Plastic is defined as which of the following?

• A. A leak resistant zippered bag designed to contain a dead human body and body fluids.
• B. A woven cloth with a nap exceeding 1/8 inch.
• C. A synthetic or natural organic material shaped when soft and then hardened.
• D. Thin sheets of wood glued together so that the grains are at right angles.

Answer: (C)

Plastic is a synthetic or natural organic material that can be shaped when soft and then hardened. This property—being moldable while warm or soft and becoming rigid once set—lets plastics be made into a wide range of funeral-service items, such as liners, bags, and outer containers, that are lightweight, durable, and cost-effective. The other descriptions describe a container, fabric, or wood-based material, none of which define plastic itself. So the best definition is a material that can be formed when soft and then hardened.