Consider the following statements:

Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

The plastic gum base is exactly why gum doesn’t break down, so II explains I.

Statement by statement

1. ✓ CORRECT Spat-out gum sticks to pavements for years, costs cities a lot to scrape off, and can be swallowed by animals and birds.

2. ✓ CORRECT — and it explains Statement I Modern gum base uses synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl acetate (also used in glue) and polyisobutylene (also used in tyre inner tubes). These replaced chicle, the natural tree latex used earlier. Being plastic, the gum does not biodegrade.

The idea

A chewing gum must be chewed for a long time without dissolving or breaking. Many synthetic gum bases resist breakdown on the pavement because of their plastic chemistry. That material is a synthetic rubber-like plastic.

Synthetic gum base → Doesn’t biodegrade → Stuck for years = pollution

Why the others are wrong

(b) II is the direct reason for I, not an unrelated true fact.

(c) Statement II is true: most gum bases are synthetic polymers.

(d) Statement I is true: gum litter is a recognised pollution problem.

The trap

Gum “feels” like food, so Statement II sounds absurd. It is true.

Also know

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. Primary microplastics are made small, such as microbeads; secondary ones form when larger plastics break apart. Biodegradable means microbes can break a material down under suitable conditions. Compostable materials must meet specified composting conditions, so a compostable label does not mean litter will quickly disappear in the sea.