Cambridge IELTS 19 · Listening · Test 3 · Part 4
Microplastics — IELTS Listening Answers
All 10 answers for Microplastics, Cambridge IELTS 19 Listening Test 3 Part 4, with the transcript evidence and an explanation for each.
← All Cambridge 19 Listening Test 3 answers
Microplastics answer key at a glance
Questions 31–40. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this part tests
This part is tested with Note Completion (Q31–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 31–40: Note Completion
Strategy: Predict the word class from the note, find the paraphrase of the note's keyword in the transcript, then copy the answer exactly within the word limit.
“Threads and microfibres detach from synthetic clothing every time they’re put in a washing machine”
Microfibres detach from synthetic clothing in the washing machine, so the source named in the note is 'clothing'.
“There is evidence that microplastics harm small creatures in a variety of ways, such as by damaging their mouths, or by impairing their ability to feed, for example when microplastics get lodged in their digestive system.”
Microplastics harm small creatures by damaging their mouths, so the plural noun 'mouths' fills the gap.
“Surprisingly perhaps, it is likely that humans consume microplastics, as these have been detected in a wide range of food and drink products, including bottled water, as well as in water that comes direct from the tap. What’s more, salt and many kinds of seafood have also been found to contain microplastics.”
Besides bottled and tap water, salt and many kinds of seafood contain microplastics, so the gap takes 'salt'.
“In many countries, including here in the UK, there is legislation which prevents manufacturers from adding plastic microbeads to shower gels, facial cleansers and toothpaste.”
Legislation bans microbeads in shower gels, facial cleansers and toothpaste, so the third product is 'toothpaste'.
“but we do know they are carried in the air and deposited in the soil by rain. What’s more, many of the fertilisers used by both farmers and gardeners contain microplastics.”
Many fertilisers used by farmers and gardeners contain microplastics, so the plural noun is 'fertilizers'.
“A team from the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge has carried out a study of the effects of microplastics on the digestive tracts of earthworms. These worms, which live in topsoil, are an essential component of our agricultural system. By feeding on soil, they mix nutrients into it, thereby making it more fertile.”
Earthworms mix nutrients into the soil and make it more fertile, so the gap takes 'nutrients'.
“The researchers set out to discover whether the introduction of microplastics into the soil- and the subsequent ingestion of these by earthworms- would impact soil quality and ultimately inhibit plant growth.”
The study asked whether microplastics would inhibit plant growth, so the noun needed is 'growth'.
“The result was that the worms lost weight rapidly.”
The earthworms lost weight rapidly, so the measurement that changed is 'weight'.
“The team also discovered that there was an increase in the amount of acid found in the soil”
The team found an increase in the amount of acid in the soil, so 'acid' is the answer.
“That is, when soil becomes impoverished by the presence of microplastics, not only ecosystems but also the whole of society are negatively impacted.”
Not only ecosystems but the whole of society are negatively affected, so the gap takes 'society'.
Learn the question types in this part
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Microplastics listening section come from?
It is Part 4 of Cambridge IELTS 19 Listening Test 3, and it covers Questions 31–40.
What question types appear in Microplastics?
The part is tested with Note Completion. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.