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In May 2026, the British government released a critical environmental watchlist identifying over one hundred illegal waste dumps across England. Among these, nearly thirty locations have been designated as ‘super sites’ because each contains more than twenty thousand tonnes of rubbish. The most alarming of these is situated in Northwich, Cheshire. This site holds a staggering 281,000 tonnes of contaminated soil—earth polluted by hazardous substances that pose a severe threat to local wildlife and ecosystems.

The Environment Agency, the official public body responsible for environmental protection, published this comprehensive list to demonstrate transparency and highlight where intervention is currently occurring. Nevertheless, managing and clearing these illegal dumps presents an immense challenge. While the agency is actively funding clean-up operations at high-risk sites in Kent and Oxfordshire using taxpayers’ money, it generally lacks the budget to clear the majority of these illegal dumps. Consequently, many sites remain untouched, generating considerable anxiety and anger among local communities.

This ongoing neglect has sparked intense frustration among local residents and business owners. For instance, a business owner in Sheffield, whose premises are adjacent to a massive illegal dump, expressed deep concern over the lack of progress. He argued that the authorities must adopt a more aggressive approach towards environmental criminals. He proposed that if public funds are required to clear the waste, the government should confiscate the offenders’ land and sell it to reclaim the costs.

The debris deposited at these unauthorized sites ranges from ordinary household rubbish and construction waste to highly hazardous materials, such as asbestos. To combat this growing threat, the Environment Agency has appealed to the public to provide any relevant information about illegal dumping. The agency plans to update the watchlist monthly, aiming to track down and permanently close these hazardous operations. Ultimately, protecting the countryside remains a vital objective, but it requires both public cooperation and tougher measures against those who violate environmental laws.

1. What is the main purpose of the article?

• A.To explain how contaminated soil can be cleaned up.
• B.To report on the scale of illegal waste dumps in England and the challenges of tackling them.
• C.To criticize the Environment Agency for failing to update its records.
• D.To persuade citizens to stop producing household waste.

2. Why is the waste site in Northwich, Cheshire particularly notable?

• A.It is the only site currently being cleared using public money.
• B.It is the only place containing construction waste and asbestos.
• C.It contains the largest amount of polluted soil among the listed sites.
• D.It is located right next to a business in Sheffield.

3. What can be inferred about the Environment Agency’s ability to clear illegal dumps?

• A.They rely heavily on public donations to clean up the sites.
• B.They lack the financial resources to clean every site on the watchlist.
• C.They prioritize clearing household waste over toxic chemical waste.
• D.They have successfully cleared almost all ‘super sites’ in England.

4. How does the Sheffield business owner feel about the government’s current response to waste criminals?

• A.Sympathetic to the lack of government funding.
• B.Satisfied with the monthly updates to the watchlist.
• C.Optimistic that the criminals’ land will be sold soon.
• D.Dissatisfied and in favor of stricter financial penalties.

5. What is the closest meaning of the word ‘adjacent’ in the third paragraph?

• A.opposite
• B.next to
• C.far from
• D.safe from