Adapt vs. Modify

Wearing warm coats and boots in snowy weather. People adjust their clothing to fit the environment.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Adapt' because it refers to adjusting clothing to fit the snowy environment, which is a direct response to changing conditions. 'Modify' implies a change but lacks the context of environmental adjustment.

Building a dam to control flooding and generate electricity. Humans change the river and land to meet their needs.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Modify' because building a dam involves changing the river and land to control flooding and generate electricity, which is a clear modification of the natural environment.

Using irrigation to bring water to dry farmland. People dig canals or pipes to redirect water.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

Using irrigation to bring water to dry farmland involves altering the environment, which is best described as 'modify.' This process changes the land's water supply, making 'modify' the correct choice over 'adapt.'

Constructing earthquake-proof buildings in Japan. Humans design buildings to survive natural conditions.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

In Japan, buildings are designed to adapt to seismic activity, ensuring they can withstand earthquakes. This approach emphasizes adapting structures to natural conditions rather than merely modifying existing designs.

Planting crops that grow well in your climate. Farmers choose crops suited to local conditions.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

Farmers 'adapt' by selecting crops that thrive in their specific climate, ensuring better growth and yield. This choice reflects their ability to adjust practices to local conditions.

Cutting down a forest to build houses. The natural environment is changed for human use.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

Cutting down a forest to build houses is an example of modifying the natural environment for human use. 'Modify' accurately describes the alteration of the landscape, while 'adapt' implies a change in behavior rather than the environment.

Living in a house on stilts in a flood-prone area. People adjust their housing to environmental risks.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Adapt' because living in a house on stilts is a way to adjust to environmental risks like flooding, demonstrating how people modify their living conditions to better suit their surroundings.

Digging a tunnel through a mountain to make a road. Humans reshape the land to meet transportation needs.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Modify' because digging a tunnel through a mountain involves altering the landscape to create a road, which is a clear example of modifying the environment to meet human transportation needs.

Wearing sunscreen and hats in hot, sunny areas. People adjust their behavior and clothing for the climate.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Adapt' because wearing sunscreen and hats shows how people change their behavior and clothing to fit the hot, sunny climate, demonstrating adaptation to environmental conditions.

Building wind turbines to capture energy from the wind. Humans build machines to change how the environment is used.

• Adapt

• Modify

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Modify' because building wind turbines changes the environment's use by harnessing wind energy, which is a modification of natural resources for human benefit.