Question

microplastics are pieces of plastic that are smaller than a grain of rice. these small plastics can be found in large quantities in ocean waters. ecologist jessica reichert and her team are studying the role reef - building corals have in capturing microplastics from ocean waters. through research, her team has found that these corals may be storing up to 20 million kilograms of microplastics each year in their skeletons and tissues. which choice best states the main idea of the text? choose 1 answer: a) ecologists are interested in learning more about how certain corals build large reefs. b) microplastics are small pieces of plastic that can be found in ocean waters. c) questions remain around the impact certain corals have on ocean ecosystems. d) ecologists predict that corals store large amounts of microplastics from ocean waters.

Explanation:

• Option A: The text is about corals capturing microplastics, not about how corals build reefs. Eliminate A.
• Option B: While microplastics being in ocean waters is mentioned, the main focus is on corals storing microplastics, not just defining microplastics. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The text presents a finding about corals and microplastics, not questions about coral impact on ecosystems. Eliminate C.
• Option D: The text states that Jessica Reichert's team found corals may store up to 20 million kilograms of microplastics each year, which means ecologists (her team) have this prediction/finding about corals storing large amounts of microplastics from ocean waters. This matches the main idea.

Answer:

D. Ecologists predict that corals store large amounts of microplastics from ocean waters