American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test

The correct answer is rooted in the definition of resources and their classifications within the context of economics and environmental science. Water, soil, and timber are all essential elements derived directly from nature and are critical for various functions in agriculture, industry, and ecosystem sustainability.

Land and natural resources encompass not only physical land but also the natural materials and elements that it provides, which are fundamental for production processes. Water is vital for irrigation and drinking; soil is necessary for growing crops and supporting vegetation; timber is used for construction, furniture-making, and other industrial applications. Together, these resources form the foundation upon which human activity and economic systems rely.

The other categories do not fit this description: capital and capital goods refer to manufactured assets used in the production of goods and services; labor resources encompass the workforce and human effort; information resources pertain to data and knowledge that aid decision-making and operational processes. None of these categories includes the natural elements found in the correct answer.