1. One of the cities Dr. Shepherd has studied is Houston, Texas. He found that it rains more in Houston than in surrounding areas. What do you think will happen to rainfall amounts if Houston grows larger? A. Rainfall amounts will likely decrease in the city. B. Rainfall amounts will likely increase in the city. C. Rainfall amounts will likely be the same in the city.

To analyze the potential impact of Houston's growth on rainfall amounts, we can consider several factors related to urbanization and its effects on local weather patterns. 1. **Urban Heat Island Effect**: As cities grow, they often experience the urban heat island effect, where urban areas become warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities and infrastructure. This increased temperature can lead to more evaporation and potentially more moisture in the atmosphere, which can contribute to increased rainfall. 2. **Increased Surface Area**: A larger city may have more surfaces (like roads, buildings, and other infrastructure) that can affect local wind patterns and moisture retention. This can lead to changes in precipitation patterns. 3. **Changes in Land Use**: Urban growth often involves the conversion of natural landscapes (like forests and wetlands) into urban areas. This can disrupt local ecosystems and hydrology, potentially leading to changes in rainfall distribution. 4. **Climate Change Considerations**: Larger urban areas may also contribute to broader climate change effects, which can alter rainfall patterns over time. Given these considerations, the most likely outcome is that rainfall amounts will likely increase in the city due to the urban heat island effect and changes in local weather patterns. Therefore, the answer is: **B. Rainfall amounts will likely increase in the city.**