chapter 16, 17, 18
Estimate the total energy use at the lab building and the total estimated savings. Approximately what percentage of the total electrical energy use do these savings represent? 5% 62% 95% 55%
62%
In 2000, how much solid waste did the average person in the United States produce? -220 metric tons per year -770 kilograms per year -190 metric tons per year -840 kilograms per year
770 kilograms per year
In 2013, how many millions of tons of U.S. municipal solid waste were either recycled or composted? 20 250 160 130 90
90
You own a restaurant and the food waste from your business is managed in the same way as it is for most of the U.S. What is done with it? It is managed on-site. It is fed to livestock. It is sent to a landfill. It is composted.
It is sent to a landfill.
You stay at the Island Hideout in Thailand. Which of the following is least likely to be done with the food waste you produce while there? It will be turned into fertilizer. It will be turned into a drain cleaner. It will be turned into an all-purpose cleaner. It will be taken to a landfill
It will be taken to a landfill
Which of the following categories comprises the greatest proportion, by weight, of solid waste before recycling in the United States today? Glass Plastic Metal Paper Yard trimmings
Paper
What is an abandoned waste site that poses a direct threat to health and the environment, designated to have U.S. government funds applied to its cleanup? landfill leachate-producing site surface impoundment site Superfund site hazardous waste site
Superfund site
Which of the following disposal methods concentrates liquid hazardous waste into a solid? Deep-well injection Surface impoundments Incineration Landfills
Surface impoundments
The first bottle bills were ________. -initiated in the 1990s -a consequence of landfill regulations -designed to cut down on litter -designed to provide glass for road construction -designed to provide incentives to industry
designed to cut down on litter
Which of the following is produced by anaerobic decomposition in landfills? nitrogen oxides methane ozone carbon dioxide methylmercury
methane
Which of the following statements are supported by the graph? Select all that apply. -Urban growth in more developed regions is projected to be faster than urban growth in less developed regions. -Rural populations are projected to drop in both more developed and less developed regions. -In 1950, urban populations in more developed regions and less developed regions were almost equal. -In 2050, urban populations in less developed regions are projected to reach 5 billion.In 2050, rural populations in less developed regions are projected to drop below 3 billion. -Urban populations are growing because more people are moving from farms to cities.
-Rural populations are projected to drop in both more developed and less developed regions. -In 1950, urban populations in more developed regions and less developed regions were almost equal. -In 2050, urban populations in less developed regions are projected to reach 5 billion.In 2050, rural populations in less developed regions are projected to drop below 3 billion.
How many MWh per year of savings are possible for HVAC? 1,100 MWh 1,050 MWh 1,500 MWh 1,000 MWh
1,500 MWh
If citizens of low-income countries produced MSW at the same rate as those in high-income countries, what would be the combined total MSW in millions of tons per year for the two categories of countries? 1,880 million tons MSW per year 1,489 million tons MSW per year 662 million tons MSW per year 2,254 million tons MSW per year
1,880 million tons MSW per year
For the low-income category, calculate pounds of municipal solid waste per capita per day. 1.11 x 1019 pounds MSW per capita per day 1.11 x 1013 pounds MSW per capita per day 1.17 pounds MSW per capita per day 1,166,444 pounds MSW per capita per day
1.17 pounds MSW per capita per day
The amount of waste sent to landfills leveled off around ________. 1985 2009 1965 1970 1995
1985
For the high-income nation category, calculate pounds MSW per capita per day. 2.64 pounds MSW per capita per day 1.76 x 1012 pounds MSW per capita per day 2,639,000 pounds MSW per capita per day 0.0013 pounds MSW per capita per day
2.64 pounds MSW per capita per day
The student report estimated $45,500 in electricity savings. What was the approximate cost of electricity in cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) used to calculate this savings? $2.70 per kWh 27 cents per kWh 0.027 cents per kWh 2.7 cents per kWh
2.7 cents per kWh
In which of the following years was the greatest volume of material recycled? 2010 1990 1980 1970 2000
2010
According to the projected data, after what year will the majority of people in less developed regions be living in urban areas? 2018 2028 2038 2048
2018
As of 2014, under the jurisdiction of the EPA, approximately ________% of hazardous sites identified under CERCLA as a national priority have been cleaned up. 60 40 50 3 30
30
How many megawatt hours (MWh) per year of savings did the students identify for computers at the Penn State Mueller Laboratory Building? 30 MWh 10 MWh 12 MWh 120 MWh
30 MWh
The average American generates approximately ________ lbs. of solid waste per day. 9 1.5 40 4.4 13.7
4.4
What is Recyclemania? -A competition between two college campuses to use their schools' longstanding athletics rivalry to jump-start their recycling programs. -A movie highlighting recycling campaigns in the United States. -A nationwide competition challenging all major cities to recycle more. -A competition founded by the oil industry to increase the recycling of petroleum products.
