What is the best way to lessen the use of natural resources?

• A. Recycling more
• B. Driving smaller cars with more efficient engines
• C. Planting trees
• D. Expanding mining operations

Answer: (B)

The idea here is about reducing how quickly we draw on natural resources by changing everyday practices to use less energy and material. Driving smaller cars with more efficient engines cuts the amount of fuel needed per mile. Since fuel (a natural resource) is consumed to power vehicles, using less of it means less oil is extracted, processed, and burned overall. This kind of efficiency can have a broad impact because it affects a large number of trips and drivers, making resource use drop more than focusing on a single action.

Recycling more is important because it saves materials, but its impact depends on systems and recovery rates and may not reduce resource use as quickly or as broadly. Planting trees helps the environment and can offset some emissions, but it doesn’t directly cut the rate at which natural resources are consumed. Expanding mining operations clearly increases the use of natural resources.