Question

"Biodegradable Plastic Bags, Not So Biodegradable"by Vicky SteinBiodegradable plastic bags are marketed as more eco-friendly solutions, able to break down into harmless material more quickly than traditional plastics. One company claims their shopping bag “will degrade and biodegrade in a continuous, irreversible and unstoppable process” if it ends up as litter in the environment.In a study published this week in Environmental Science and Technology, researchers put supposedly eco-friendly bags made from various organic and plastic materials and sourced from U.K. stores to the test. After three years buried in garden soil, submerged in ocean water, exposed to open light and air or stashed in a laboratory, none of the bags broke down completely in all the environments.In fact, the biodegradable bags that had been left underwater in a marina could still hold a full load of groceries.“What is the role of some of these really innovative and novel polymers?” asked Richard Thompson, a marine biologist from the University of Plymouth and the study’s senior author. A polymer is a repeating chain of chemicals that makes up a plastic’s structure, whether biodegradable or synthetic.“They’re challenging to recycle and are very slow to degrade if they become litter in the environment,” Thompson said, suggesting these biodegradable plastics may be causing more problems than they solve.© NewsHour Productions LLC. All Rights Use the passage to answer the question.What counterclaims does the author use? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)ResponsesBiodegradable bags do not break down as expected.Biodegradable bags do not break down as expected.Biodegradable bags are marketed as eco-friendly.Biodegradable bags are marketed as eco-friendly.Biodegradable bags are similar to synthetics.Biodegradable bags are similar to synthetics.Biodegradable bags are said to harmlessly disintegrate.Biodegradable bags are said to harmlessly disintegrate.Biodegradable bags need more study and research.

Answer 1

The two correct counterclaims used by the author are:

1. Biodegradable bags do not break down as expected.
2. Biodegradable bags are said to harmlessly disintegrate.