A competition between two college campuses to use their schools' longstanding athletics rivalry to jump-start their recycling programs.
Which of the following are examples of e-waste? computer DVD player microwave All answers are correct.
All answers are correct.
Which of the following is most likely true? -An increase in Internet shopping will lead to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. -An increase in Internet shopping will have no impact on greenhouse gas emissions. -An increase in Internet shopping will lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. -Internet shopping is too new to know how it will impact greenhouse gas emissions.
An increase in Internet shopping will lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Methane and carbon dioxide are both greenhouse gases. Which of the following is true? -An increase in the amount of food decomposing will cause unknown effects on climate change. -An increase in the amount of food decomposing will cause an increase in climate change. -An increase in the amount of food decomposing will cause a decrease in climate change. -An increase in the amount of food decomposing has no impact on climate change.
An increase in the amount of food decomposing will cause an increase in climate change.
Which of the following is true? -As composting rates increase, less methane is released to the atmosphere. -Composting has unknown effects on amounts of methane released to the atmosphere. -As composting rates increase, there is no change in the amount of methane released to the atmosphere. -As composting rates increase, more methane is released to the atmosphere.
As composting rates increase, less methane is released to the atmosphere.
Which of the following statements is the best description of the per capita generation of solid waste between 1960 and 2010? -Between 1960 and 2010, per capita generation was relatively constant. -Between 1960 and 2000, per capita generation increased. After 2000, per capita generation declined. -Between 1960 and 2010, per capita generation of solid waste increased steadily. -Between 1960 and 1990, per capita generation increased at a steady rate. After 1990, per capita generation continued to increase, but at a slower rate.
Between 1960 and 1990, per capita generation increased at a steady rate. After 1990, per capita generation continued to increase, but at a slower rate.
Which of the following statements is the best description of the total MSW generation between 1960 and 2010? -Between 1960 and 2010, total MSW generation increased steadily. -Between 1960 and 2010, total MSW generation remained constant. -Between 1960 and 2005, total MSW generation increased at a steady rate. After 2005, total generation leveled off. -Between 1960 and 2000, total MSW generation increased. After 2000, total MSW generation declined.
Between 1960 and 2005, total MSW generation increased at a steady rate. After 2005, total generation leveled off.
Although "dry tombing" or capping a landfill after it is full is necessary, what problem can it create? -Waste becomes more toxic when confined. -The lining creates a hazard for landfill workers. -Leachate can break through the lining. -The lining does not allow for microorganisms to enter the landfill. -Biodegradable waste can remain for decades in a landfill.
Biodegradable waste can remain for decades in a landfill.
___________ would help prevent the creation of leachate. Capping the landfill when it is filled to capacity Using a single-liner system rather than a double-liner system Adding water to solid waste prior to landfilling Adding oxygen to solid waste prior to landfilling Adding hazardous chemicals to solid waste prior to landfilling
Capping the landfill when it is filled to capacity
Members of the Indian government visit ITC Maurya's BioUrja plant and pass legislation requiring all food waste in India to be managed using the same technique. What would happen? -Food waste would be used as fertilizer. -Food waste would be used for animal feed. -Food waste would be used to generate electricity. -Food waste would be used to cap landfills.
Food waste would be used to generate electricity.
