Question

a student is learning about living systems and reads the following: an illustration of how living systems work can be seen in the food chain of the animal kingdom. certain animals consume plants, while others prey on plant - eating animals. when these animals die, they decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients, which in turn supports plant growth. this cyclical process depends on the functioning of all its components. this passage best describes -
a a hypothesis about food chains
b a law about classifying living things
c a theory about living systems
d a process for an experiment

Explanation:

• Option A: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation to be tested, but the passage describes a known illustration of living systems (food chain and nutrient cycle), not a hypothesis.
• Option B: The passage is not about classifying living things, but about how they interact in a system.
• Option C: The passage uses the food chain and nutrient cycle to illustrate how living systems (plants, animals, soil components) work together, which aligns with a theory about living systems.
• Option D: The passage describes a natural process, not a process for conducting an experiment.

Answer:

C. A theory about living systems