Question

pretest: unit 5

population, in billions

10,000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2000
bce ce
(points labeled: 1804, 1960, 2010, 2050)

based on the graph, which two statements about human use of natural resources are most likely true?

a. resource use by humans is about the same now as it was 150 years ago.

b. resource use by humans is much higher now than it was 200 years ago.

c. resource use by humans is steadily decreasing over time.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: The graph shows population (a key factor in resource use) has increased drastically since 1804 (about 220 years ago). So resource use now (with higher population) can't be same as 150 years ago. Eliminate A.
2. Analyze Option B: 200 years ago is around 1824, close to 1804. The population (and thus resource use, as population growth drives resource demand) has skyrocketed since then (e.g., from ~1 billion in 1804 to ~7 - 8 billion projected by 2050, and already much higher than 1804 in 2010/1960). So resource use now is much higher than 200 years ago. B is valid.
3. Analyze Option C: The population graph is increasing exponentially, so resource use (tied to population and economic growth) should be increasing, not decreasing. Eliminate C. (Note: Assuming there are more options not shown, but from given, B is correct, and likely another correct one would relate to increasing resource use with population growth, but from the three, B is valid. If we assume a missing option or re - check, but with given, B is correct, and if there was another like "Resource use increases with population growth" but from the three, B is the valid one among them, and likely the other correct would be related to the trend, but with the three, B is correct.)

Answer:

B. Resource use by humans is much higher now than it was 200 years ago. (Note: Since the question asks for two statements, but only three are shown, and assuming there is a missing option, but from the given three, B is correct, and likely another correct one would be based on the population - resource use relationship, e.g., if there was an option like "As human population increases, resource use tends to increase", but with the provided options, B is one correct answer, and we assume the other correct is not shown here, but for the given, B is valid.)