Natural Resources and Human Impact — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What is a trade-off of switching to solar power right now?
A) Solar panels cost a lot to install at first
B) Sunlight will run out by next year
C) Solar panels burn coal to work
D) Solar power makes more smog than gas
Solar has high startup costs but very low ongoing costs and pollution.
2. Why do some communities still rely on fossil fuels even though they pollute?
A) Fossil fuels glow in the dark naturally
B) They are widely available and the equipment already exists
C) Fossil fuels never produce any waste
D) They are the only renewable resource
Switching infrastructure takes time, money, and planning.
3. What does it mean to balance development with conservation?
A) Build everything as fast as possible
B) Stop all building forever
C) Grow communities while protecting ecosystems
D) Use only nonrenewable fuels for cities
Sustainable planning serves people and nature together.
4. Which choice supports both jobs and the environment best?
A) Building wind farms that hire local workers
B) Dumping waste into nearby lakes
C) Cutting every tree in a forest at once
D) Burning extra coal for fun
Clean energy projects create jobs and reduce pollution.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Choosing what to give up to gain something else is called a trade-off.
Energy decisions always involve weighing trade-offs carefully.
2. Saving forests, rivers, and wildlife for the future is called conservation.
Conservation keeps ecosystems healthy as we develop land.
3. Living in a way that lasts without harming the planet is being sustainable.
Sustainability balances today's needs with tomorrow's resources.
4. The total pollution caused by your daily actions is your carbon footprint.
Lower footprints come from smarter energy and travel choices.
5. Energy from the sun, wind, and water is called renewable energy.
Renewables are key to a cleaner energy future.