Natural Resources Review

How did early civilizations benefit from river valleys?

• They developed military technologies.

• They became skilled at farming.

• They built factories.

• They focused on mining metals.

Answer explanation

Early civilizations benefited from river valleys primarily by becoming skilled at farming. The fertile land and access to water allowed them to grow crops, which supported population growth and the development of societies.

How do resources improve living standards?

• By reducing transportation needs

• By providing energy for heating and cooling

• By limiting access to clean water

• By decreasing goods availability

Answer explanation

Resources improve living standards by providing energy for heating and cooling, which enhances comfort and health. This access to energy is crucial for maintaining a suitable living environment.

What was a consequence of steam engines during the Industrial Revolution?

• Decreased economic growth

• Reduction in air pollution

• Shift in power balance between countries

• Decline in technological innovation

Answer explanation

The steam engine revolutionized transportation and manufacturing, enabling countries to enhance their industrial capabilities. This led to a shift in power balance, as nations with advanced steam technology gained economic and military advantages.

What is an economic risk of using up a resource?

• More jobs

• Economic growth

• Hardship in dependent areas

• Lower resource prices

Answer explanation

Using up a resource can lead to hardship in dependent areas, as communities relying on that resource for jobs and economic stability may face significant challenges when it becomes scarce or depleted.

What causes fish populations to collapse?

• Overfishing

• Oil drilling

• Deforestation

• Mining

Answer explanation

Overfishing is the primary cause of fish population collapse, as it removes fish faster than they can reproduce, leading to a significant decline in their numbers. Other factors like oil drilling, deforestation, and mining do not directly cause such collapses.

What harm can burning coal in power plants cause?

• Improved air quality

• Reduced greenhouse gases

• Air pollution and respiratory illnesses

• Increased biodiversity

Answer explanation

Burning coal in power plants releases harmful pollutants, leading to air pollution and respiratory illnesses. This choice highlights the negative health impacts associated with coal combustion, unlike the other options.

What is a possible result of climate change?

• Lower sea levels

• More frequent extreme weather

• Higher biodiversity

• Stable temperatures

Answer explanation

Climate change leads to more frequent extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, due to increased atmospheric instability and temperature changes. This makes 'more frequent extreme weather' the correct choice.

What can result from more frequent extreme weather events?

• Decreased sea levels

• Improved crop yields

• Rising sea levels

• Increased snowfall

Answer explanation

More frequent extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heavy rainfall, can lead to melting ice caps and glaciers, contributing to rising sea levels. Thus, the correct answer is rising sea levels.

What causes political tensions between nations?

• Water conflicts

• Oil conflicts

• Land conflicts

• All of these

Answer explanation

Political tensions arise from competition over resources like water, oil, and land. Each of these conflicts can lead to disputes and hostility between nations, making 'All of these' the correct answer.

What is an impact of a landslide?

• Global climate change.

• Localized damage and disruption.

• Worldwide economic collapse.

• Universal peace and stability.

Answer explanation

Landslides primarily cause localized damage and disruption, affecting the immediate area through destruction of property, infrastructure, and natural landscapes, rather than having global or universal impacts.