An unconsolidated gravel with well-connected pores is a good aquifer due to its porosity and permeability, capable of holding abundant, accessible water.
The student's question relates to the characteristics of materials that make up aquifers, which are geological formations that can store and transmit groundwater. An unconsolidated gravel with abundant pores that are well connected to each other would constitute a good aquifer due to its high porosity and permeability. It could hold abundant, accessible water, making it an efficient natural reservoir for groundwater that can be tapped into for various uses like drinking water or irrigation.
In contrast, materials that impede the flow of water, such as clay or unfractured rock, are called aquitards and make for poor aquifers. They have low permeability and cannot yield significant amounts of water easily. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is: b) Aquifer / abundant
Understanding the characteristics of geologic materials is essential in identifying and managing sustainable water resources, specifically in the selection and use of aquifers.