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.

A hearing aid is a small device that contains an amplifier, a battery, a microphone, and a speaker. Which part of a hearing aid functions to detect sounds in the user's environment?  
 (A) the amplifier (B) the battery (C) the microphone (D) the speaker
C

A geologist finds a layer of shale near the surface from a certain time period. Nearby, the geologist finds the same layer of shale, but it is deeper underground than the first layer. What might have caused the difference in the depth of the shale layer?  
 (A) a meteorite (B) a fault (C) ancient fossils (D) animal life
B

Which of the following is more likely to occur in a plant cell than in an animal cell?  
 (A) synthesis of enzymes (B) formation of cellulose (C) breakdown of glucose (D) active transport of ions

B