Question

because of its growing population, industry, and irrigation-based agriculture, texas faces serious shortages of

gas
water
oil
workers

Explanation:

Analyze the resource demands in Texas

The prompt highlights three main drivers of resource consumption: a growing population, expanding industry, and irrigation-based agriculture.

Evaluate the options against these demands

• Gas and oil: Texas is a leading producer of oil and natural gas, making a serious shortage of these resources highly unlikely in this context.
• Workers: While labor markets fluctuate, the specific combination of "irrigation-based agriculture" and "growing population" points directly to a natural resource constraint.
• Water: Irrigation-based agriculture is highly water-intensive, and a growing population and industrial sector place immense strain on limited freshwater supplies, leading to severe projected water shortages in Texas.

Answer:

• gas
• water (Correct answer)
• oil
• workers