Living Environment Regents Practice Test

Why are fossil fuels considered a finite resource?

1. They are quickly replenished

2. They cannot be renewed

3. They are sustainable

4. They are recyclable

The correct answer is: They cannot be renewed

Fossil fuels are classified as a finite resource because they are formed over millions of years through natural processes involving the remains of ancient plants and animals. This formation occurs under specific geological conditions that can't be replicated quickly or easily. Unlike renewable resources, such as solar or wind energy, which can be replenished relatively rapidly, fossil fuels require extensive geological timeframes for formation, making their replenishment virtually impossible on a human timescale. Consequently, once we extract and consume these resources, they cannot be replaced within a timeframe that is meaningful to current and future generations. The other options refer to characteristics that do not accurately describe fossil fuels. They are not quickly replenished, cannot be renewed in a practical sense, are not sustainable in long-term energy planning, and while some materials can be recycled, fossil fuels themselves are not recyclable in the traditional sense, which further underscores their finite nature.