Meaning: 'Driven' means to be motivated or propelled by something, in this case, the increase in online shopping and convenience food.

Wrong options:

• equipped: 'Equipped' implies being provided with necessary tools or resources, which does not convey the causal relationship needed in this context.
• governed: 'Governed' suggests control or regulation, which does not fit the context of explaining the reason for increased plastic use.
• provided: 'Provided' indicates supply but lacks the active sense of motivation that 'driven' conveys.

Correct answer: thriving

Explanation: The word 'thriving' accurately describes the industry as flourishing or prospering, which is contextually appropriate given the positive growth statistics mentioned in the previous sentence.

Meaning: 'Thriving' means to be successful or flourishing, indicating that the industry is doing well economically.

Wrong options:

• composite: 'Composite' refers to something made up of various parts, which does not convey the idea of success or growth in this context.
• synthetic: 'Synthetic' relates to something artificially made, which does not fit the context of describing the industry's health or success.
• contended: 'Contended' implies a state of struggle or competition, which contradicts the positive sentiment of the industry being successful.

Correct answer: valued

Explanation: The word 'valued' fits grammatically and contextually as it indicates the worth of the industry in financial terms, aligning with the discussion of economic benefits.

Meaning: 'Valued' means to be estimated at a certain worth, in this case, billions of dollars, highlighting the economic significance of the industry.

Wrong options:

• increased: 'Increased' suggests a rise in quantity but does not convey the financial worth or valuation of the industry as required in this context.
• merged: 'Merged' implies a combination of entities, which does not fit the context of discussing the financial valuation of the industry.
• contracted: 'Contracted' indicates a decrease, which contradicts the idea of the industry being worth billions.

Correct answer: there

Explanation: The word 'there' is used to indicate the existence of something, fitting grammatically and contextually as it introduces the environmental cost associated with plastic production.

Meaning: 'There' refers to the existence of an accompanying cost, emphasizing the environmental impact of plastic production.

Wrong options:

• when: 'When' indicates a time reference, which does not fit the context of discussing the existence of a cost.
• which: 'Which' is a relative pronoun that does not appropriately introduce the existence of a cost in this context.
• what: 'What' is an interrogative pronoun that does not fit the grammatical structure needed to indicate existence.

Correct answer: portion

Explanation: The word 'portion' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to a part of the total amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or oceans, aligning with the discussion of recycling effectiveness.

Meaning: 'Portion' means a part or segment of a whole, indicating that a significant part of plastic is not being recycled effectively.

Wrong options:

• sample: 'Sample' refers to a small part used for analysis, which does not fit the context of discussing the amount of plastic waste.
• majority: 'Majority' implies more than half, which may not accurately reflect the context of the sentence regarding recycling effectiveness.
• production: 'Production' refers to the process of creating something, which does not fit the context of discussing the amount of plastic waste.