Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.
This is the text (if you need help).
A natural solution to the growing crisis of plastic waste in the environment may be at hand. Researchers have discovered that a tiny caterpillar, commonly known as a waxworm, has a taste for plastic. Researchers from Cambridge University in the UK say that the waxworm devours plastic at "uniquely high speeds". They say that it is possible to utilize this environmentally-friendly solution to global waste on an industrial scale. Millions of waxworms could be bred to spend their days breaking down and consuming plastic bags, bottles, household items and other discarded waste. Around a trillion plastic bags end up in landfills around the world each year. They take centuries to biodegrade.
Researcher Dr Paolo Bombelli said: "It's extremely, extremely exciting because breaking down plastic has proved so challenging." He said the waxworm can break down a notoriously tough plastic like polyethylene more than 1,400 times faster than other organisms. The waxworm uses enzymes in its saliva to break the plastic's chemical bonds. It might be possible one day to replicate these enzymes and spray them on waste to make it decompose. Another researcher said: "We are planning to implement this finding in a viable way to get rid of plastic waste, working towards a solution to save our oceans, rivers, and all the environment from the unavoidable consequences of plastic accumulation."
Comprehension questions- What did the article say was growing?
- What is the tiny caterpillar in the article known as?
- On what kind of scale did the article say the worms could be used?
- How many plastic bags end up in landfills around the world?
- How long does plastic waste take to biodegrade?
- What did a researcher say was challenging?
- How many times faster can the worms break down plastics?
- When might it be possible to replicate the enzymes?
- In what way are researchers planning to implement this finding?
- What do researchers want to save besides oceans and rivers?
Back to the plastic-eating worm lesson.
