Should Plastic Bags Be Banned?

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryOpinion / Argumentative2 min read349 words
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Should Washington Ban Plastic Bags?

Imagine you are walking along a beautiful beach near Puget Sound. You see birds flying, seals swimming, and…plastic bags floating in the water? Plastic bags are a big problem for our environment, especially places like Puget Sound. Many people think that Washington State should ban single-use plastic bags. But is that the right thing to do?

What's the Problem?

Single-use plastic bags are the kind you get at the grocery store. They seem handy, but they can cause a lot of trouble. First, they often end up as litter. The wind blows them into our streets, parks, and waterways. This litter is ugly and pollutes our environment.

Second, plastic bags can hurt animals. Sea turtles, for example, might think a plastic bag is a jellyfish and eat it. This can make them very sick or even cause them to die. Other animals can get tangled in plastic bags, making it hard for them to move or find food.

Why Ban Them?

Glossary
Single-use:
Made to be used only once and then thrown away.
Pollute:
To make something dirty or harmful.
Reusable:
Able to be used again and again.
environment:
Everything in nature around us, including the air, water, land, plants, and animals.
litter:
Trash or garbage that is left lying on the ground in public places instead of being put in a trash can.
effective:
Working well to get the result that was planned or wanted.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1Why are plastic bags a problem for the environment?
  2. 2How do plastic bags hurt sea turtles?

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About this opinion / argumentative passage for Upper Elementary

“Should Plastic Bags Be Banned?” is a opinion / argumentative reading passage about Environmental Protection, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (349 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “Should Plastic Bags Be Banned?” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “Should Plastic Bags Be Banned?”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a opinion / argumentative text about Environmental Protection, about a 2-minute read (349 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.