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Prereading Quiz: Leading the Charge
Before you read “Leading the Charge,” take this five-question quiz to find out how much you already know.
Which word refers to an area where garbage and other waste materials are buried under layers of soil?
assembly line
landfill
manufacturer
A landfill is an area where garbage and other waste materials are buried under layers of soil. Batteries in landfills can leak dangerous chemicals or catch on fire.
True or false: The process of making batteries starts with mining minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.
True
False
Batteries need minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite to create electric power through chemical reactions.
Which is an effect of mining for minerals like lithium?
The minerals are found deep underground in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chile.
The digging and drilling releases toxic materials that pollute the air, water, and soil.
Mining helps plants and animals in the area and improves the food supply of local residents.
Digging and drilling for minerals releases toxic materials that pollute the air, water, and soil. This can harm plants and animals as well as the local food supply.
From 2013 to 2020, at least how many fires at U.S. waste facilities were caused by batteries with lithium in them?
245
550
350,000
From 2013 to 2020, at least 245 fires at U.S. waste facilities were caused by batteries with lithium in them. One of those fires inspired New Jersey teenager Sri Nihal Tammana to start Recycle My Battery in 2019. The nonprofit group has about 550 volunteers and has recycled more than 350,000 batteries.
What is the best thing people can do with used batteries?
throw them in the trash
put them in a household recycling bin
find out how to recycle them in your area
The best thing people can do with used batteries is to find out how to recycle them in your area. You can check your town or city website for information about battery recycling or see if a local hazardous-waste facility, electronics store, or fire department accepts them. You can also visit recyclemybattery.org to request a battery recycling bin for your community.