You are a member of a student committee at your college that is evaluating building energy use and potential savings. If your committee finds that your college's potential savings would be similar to those shown for Penn State, action in which area or combination of areas would result in approximately 5% energy savings? HVAC Computers, printers, and elevator Lighting Printers and elevator
Lighting
What prevents the contamination of groundwater in landfills? -Locating them in deserts -Locating them in layers of impermeable rock -Locating them below the water table -Locating them at least 6 meters above the water table and lining them with a heavy duty plastic
Locating them at least 6 meters above the water table and lining them with a heavy duty plastic
You work for AgRecycle and are in charge of the composting process for incoming food waste. You'll need to add which of the following to such waste for proper decomposition? Materials rich in iron Materials rich in phosphorus Materials rich in oxygen Materials rich in carbon
Materials rich in carbon
Looking at the graph, examine how per capita MSW production changed over time. Specifically, how did per capita generation of MSW compare between 1990 and 2015? -Per capita generation of MSW in the U.S. was slightly higher in 2015 than in 1990. -Per capita generation of MSW in the U.S. was slightly lower in 2015 than in 1990. -Per capita generation of MSW in the U.S. was two times higher in 2015 than in 1990. -Per capita generation of MSW in the U.S. was two times higher in 1990 than in 2015.
Per capita generation of MSW in the U.S. was two times higher in 2015 than in 1990.
Which of the following types of hazardous waste are unstable and pose dangers when in contact with other compounds? Ignitable Corrosive Toxic Reactive
Reactive
From an environmental standpoint, which of the following is the best option? Composting cardboard. Decreasing cardboard recycling. Increasing cardboard recycling. Reducing the amount of cardboard used.
Reducing the amount of cardboard used.
Your friend owns a restaurant in Brazil and wants to give the extra food away to those in need. Which of the following is true? She cannot give any of the food away. She can give all of it away. She can only give the uncooked food away. She can only give the cooked food away.
She cannot give any of the food away.
The Superfund, established to clean up hazardous waste sites in the United States, is a part of what legislation? -Resource Conservation and Recovery Act -Superfund Management and Liability Act -Hazardous Waste Management Act -The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act -Superfund Authority Act
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
How is the generation of municipal solid waste likely to change in the next 20 years? -Total municipal waste generation will continue at its current rate. -Per capita generation of waste will continue to decline. -Total municipal waste generation will decline. -The answer cannot be determined from the graph.
The answer cannot be determined from the graph.
How did the University of Florida help address the problem of global warming? -The athletic program eliminated all carbon emissions. -The athletic program collected money during games to recycle newspapers and plastics. -The athletic program used solar energy during games to remove carbon dioxide from the air. -The athletic program reduced local energy consumption and planted trees.
The athletic program reduced local energy consumption and planted trees.
Describe the relationship between per capita MSW generation in the high-income nations versus the low-income nations. -The daily per capita MSW in high-income countries is the same as in low-income countries. -The daily per capita MSW in high-income countries is 1.5 times greater than in low-income countries. -The daily per capita MSW in high-income countries is 2.25 times greater than daily per capita MSW in low-income countries. -The daily per capita MSW in high-income countries is less than 0.5 times the daily per capita MSW in low-income countries.
The daily per capita MSW in high-income countries is 2.25 times greater than daily per capita MSW in low-income countries.
What has happened to about 80% of the e-waste collected in the United States by recyclers? -The electronics were placed into landfills in the United States. -The electronics were carefully separated into their components and safely recycled. -The electronics were given to schools for students to use. -The electronics were sent to developing countries.
The electronics were sent to developing countries.
How does planting trees offset carbon generated by the University of Florida athletic program? -The planted trees will be cut down to produce construction materials for the athletic program. -The planted trees will be cut down to produce paper products for the athletic program. -The planted trees will sequester carbon dioxide from the air as they grow. -The planted trees will be burned to generate electricity for the athletic program.
The planted trees will sequester carbon dioxide from the air as they grow.
Between 2000 and 2010, per capita generation of solid waste declined, but the total amount of MSW remained relatively constant. What caused the difference in these two trends? -The total population was increasing. -Per capita generation of waste is not included in the figures for total MSW generation. -The amount of industrial waste was increasing. -The answer cannot be determined from this graph.
The total population was increasing.
What is the main reason many sports teams are choosing to compost? -It is required in many major cities. -It is the requirement of many professional sports leagues. -To save money. -Because fans are demanding it.
To save money.
