Question 42 (2 points) A rural farmer most likely obtains drinking water by drilling a deep well to use gravitational water that is retained by the soil and accumulated just above the water table gravitational water that has percolated through soil and accumulated as groundwater capillary water that has percolated through soil and accumulated below the groundwater capillary water found in surface waters, located above the water table Question 43 (2 points) The greatest threats to ground water supplies are groundwater pollution and depletion increased evaporation and increased precipitation evapotranspiration and runoff global warming and the construction of dams Question 44 (2 points) Which of the following best represents a loss of biological wealth? a naturally occurring fire in a forest. people fishing for catfish in a lake. mining coal from deep underground mines the extinction of several beetle species

Let's analyze each question step by step: ### Question 42 **Question:** A rural farmer most likely obtains drinking water by: 1. Gravitational water that is retained by the soil and accumulated just above the water table. 2. Gravitational water that has percolated through soil and accumulated as groundwater. 3. Capillary water that has percolated through soil and accumulated below the groundwater. 4. Capillary water found in surface waters, located above the water table. **Analysis:** - **Gravitational water** refers to water that moves through soil due to gravity and can accumulate as groundwater. - **Capillary water** is held in the soil's micropores and is available for plants, but it is not typically what is accessed by drilling a well. **Conclusion:** The most likely source for a rural farmer obtaining drinking water is **gravitational water that has percolated through soil and accumulated as groundwater** (Option 2). ### Question 43 **Question:** The greatest threats to groundwater supplies are: 1. Groundwater pollution and depletion. 2. Increased evaporation and increased precipitation. 3. Evapotranspiration and runoff. 4. Global warming and the construction of dams. **Analysis:** - **Groundwater pollution** refers to contaminants entering the groundwater supply, which can make it unsafe for drinking and other uses. - **Depletion** refers to the over-extraction of groundwater, leading to a reduction in supply. **Conclusion:** The greatest threats to groundwater supplies are **groundwater pollution and depletion** (Option 1). ### Question 44 **Question:** Which of the following best represents a loss of biological wealth? 1. A naturally occurring fire in a forest. 2. People fishing for catfish in a lake. 3. Mining coal from deep underground mines. 4. The extinction of several beetle species. **Analysis:** - **Biological wealth** refers to the variety of life forms and ecosystems present in an area. - The extinction of species directly reduces biodiversity and represents a significant loss of biological wealth. **Conclusion:** The best representation of a loss of biological wealth is **the extinction of several beetle species** (Option 4). ### Summary of Answers: - **Question 42:** Option 2 - **Question 43:** Option 1 - **Question 44:** Option 4