MUET 12 JULY 2017
5
Save our rivers By MAWAR MUSTAFA
DO you know that an average of 2,200 tonnes of rubbish are thrown into Malaysian waterways every month? This figure is equivalent to the weight of 1,800 units of Proton Waja.
Not just that, if 2,200 tonnes of Proton Waja were to be stacked up on top of each other, it would reach seven times the height of the Petronas Twin Towers. Shocking, isn’t it? According to the article Rubbish lay waste to waterways published
in The Star, on July 25, 2016, a total of 21 tonnes of rubbish are collected in just the upper part of Sungai Klang monthly. Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) vice-chairman Datuk Hanapi Mohamad Noor said that in Malaysia, 97% of water used
for domestic, industrial and irrigation purposes came from surface water in rivers and reservoirs. “If more people realise that the water they are drinking comes from rivers, they may think twice before polluting it,” he added.
Making the most of infographics
6&7
Writing with ease
Thus, it is crucial for Malaysians to make an earnest effort to keep our rivers clean. The infographic below shows some of the things that people dump in Malaysian rivers, along with their estimated decomposition rates.
Rubbish dumped in our rivers *Estimated decomposition rates
Source: The Star, July 25, 2016
Orange and banana peels 2 to 5 weeks
Papers 2 months
Polystyrene containers Never
Waxed carton boxes 3 months
Glass bottles 1 million years
Plywood 1 to 3 years
Plastic bottles and disposable diapers 450 years Aluminium cans 80 to 200 years
ACTIVITY 1
Plastic bags 10 to 20 years
Cigarette butts 1 to 5 years
In groups of four, discuss the things from the infographic that can be reused or recycled. Write them down in the table below. THINGS THAT CAN BE REUSED
ACTIVITY 2
In your list above, did you include orange and banana peels? Orange and banana peels can be recycled into some very beneficial things. Now, in your group, carry out a WebQuest to find out ways in which all the things in your list can be recycled. (A WebQuest is an enquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Internet). Write down the results of your WebQuest in the table below. The first one has been done for you.
RUBBISH ITEM Banana peel
ACTIVITY 3
THINGS THAT CAN BE RECYCLED
Plastic bags present a serious threat to the environment and marine ecosystems. While much has been said on the topic, many Malaysians can still be seen carrying plastic, instead of reusable, bags. Do you recognise the five types of people in the infographic on the right? The first type shows a commendable habit, while the other four types need to change their behaviours. What advice or suggestions would you give to these four types of people?
RECYCLED AS Shoe polish
METHOD Rub the inside of a banana peel around your shoe and then buff it with a white cloth.
Five types of people
Source: StarMetro, Aug 22, 2016
1
The ones who bring their own bags.
2
The ones who do not mind spending 20 sen for a plastic bag.
3
The ones who are not willing to spend on plastic bags but will push the shopping trolley all the way to their cars to transfer the items that were purchased.
4
Those who don’t shop on Saturdays.
5
The ones who use the free plastic bags meant for packing vegetables.
TYPE
2 3 4 5
ADVICE / SUGGESTION