What is a potential, and likely, drawback to the deep-well injection of hazardous wastes? -Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel. -Large buildings must be constructed to house these wells. -It is hard to drill very deep into the ground. -The wells tend to catch fire.
Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel.
You are the manager at Soneva Fushi. Based on the results at your resort, would you recommend a food audit to your colleagues at other locations? -No, the results were too complicated to put into real action. -Yes, as the food waste your resort produces has decreased dramatically. -No, as you were not able to divert your food waste in a reliable and economic manner. -Yes, though the results have been negligible.
Yes, as the food waste your resort produces has decreased dramatically.
Which of the following would be considered household hazardous waste? a tire a plastic milk jug an alkaline battery an aluminum can a can of spray paint
a can of spray paint
For the low-income nation category, calculate pounds of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day. about 1.3 million pounds MSW per day about 3.1 million pounds MSW per day about 3.6 billion pounds MSW per day 1.316 x 1012 pounds MSW per day
about 3.6 billion pounds MSW per day
What type of pollution does recycling help to alleviate with regards to KSU? -air pollution from automobile exhaust -water pollution from campus rain barrels -air and water pollution from mining -air and water pollution from the campus and community gardens
air and water pollution from mining
According to the figure, which of the following trends has occurred since 1990? -an increase in the amount of waste being landfilled -an increase in the amount of waste being composted -a decrease in the amount of waste being recycled -a decrease in the amount of waste produced -an increase in the amount of waste being combusted
an increase in the amount of waste being composted
According to the figure, which of the following trends occurred from 1960 to 2000? -a decrease in the amount of waste being combusted -a decrease in the amount of waste sent to landfills -a decrease in the amount of waste produced -an increase in the amount of waste being recycled -an increase in the number of functioning landfills
an increase in the amount of waste being recycled
The bioenergy garden at Georgia Southern University is used to show plants that can be used __________. -as biofuels that will not add any extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere -as landscaping, providing energy-saving shade to homes and businesses -to conserve water -to directly generate electricity from photosynthesis in the leaves
as biofuels that will not add any extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
What incentive for recycling guarantees a refund to consumers? bottle bills "glassphalt" MRFs "pay-as-you-throw"
bottle bills
Which of the following consume the bulk of the electricity used in the United States? buildings tire production automobiles street lights
buildings
The Neutral Gator program used methods that _____. -reduced the amount of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere -decreased production of carbon dioxide -increased production of carbon dioxide -decreased production of carbon dioxide and reduced the amount of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere
decreased production of carbon dioxide and reduced the amount of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere
How can consumers decrease waste generation? -by choosing minimally packaged goods -by purchasing goods with the Energy Star label -by choosing to purchase only imported goods -by choosing to buy locally made goods
by purchasing goods with the Energy Star label
LEED standards in the construction of new buildings establishes criteria that __________. -encourage the consumption of local foods -limit construction to the use of recycled materials -conserve energy and water and improve indoor air quality -require that all energy used in the building comes from wind or solar sources
conserve energy and water and improve indoor air quality
The water reuse system on the campus of Georgia Southern University __________. -collects runoff water from lawns and parking lots to water lawns and gardens on campus -conserves water by using treated city wastewater instead of city tap water for irrigation -uses water from campus sinks and toilets to water lawns and gardens on campus -uses tap water to water lawns and gardens and then catches and reuses any water that runs off of these systems
conserves water by using treated city wastewater instead of city tap water for irrigation
Which of the following is currently the biggest driving force behind the increase of Internet shopping? declining competition declining consumption convenience cost
convenience
You are an entrepreneur and you develop a new line of compostable servicewear using a different base item than Ingeo. What did you avoid using? corn starch potato starch soy flour tapioca flour
corn starch
When computers are recycled in the United States in ways that limit environmental pollution, they are ____. -burned to generate electricity -separated down to the atomic level, creating supplies of elements for later use -crushed, mixing all the components together and then melted into a large block that is buried -disassembled into their basic parts and recycled in various ways
disassembled into their basic parts and recycled in various ways
One common way to increase the sustainability of a food system is to buy and consume __________. -meat instead of fruits and vegetables -foods that are grown locally -processed foods that require little to no preparation before consumption -food that is individually wrapped
