It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed forces. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demon-strate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. 'Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments.

Which of the following natural resources is least likely to be affected by acid rain? Since the 1950s, the increase of acid rain has become a problem in the north-eastern United States, Canada, and Western Europe. Although acid rain does not directly harm people, high levels of the fine particles in acid rain are linked to increased risk for asthma and bronchitis. It erodes buildings, paint, and monuments. Acid rain damages trees and causes the acidification of lakes and streams, contaminating drinking water and damaging aquatic life. Eventually, they return to the ground in the form of rain, snow, fog, or other precipitation. Pollutants mix in the atmosphere to form fine particles that can be carried long distances by wind.

Scientists believe car exhaust and smoke from factories and power plants are the main causes of acid rain, but natural sources like gases from forest fires and volcanoes may also contribute to the problem. Even though acid rain looks, feels, and even tastes like clean rainwater, it contains high levels of pollutants.

Ged social studies practice test