TASK DEFINITION: You are given a science question (hard-level) and four answer options (associated with "A", "B", "C", "D"). Your task is to find the correct answer based on scientific facts, knowledge, and reasoning. Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: 'A', 'B, 'C', 'D'. There is only one correct answer for each question.
PROBLEM: A student observed a rock made up of many small particles of sand arranged in light-colored layers and dark-colored layers. Which of the following statements describes how this type of rock most likely formed?  
 (A) Clay was crushed and frozen under a glacier. (B) Lava from a volcano cooled quickly in water. (C) River sediments were slowly compacted and cemented together. (D) Mineral deposits hardened into solid rock in underground caves.

SOLUTION: C

PROBLEM: Five bowling balls are lined up touching one another on a smooth surface. Striking the first ball with a hammer makes the fifth ball move away from the group. The force of the hammer was transmitted through the line of balls as what type of wave?  
 (A) electromagnetic (B) heat (C) longitudinal (D) transverse

SOLUTION: C

PROBLEM: Which term is used to describe a physical property of a mineral?  
 (A) organic (B) solid (C) gaseous (D) fossiliferous

SOLUTION:
B