Question

W GEO A DT1: Environment Usage
Critique each of the following statements and choose the most accurate.
Responses

The trend toward urbanization has brought many benefits to people and societies and no environmental consequences.
The trend toward urbanization has brought many benefits to people and societies and no environmental consequences. - no response given

The trend toward urbanization has brought many benefits to people and societies, but many consequences too.
The trend toward urbanization has brought many benefits to people and societies, but many consequences too. - no response given

The trend toward urbanization has lessened light and water pollution.
The trend toward urbanization has lessened light and water pollution. - no response given

The trend toward urbanization has increased wildlife habitat and decreased water pollution.
W GEO A DT1: Environment Usage

2 of 42 of 4 Items
Question
Which impact on the physical environment does acid rain cause?
Responses

smog
smog - no response given

conversion of land to agriculture
conversion of land to agriculture - no response given

increased tree death
increased tree death - no response given

depletion of groundwater
depletion of groundwater

W GEO A DT1: Environment Usage
Which of the effects of irrigation on the world’s environment is a criticism of using reservoirs?
Responses

Crops can be contaminated and harm the people who consume them.
Crops can be contaminated and harm the people who consume them. - no response given

Waste byproducts can contaminate land when not safely disposed of.
Waste byproducts can contaminate land when not safely disposed of. - no response given

Groundwater can be contaminated by plastic.
Groundwater can be contaminated by plastic. - no response given

Flooding can potentially occur and harm wildlife and land.
W GEO A DT1: Environment Usage
Which of the following is an effect of desalination on the environment?
Responses

Brine can kill ocean wildlife.
Brine can kill ocean wildlife. - no response given

Crops can be contaminated.
Crops can be contaminated. - no response given

Flooding can occur.
Flooding can occur. - no response given

Groundwater can be overdrawn.

Answer 1

1. **The trend toward urbanization has brought many benefits to people and societies and no environmental consequences.**
- **Critique**: This statement is overly simplistic and inaccurate. Urbanization often results in various environmental consequences, such as increased pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion, despite the benefits it brings in economic growth, accessibility to services, and cultural exchange.

2. **The trend toward urbanization has brought many benefits to people and societies, but many consequences too.**
- **Critique**: This statement is the most accurate among the options provided. It acknowledges the benefits of urbanization (like economic development, improved infrastructure, and social opportunities) while also recognizing the environmental challenges and consequences that accompany it, such as pollution, loss of green spaces, and strain on resources.

3. **The trend toward urbanization has lessened light and water pollution.**
- **Critique**: This statement is misleading. Urbanization typically increases light pollution and water pollution as cities expand, more vehicles are introduced, and industrial activities ramp up, contrary to the claim made.

4. **The trend toward urbanization has increased wildlife habitat and decreased water pollution.**
- **Critique**: This statement is also inaccurate. Urbanization generally leads to habitat loss for wildlife and typically contributes to increased water pollution through runoff and waste.

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**Impact of Acid Rain on the Physical Environment:**

1. **Smog**
- **Critique**: While smog can be related to air pollution, it is not a direct impact of acid rain.

2. **Conversion of land to agriculture**
- **Critique**: Acid rain does not directly convert land to agriculture; this is more related to land use decisions rather than the effects of acid rain.

3. **Increased tree death**
- **Critique**: This statement is accurate as acid rain can cause harm to trees and forests by leaching nutrients from the soil and directly damaging the foliage.

4. **Depletion of groundwater**
- **Critique**: While acid rain can contribute to environmental issues, it does not directly lead to groundwater depletion.

The most accurate answer is **“increased tree death.”**

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**Effect of Irrigation Criticism Regarding Reservoirs:**

1. **Crops can be contaminated and harm the people who consume them.**
- **Critique**: This addresses contamination, but not specifically as a criticism against reservoirs.

2. **Waste byproducts can contaminate land when not safely disposed of.**
- **Critique**: This is a valid concern but does not specifically relate to reservoirs.

3. **Groundwater can be contaminated by plastic.**
- **Critique**: This statement highlights a valid concern, but it does not directly criticize reservoirs in relation to irrigation.

4. **Flooding can potentially occur and harm wildlife and land.**
- **Critique**: This is the most valid criticism concerning reservoirs and their impact on the environment, as they can lead to flooding and disrupt ecosystems.

The best answer here is **“Flooding can potentially occur and harm wildlife and land.”**

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**Effect of Desalination on the Environment:**

1. **Brine can kill ocean wildlife.**
- **Critique**: This is an accurate statement about the environmental impact of desalination processes since the discharge of brine back into the ocean can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems.

2. **Crops can be contaminated.**
- **Critique**: This is not a typical problem associated with desalination.

3. **Flooding can occur.**
- **Critique**: Flooding is not a direct effect of desalination; it is more relevant to other environmental concerns.

4. **Groundwater can be overdrawn.**
- **Critique**: This relates more to groundwater extraction practices than desalination.

The most accurate statement regarding the effect of desalination on the environment is **“Brine can kill ocean wildlife.”**