Natural Resources and Human Impact — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Solar panels burn fuel to make electricity from the sun.
Corrected: Solar panels use sunlight to make electricity without burning fuel.
Solar panels are a renewable resource because sunlight is unlimited.
2. Fix the sentence:
Oil refineries produces a renewable fuel that never runs out.
Corrected: Oil refineries produce a nonrenewable fuel that can run out.
Nonrenewable resources are used faster than nature can replace them.
3. Fix the sentence:
Windmills needs strong wind to spin the blades and make power.
Corrected: Windmills need strong wind to spin the blades and make power.
Wind is a renewable resource that powers turbines cleanly.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Hydroelectric dams use moving river water to spin turbines and make electricity.
Dams turn the energy of falling water into clean power.
2. Solar panels are flat panels that turn sunlight directly into usable energy.
Photovoltaic cells convert light into electric current.
3. Oil is a nonrenewable resource because it took millions of years to form.
We cannot replace oil quickly once we use it up.
4. A windmill is a tall tower with spinning blades that catches wind energy.
Wind turbines convert kinetic energy into electricity.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why are solar panels considered a renewable resource?
Sample answer: Solar panels are renewable because sunlight is endless and reaches Earth every day, so we never run out of fuel for them.
Renewable resources naturally refill within a human lifetime.
2. How is an oil refinery different from a windmill?
Sample answer: An oil refinery uses nonrenewable fuel that pollutes, while a windmill uses renewable wind that is clean and free.
Nonrenewable sources release pollution; renewable ones do not.