Which sector consists of businesses involved in the extraction and exploitation of natural resources?

• A. Secondary sector
• B. Primary sector
• C. Tertiary sector
• D. Quaternary sector

Answer: (B)

Economies are grouped by activity, and the primary sector is the part that deals with obtaining natural resources from the Earth. This includes mining, farming, forestry, fishing, and oil and gas extraction—activities that extract or harvest raw materials rather than turning them into finished products. The description in the question fits this exactly, since it focuses on extraction and extraction-related use of natural resources.

The other sectors serve different roles: the secondary sector processes and manufactures raw materials into goods; the tertiary sector provides services; and the quaternary sector focuses on knowledge-based activities like research and information.