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.

Some plant species are more tolerant of acidic soil than others. The tolerant species are favored in areas affected by which consequence of human activity?  
 (A) mixing of pollutants with rain (B) erosion of topsoil by clearcutting (C) runoff of fertilizer used in farming (D) thinning of the atmospheric ozone layer
A

Which explains how the epithelium offers protection to land-dwelling vertebrates?  
 (A) Epithelium provides a rigid shell to prevent punctures. (B) Epithelium has capillaries to resist iron deficiency. (C) Epithelium insulates the vertebrate from hypothermia. (D) Epithelium prevents dehydration in vertebrates.
D

Which statement describes the transfer of energy when an ice cube is placed in a cup of hot tea?  
 (A) Heat flows from the tea to the ice. (B) Cold flows from the ice to the tea. (C) Cold flows from the ice, and heat flows from the tea. (D) Heat flows simultaneously between the ice and the tea.

A