networks needed to turn promise into performance. When this is the case, the result is a tragic waste of human gifts in both developed and developing countries. [III]

Fortunately, the remedy is well within sight. To attract talent from abroad, countries need to remove the immigration barriers that keep bright students, researchers, and skilled workers out. Domestically, policymakers should be more systematic about supporting talent-spotting programmes and giving those who show early promise the education, funding, and support they need to flourish. [IV]

(Adapted from The Economist)

With smokers flicking an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts – or discarded cigarette ends – into the environment each year, it is time to take a firmer stand against this toxin-laden form of litter. These butts are essentially small toxic waste sites containing harmful chemicals and heavy metals, according to researchers. Especially problematic are the plastic filters found on many cigarettes, (36) ______. In fact, the filters accumulate toxins and can release chemicals for a decade. As millions of tons of butts end up on sidewalks, roadsides, and beaches, tobacco waste carries a high potential for contamination: (37) ______ during coastal cleanups, accounting for 19 percent to 38 percent of the global total.
(38) ______. This is because discarded cigarette ends are not usually classified in the same way as other forms of toxic waste. Thus, reducing the threat will require new environmental measures and closer cooperation between anti-smoking and environmental groups. Gentler approaches could include (39) ______ their cigarette butts into waste bins. At the same time, more far-reaching regulation should also be considered. Governments could ban filtered cigarettes, for instance, or require tobacco companies to take back their waste and pay the cost of cleanups. (40) ______.
(Adapted from Conservation Magazine)

With smokers flicking an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts – or discarded cigarette ends – into the environment each year, it is time to take a firmer stand against this toxin-laden form of litter. These butts are essentially small toxic waste sites containing harmful chemicals and heavy metals, according to researchers. Especially problematic are the plastic filters found on many cigarettes, (36) ______. In fact, the filters accumulate toxins and can release chemicals for a decade. As millions of tons of butts end up on sidewalks, roadsides, and beaches, tobacco waste carries a high potential for contamination: (37) ______ during coastal cleanups, accounting for 19 percent to 38 percent of the global total.
(38) ______. This is because discarded cigarette ends are not usually classified in the same way as other forms of toxic waste. Thus, reducing the threat will require new environmental measures and closer cooperation between anti-smoking and environmental groups. Gentler approaches could include (39) ______ their cigarette butts into waste bins. At the same time, more far-reaching regulation should also be considered. Governments could ban filtered cigarettes, for instance, or require tobacco companies to take back their waste and pay the cost of cleanups. (40) ______.
(Adapted from Conservation Magazine)

With smokers flicking an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts – or discarded cigarette ends – into the environment each year, it is time to take a firmer stand against this toxin-laden form of litter. These butts are essentially small toxic waste sites containing harmful chemicals and heavy metals, according to researchers. Especially problematic are the plastic filters found on many cigarettes, (36) ______. In fact, the filters accumulate toxins and can release chemicals for a decade. As millions of tons of butts end up on sidewalks, roadsides, and beaches, tobacco waste carries a high potential for contamination: (37) ______ during coastal cleanups, accounting for 19 percent to 38 percent of the global total.
(38) ______. This is because discarded cigarette ends are not usually classified in the same way as other forms of toxic waste. Thus, reducing the threat will require new environmental measures and closer cooperation between anti-smoking and environmental groups. Gentler approaches could include (39) ______ their cigarette butts into waste bins. At the same time, more far-reaching regulation should also be considered. Governments could ban filtered cigarettes, for instance, or require tobacco companies to take back their waste and pay the cost of cleanups. (40) ______.
(Adapted from Conservation Magazine)

With smokers flicking an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts – or discarded cigarette ends – into the environment each year, it is time to take a firmer stand against this toxin-laden form of litter. These butts are essentially small toxic waste sites containing harmful chemicals and heavy metals, according to researchers. Especially problematic are the plastic filters found on many cigarettes, (36) ______. In fact, the filters accumulate toxins and can release chemicals for a decade. As millions of tons of butts end up on sidewalks, roadsides, and beaches, tobacco waste carries a high potential for contamination: (37) ______ during coastal cleanups, accounting for 19 percent to 38 percent of the global total.
(38) ______. This is because discarded cigarette ends are not usually classified in the same way as other forms of toxic waste. Thus, reducing the threat will require new environmental measures and closer cooperation between anti-smoking and environmental groups. Gentler approaches could include (39) ______ their cigarette butts into waste bins. At the same time, more far-reaching regulation should also be considered. Governments could ban filtered cigarettes, for instance, or require tobacco companies to take back their waste and pay the cost of cleanups. (40) ______.
(Adapted from Conservation Magazine)

With smokers flicking an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts – or discarded cigarette ends – into the environment each year, it is time to take a firmer stand against this toxin-laden form of litter. These butts are essentially small toxic waste sites containing harmful chemicals and heavy metals, according to researchers. Especially problematic are the plastic filters found on many cigarettes, (36) ______. In fact, the filters accumulate toxins and can release chemicals for a decade. As millions of tons of butts end up on sidewalks, roadsides, and beaches, tobacco waste carries a high potential for contamination: (37) ______ during coastal cleanups, accounting for 19 percent to 38 percent of the global total.
(38) ______. This is because discarded cigarette ends are not usually classified in the same way as other forms of toxic waste. Thus, reducing the threat will require new environmental measures and closer cooperation between anti-smoking and environmental groups. Gentler approaches could include (39) ______ their cigarette butts into waste bins. At the same time, more far-reaching regulation should also be considered. Governments could ban filtered cigarettes, for instance, or require tobacco companies to take back their waste and pay the cost of cleanups. (40) ______.
(Adapted from Conservation Magazine)