foods that are grown locally
Fans attending University of Florida athletic events are responsible for providing carbon offsets for _____. -all plastic products used in the stadium to provide fans with food and beverages -any use of hot water in the stadium, which is heated using gas -fossil fuels used to get fans to and from the stadium -any use of electricity in the stadium
fossil fuels used to get fans to and from the stadium
Plastic ________. -from grocery bags is labeled with recycling symbols #1 and #2 -polystyrene is considered a plastic contaminant -from beverage containers is easily recyclable if uncapped, washed, and flattened -containers from motor oil are recycled with beverage bottles to make new bottles -not made from recyclables is made from renewable raw materials
from beverage containers is easily recyclable if uncapped, washed, and flattened
What hazardous material do fluorescent light bulbs contain, making it important to dispose of them properly? ANSWER: aluminum uranium mercury carbon lead
mercury
What is one problem associated with the incineration of solid waste? -the waste is radioactive -leachate the may contaminate groundwater -the volume of waste increases -hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere
hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere
E-wastes are a source of ________. heavy and precious metals radioactive materials acid corrosives ignitables compostable organic compounds
heavy and precious metals
Which of the following represent the categories of hazardous waste? -municipal, industrial, and agricultural -inorganic and organicsolid, liquid, and gaseous -nonbiodegradable and biodegradable -ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and toxic
ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and toxic
Worldwide, the fastest growing cities today are mostly ________. -the megacities such as Tokyo, Mexico City, and New York City -small cities in the southern United States, such as Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina -in developing nations, such as Delhi, India -large cities worldwide, such as Paris, London, and Los Angeles -cities in the northern United States, such as Chicago, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon
in developing nations, such as Delhi, India
Of the following, ________ produce(s) the largest amount of hazardous waste. industry buildingdemolitions agriculture utilities households
industry
Which of the following sectors produces the most hazardous waste? residential industry small businesses grocery stores
industry
Which of the following actions would not reduce the per capita generation of solid waste? -composting kitchen scraps and yard waste -reducing the volume of product packaging -recycling paper and plastic bottles -installation of waste-to-energy incinerators -reusing items such as shopping bags and clothing
installation of waste-to-energy incinerators
Which of the following represents the largest waste disposal practice in the United States? -incineration -landfills -composting -recycling
landfills
The EPA is charged with cleaning up brownfields, which are ________. -lands whose reuse or development is complicated by the presence of hazardous materials -urban areas contaminated by acid drainage from mining -desert regions used for unsafe nuclear waste disposal -coastal sea grass beds damaged by industrial dumping -agricultural lands polluted by acid and heavy metals
lands whose reuse or development is complicated by the presence of hazardous materials
Lining a landfill with a thick tough plastic barrier is a strategy to address problems related to ________. incomplete decomposition leachate mudslides and trash slides methane production settling
leachate
What hazardous material do electronics contain, making them important to recycle properly? lead carbon uranium aluminum mercury
lead
One of the most toxic components of a computer is the _____. -copper in the wires of the cords -plastic in the keyboard -silicon in the glass of the computer -lead embedded in the glass of the monitor
lead embedded in the glass of the monitor
Which type of analysis is performed by industrial ecologists when they examine a product from its beginning as a raw material until its disposal? full-term analysis life-cycle analysis disposal-tracking analysis reverse-engineering analysis
life-cycle analysis
To safeguard against groundwater contamination, sanitary landfills are ________. -lined with cement -located on slopes so water runs downhill -lined with plastic and clay -located in unpopulated areas -located on industrial sites where groundwater is not used for drinking or agriculture
lined with plastic and clay
In the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, the metals in the winners' medals were ________. -produced from mining wastes in Vancouver -recovered from surface impoundments -made partly from precious metals recovered from recycled e-waste -recovered from local MRFs -recovered from local landfills
made partly from precious metals recovered from recycled e-waste
Which of the following is an example of a product found in a "throwaway society," such as the United States? -fine silverware -reusable cloth diapers -paper napkins -reusable razor blades
paper napkins
It costs less to operate an automobile in a small city than in a large city because ________. -people tend to drive smaller cars in small cities than in large cities -people in smaller cities tend to use mass transit more than they do in large cities -automobiles generally cost less to purchase in a small city than in a large city -parking costs more in a large city than in a small city -people generally drive fewer miles to and from work in a small city than in a large city
