Question

can tomato plants grow on mars? can pea plants? you might think the answer to these questions is obviously no, but researchers in the netherlands recently showed that the seeds of many common plant species can germinate in soil designed to simulate martian conditions, as long as water is supplied. in fact, some species actually did better in martian soil than in earth soil: 90 percent of tomato seeds sprouted when planted in simulated martian soil, compared with 66 percent that did when planted in soil from their home planet. which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole? a. it signals the surprising nature of the findings discussed in the text. b. it acknowledges that readers may object to the method used in the experiment discussed in the text. c. it clarifies a potential point of confusion about the hypothesis tested in the study discussed in the text. d. it draws a distinction between the two species discussed in the text.

Explanation:

The underlined part sets up an expectation that is then contradicted by the research findings, signaling their surprise - value.

Answer:

A. It signals the surprising nature of the findings discussed in the text.