Question

Pollution and Human Health
Pollution in the air can be harmful to human health. Pollutants can be breathed into the human body and result in loss of function and death of human cells. Air pollution can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, blood, lungs, heart, and brain. Some sources of air pollution that are breathed in are from natural sources (non-human related) and some result from human activities. The list below provides some air pollution sources related to human activities.

Some human activities and sources of air pollution include fuel combustion, chemical factories, motor vehicles, power and heat generators, and waste disposal sites.

Multiple Choice Question
Two students want to compare methods that they think will reduce pollutants being released into the air. The chart below describes two different solutions proposed by the students to help achieve this goal.

The table titled 'Proposed Methods to Reduce Air Pollution' shows student X's method is using motor vehicles only to travel distances over two miles away and student Y's method is reduction in buying of products that are produced in factories.

Which student proposed a method that is MOST LIKELY to result in the greatest reduction of air pollution AND identifies a second part that could be added to improve the method selected?

A.
Student’s Method Selected: X. Added Part: Only using motor vehicles that require fuel combustion.

B.
Student’s Method Selected: X. Added Part: Using motor vehicles that do not require fuel combustion.

C.
Student’s Method Selected: Y. Added Part: Increasing purchase of products from far distances that are transported using fuel-powered vehicles.

D.
Student’s Method Selected: Y. Added Part: Increasing purchase of products that are produced using power generators.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The most effective method for reducing air pollution is likely to come from addressing the source of pollutants more directly.

- Student X's method of using motor vehicles only for distances over two miles does not inherently reduce pollution if those vehicles still rely on fuel combustion, as they would continue to emit pollutants.

- Student Y proposes a reduction in buying products produced in factories, which targets a significant source of air pollution generated by industrial processes.

Considering this, the best choice is:

**C. Student’s Method Selected: Y. Added Part: Increasing purchase of products from far distances that are transported using fuel-powered vehicles.**

However, for the second part to improve the method, a more suitable addition would involve encouraging the purchase of products made sustainably or produced locally to reduce pollution associated with transportation instead of increasing that pollution. Therefore, option C is a valid choice regarding the method but would need a better improvement strategy.

The only option that correctly identifies the student with a more impactful pollution reduction is C.