Question

Choose the correct pair of exhaustible natural resources from the following options.

• A. coal and soil
• B. air and sun-light
• C. water and petroleum
• D. wildlife and minerals

Answer 1

The correct option is D

wildlife and minerals

Step 1: Explanation of the correct option

In the case of option D,

1. Natural resources that are present in limited quantity and can be depleted by human activity are referred to as exhaustible natural resources.
2. Such resources cannot be easily replenished once depleted.
3. Wildlife and minerals are examples of exhaustible natural resources because they are found in limited quantities in nature and can be depleted as a result of continuous use by humans.

Step 2: Explanation for the incorrect options

In the case of option A,

1. Coal is an exhaustible natural resource because coal is a fossil fuel and its stock is limited.
2. Soil is an inexhaustible natural resource because soil can be renewed in a period of time and it is present in abundant quantity in nature.

In the case of option B,

1. Inexhaustible natural resources are those that exist in unlimited quantities in nature and are unlikely to be depleted by human activity.
2. Air and sunlight are inexhaustible natural resources because human activities cannot deplete them.

In the case of option C,

1. Water is an inexhaustible natural resource since it keeps on replenishing with the help of water cycle and it can not be exhausted by human activities.
2. Petroleum is an exhaustible natural resource because its reserve is very limited in quantity and it takes a lot of time to replenish again.

Hence, option D is the correct answer.