Question

read the text. then answer the question.
earth is surrounded by a layer of gases called the atmosphere. the gases that make up the atmosphere sustain life on earth. living organisms take in and release some of these gases. gases in the atmosphere also help insulate earth from extreme temperatures and block some harmful forms of sunlight.
earths organisms rely on the atmosphere for which of the following? select all that apply.
carbon dioxide oxygen
stable temperatures sunlight

Explanation:

1. For carbon dioxide: Living organisms (like plants in photosynthesis and animals in respiration) take in or release gases including carbon dioxide, so organisms rely on the atmosphere for it.
2. For oxygen: Organisms (like animals in respiration) need oxygen from the atmosphere to survive.
3. For stable temperatures: The text says gases in the atmosphere help insulate Earth from extreme temperatures, so organisms rely on the atmosphere for stable temperatures.
4. For sunlight: The atmosphere blocks harmful sunlight, but organisms don't rely on the atmosphere for sunlight itself (sunlight comes from the sun, and the atmosphere filters it, but the question is about what organisms rely on the atmosphere for—sunlight isn't provided by the atmosphere, and the text says the atmosphere blocks harmful sunlight, not that organisms rely on the atmosphere for sunlight. So sunlight is incorrect.

Answer:

A. carbon dioxide, B. oxygen, C. stable temperatures