Final answer:
The environment near major cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was characterized by pollution and smog due to rapid industrialization and poor urban planning, leading to significant health and sanitation problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the environment near major cities was far from what we would consider idyllic in terms of natural beauty or cleanliness. Based on the historical context, the most accurate description of the environment near major cities during this time would be c) Polluted and smog-covered. The industrial revolution led to rampant urbanization with factories burning coal and emitting smoke, contributing to dense smog and polluted air.
Poor sanitation was prevalent as cities struggled with urban planning. Open sewers in the streets and inadequate waste disposal resulted in widespread diseases like cholera and tuberculosis. Pollution threatened water, air, and consequently, the health of the inhabitants. Meanwhile, the middle and upper classes could often escape these conditions by moving to the suburbs.
The environmental consequences of such rapid industrial growth were dire. Lack of regulation allowed mining and industrial waste to be dumped into rivers, leading to events like the Cuyahoga River catching fire. While the City Beautiful movement aimed to address some environmental issues and improve living conditions, the predominance of polluted and smog-covered environments near urban areas cannot be understated.