people generally drive fewer miles to and from work in a small city than in a large city
The earthworms, fungi, and bacteria in your compost pile will NOT be happy if you give them ________. grass clippings plastic food scraps autumn leaves paper
plastic
When our oil supply is depleted, a new material will need to be used to produce _________. glass aluminum plastic cardboard paper
plastic
The University of Florida's athletic program became carbon neutral because it _____. -recycled all paper used in its program and at football games -promoted programs that reduced fossil fuel use and sequestered carbon -replaced all vehicles with electric cars -eliminated consumption of all plastics throughout its program and athletic events
promoted programs that reduced fossil fuel use and sequestered carbon
An urban growth boundary (UGB) is intended to ________. -help an area retain its distinctive character -ensure that businesses do not locate in residential areas -maintain low housing costs for the average homeowner -enforce certain restrictions within neighborhoods -provide guidelines for city development to separate areas desired to be urban from areas desired to be rural
provide guidelines for city development to separate areas desired to be urban from areas desired to be rural
Which of the following is an easy and sustainable way for campuses to reduce waste? -Incinerators for garbage -outsource to companies that specialize in recycling -recycling bins -canals for dumping waste
recycling bins
Industrial ecologists ________. -favor an economy that moves linearly rather than circularly -redesign industrial systems to maximize physical and economic efficiency -urge an emphasis on internal manufacturing costs rather than external costs -advocate for taxes on green industries -primarily analyze industrial inputs
redesign industrial systems to maximize physical and economic efficiency
One of the main messages in the film about e-waste is that responsible consumers _____. -should never replace their electronics -should not buy any electronics -should ship outdated electronics overseas, where they can be used by others -should recycle outdated electronics
should recycle outdated electronics
What is the term that refers to the reduction of the amount of waste entering the waste stream? liquidation source reduction inventory recycling
source reduction
What does the red line on the graph represent? -the average amount of solid waste generated by each person in the United States per year -the total amount of solid waste generated by all people in the United States per year -the average amount of solid waste generated by each household in the United States per year -the period of time in years
the average amount of solid waste generated by each person in the United States per year
A city undergoing gentrification is experiencing ________. -urban decay -an aging population and a declining tax base -white flight -an increase in violent crimes and an increase in vacancy and abandonment of homes -the loss of working-class people from traditional neighborhoods as housing prices become too expensive
the loss of working-class people from traditional neighborhoods as housing prices become too expensive
What environmental problem is being addressed by the use of bio swales, large vegetated ditches or depressions, on the campus of Georgia Southern University? -a shortage of water for irrigating lawns and landscaping -the production of biofuels used to generate electricity on campus -the pollution of streams by oily runoff water from parking lots the local production of food
the pollution of streams by oily runoff water from parking lots
As an ecological resource manager, your preliminary environmental studies should include inquiry into whether ________. -the wetlands include oyster beds and shallow estuaries that are habitats for shrimp, crabs, and fish which are supporting many local industries -the lake should be provided with docks and a marina for sport fishermen -the city needs to obtain a great deal of revenue from the final choice -the financial situation of some potential investors is shaky -a new housing development just outside the city limits may increase traffic on the connecting highway
the wetlands include oyster beds and shallow estuaries that are habitats for shrimp, crabs, and fish which are
What does the left y-axis represent? -total generation of municipal solid waste, in kilograms per year -per capita generation of municipal solid waste, in kilograms per year -per capita generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year -total generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year
total generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year
Which of the following is a carbon-neutral (i.e., no net release of carbon to the atmosphere) activity? driving a scooter instead of a car walking burning trash eating a steak instead of a hamburger
walking
Which of the following would be characteristic of sprawl? -widely spaced homes spread evenly across a vast tract of land -a state university surrounded by miles and miles of businesses and dwellings housed in large multi-story structures -a few single-family dwellings near the edge of an enormous forest, adjacent to some cabbage farms and a small town situated 15 miles to the north -an empty, ruined temple surrounded by nothing but grasslands and herds of wild animals
widely spaced homes spread evenly across a vast tract of land
