instruction:
You are given a science question (easy-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.
question:
The North America Nebula is named for its similarity in shape to the North American continent. It was discovered within the Milky Way by astronomer William Herschel in 1790. What was Mr. Herschel most likely observing?  
 (A) the explosion following the collapse of a star (B) a dense cluster of stars of varying magnitudes (C) meteorites as Earth passed through the tail of a comet (D) a cloud of hydrogen gas and dust where stars are born
answer:
D


question:
The prairie grass ecosystem once had a deep layer of topsoil which was protected by the grasses that covered it. Removal of these grasses for farmland is causing the soil to be eroded mainly by  
 (A) wind and rain. (B) animal movement. (C) crops grown in the soil. (D) increased temperatures.
answer:
A


question:
Certain flowers will open for twelve hours and then close. Which stimulus do the flowers respond to when they open and then when they close for that time period?  
 (A) light levels (B) moon phases (C) seasonal temperatures (D) carbon dioxide levels
answer:

A