Question

Lichens survive in the extreme cold conditions of Antarctica on earth for all the following reasons, except ____________

• A. some Antarctic rocks protect lichens beneath their surface
• B. the rock protects lichen from cold and absorbs water
• C. sunlight penetrates the surface of the Antarctic rock where lichen grows
• D. the Antarctic rocks protect the lichen from cold by absorbing water and leaving enough for the lichen's needs

Answer 1

The correct option is C sunlight penetrates the surface of the Antarctic rock where lichen grows

The passage talks about how lichens survive in the extreme cold conditions of the Antarctic in the following ways:

• Lichens are found just beneath the Antarctic rocks where sunlight can still reach them.
• The rock protects the lichen from the cold.
• The rock also absorbs water providing just as much as the lichen needs.
  So, the correct option is C since there is no direct evidence in the passage that suggests that the sunlight 'penetrates' the rock.