[originaltext] How many plastic carrier bags have you got in your house? The

How many plastic carrier bags have you got in your house? The shopping bag is just one example of the million things we use made from this useful material—plastic. (22) But unfortunately, it’s not the easiest thing to recycle and this is causing an environmental problem.
    Some of our everyday plastic items blow away, causing damage to the natural environment and harming wildlife. (23) The problem is most acute in our oceans. A study described how remote islands act as a sink for the world’s rubbish. They become collecting points for fishing items and everyday things that we throw away.
    Because of the durable nature of plastic, it stays there causing great damage to the ocean’s ecology. Some other recent worldwide research estimates that 90% of all seabirds have swallowed plastic. And worse still, this plastic is broken down into tiny particles over a long period by the wind and the waves. (24) Then sea creatures at the bottom of the food chain take in them. These creatures are eaten by the fish that we eventually consume.
    The solution to this problem would be to use less plastic. Several countries now charge for using plastic carrier bags, which reduces the amount used. Some products now use natural and recyclable materials. (25) But it seems inevitable that plastic will continue to be necessary in many of the gadgets that we demand.
    So next time you pick up a carrier bag, or buy a plastic bottle of water, spare a thought for the birds and animals on the islands. What do you do to help the environment?
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
22. What is the root cause of plastic items causing environmental problems?
23. What does the speaker say about the problem of plastic items in oceans?
24. How are tiny plastic particles taken in by humans?
25. What can we learn about plastic from the passage?