Question

6 sc common unit assessment items
unit 1b: conservation of natural resources

1. use the information and table to answer the following question.

the table shows claims made by students comparing the characteristics of renewable and nonrenewable resources.

claim	renewable	nonrenewable
2	unavailable	available
3	used up faster than it is supplied	naturally replaced at a reasonable rate
4	naturally replaced at a reasonable rate	used up faster than it is supplied

which claim best compares the characteristics of renewable and nonrenewable resources?

Explanation:

To determine the best claim comparing renewable and nonrenewable resources, we analyze each claim:

• Claim 1: Renewable is "available", Nonrenewable is "unavailable" – Incorrect, as both types can be available (e.g., coal is a nonrenewable resource that is available for use).
• Claim 2: Renewable is "unavailable", Nonrenewable is "available" – Incorrect, as renewable resources like solar energy are available.
• Claim 3: Renewable is "used up faster than it is supplied", Nonrenewable is "naturally replaced at a reasonable rate" – Incorrect. Nonrenewable resources (e.g., fossil fuels) are not naturally replaced at a reasonable rate; they form over millions of years. Renewable resources are typically replenished faster than they are used (if managed properly), while nonrenewable resources are used faster than they are supplied (formed).
• Claim 4: Renewable is "naturally replaced at a reasonable rate", Nonrenewable is "used up faster than it is supplied" – Correct. Renewable resources (e.g., wind, solar, trees) are replenished by natural processes at a rate that can sustain their use. Nonrenewable resources (e.g., oil, coal) are finite and are consumed faster than natural processes can create new supplies (they take millions of years to form).

Answer:

1. Renewable: naturally replaced at a reasonable rate; Nonrenewable: used up faster than it is supplied