Question

How have these shifts affected the physical environment?

Over the course of the 20th century, the composition of the labor force shifted from industries dominated by primary production occupations, such as farmers and foresters, to those dominated by professional, technical and service workers.
--Donald Fisk, "American Labor in the 20th Century," Fall 2001
A. Water shortages occurred as more people moved to rural areas
B. Air pollution levels increased as the government decresed regulation
C. Cropland eroded as farmers used outdated agricultural techniques.
D. Cities grew in size as previously used farmland was absorbed into urban areas.

Answer 1

D. Cities grew in size as previously used farmland was absorbed into urban areas. The shift described in the excerpt led to the growth of urban areas as more people moved from rural areas to work in professional, technical, and service occupations. This resulted in the conversion of farmland and rural areas into urbanized regions, which had significant impacts on the physical environment, such as the loss of agricultural land, increased urban sprawl, and associated issues with traffic congestion, air pollution, and other environmental concerns.