Challenges of Urban Changes Practice Test

Secondary source excerpt (infrastructure strain, 109 words): An engineering audit of Lakeside’s water system reports that the city’s population grew by 35% since 2010, but many water mains and sewer lines date to the 1950s. As new apartment buildings infill older neighborhoods, peak demand frequently exceeds designed capacity, leading to low water pressure and occasional sewage overflows during heavy rain. The audit states that maintenance backlogs grew as the tax base shifted toward newer suburbs outside the city boundary, reducing revenue for upgrades. Researchers conclude that rapid urban growth can overwhelm aging systems when reinvestment lags. Which factor most directly contributes to the challenge described?

Secondary source excerpt (housing shortages, 88 words): A nonprofit report on Eastborough notes that new construction is concentrated in high-end condominiums, while the stock of older rental units declines as buildings are renovated and rents reset upward. The report finds that even when total housing units increase, the number of units affordable to households earning below the median income falls. Researchers call this an “affordability gap” driven by filtering that moves too slowly for low-income renters and by limited inclusionary requirements. Which interpretation best aligns with the report’s findings?