Urban Settlements

Correct answer: D. By service, trade and commuting links with surrounding areas

Explanation: A city’s sphere of influence is the surrounding area that functionally interacts with or depends on the city. It can be identified by examining the reach of services such as hospitals, schools, markets and administration, along with employment, trade, transport and commuting connections. For example, people may travel from nearby settlements to a city for work, shopping or medical care even though they live outside its legal boundary. Option D is correct because it measures these real functional relationships. Elevation and age do not show urban reach, and a political boundary may exclude places that are economically and socially connected to the city.

Correct answer: A. Increasing spatial separation between housing and employment

Explanation: The correct answer is A. When homes and employment centres become more spatially separated, people often have to travel farther to work each day. Urban expansion, the location of new jobs, housing costs, and the separation of residential and employment areas can contribute to this pattern. Rainfall or river direction alone does not explain a continuing increase in commuting distance linked to economic growth.