Free Printable WorksheetScienceGrade 9Science CurriculumNGSS HS-ESS3-1

9.131 Natural Resources and Human Settlement Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Physical Science with Earth and Science Science worksheet provides structured practice on 9.131 Natural Resources and Human Settlement. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Natural Resources and Human Settlement: MCQ focus: connect availability of freshwater, fertile soil, minerals, energy, and hazards to human settlement and activity patterns. Aligned to NGSS high school Physical Science with Earth and Space Science; NRC/DCI ESS3.A-B; SEP/CCC cause and effect and systems; CCSS RST.9-10.7; and selected CA, NYSSLS, Florida CPALMS, and Texas TEKS references for NGSS HS-ESS3-1 - NGSS-aligned Natural Resources and Human Settlement.

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Physical Science with Earth and Science

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 9.131 Natural Resources and Human Settlement skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

Which statement best summarizes why human settlements often occur near rivers, coasts, fertile valleys, mineral deposits, or energy resources even when hazards are present?

ANatural resources have little effect on where people live or work.

BHazards always create resources that make planning unnecessary.

CPeople weigh resource access, economic activity, transportation, and hazard management rather than choosing only hazard-free places.

DPeople settle only in places with no natural hazards at all.

Solution & Explanation:Settlement patterns reflect tradeoffs among resources, opportunities, infrastructure, and risk. This is the core idea behind connecting natural resources and hazards to human activity.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Use the resilience planning map titled Essential Services Site. A county wants to place an emergency clinic near the largest town and a freshwater source but outside flood, wildfire, and landslide hazard zones. Which site should it choose?

ASite 2, near the town and reservoir but outside all three hazard zones

BSite 4, below the landslide scar at the canyon mouth

CSite 3, inside the wildfire zone along the forest edge

DSite 1, in the floodplain beside the river

Solution & Explanation:Site 2 is close to population and water while avoiding mapped hazards. Essential services should be accessible but not placed in the highest-risk zones.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

A city in a dry coastal plain uses a desalination plant, imported food, and engineered flood barriers. Which statement best describes the relationship between natural constraints and human systems?

ADesalination eliminates the need for energy or infrastructure.

BTechnology makes all natural resources and hazards irrelevant.

CTechnology can reduce some natural limits, but settlement still depends on energy, costs, maintenance, and hazard planning.

DFlood barriers prove coastal flooding can never occur.

Solution & Explanation:Human systems can modify resource access and hazard exposure, but they create new dependencies. Planning still needs evidence about resources, hazards, and infrastructure.

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Physical Science with Earth and Science Science students. It aligns with educational standard NGSS HS-ESS3-1 (NGSS: HS-ESS3-1; NRC/DCI: ESS3.A-B; SEP/CCC: Cause and effect / Systems; Common: RST.9-10.7; State refs: CA/NYSSLS same HS-ESS3/ETS PE family; FL SC.912.E.6.6, SC.912.E.7.8-7.9; TX Earth/Environmental Systems.).