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.

The North America Nebula is named for its similarity in shape to the North American continent. It was discovered within the Milky Way by astronomer William Herschel in 1790. What was Mr. Herschel most likely observing?  
 (A) the explosion following the collapse of a star (B) a dense cluster of stars of varying magnitudes (C) meteorites as Earth passed through the tail of a comet (D) a cloud of hydrogen gas and dust where stars are born
D

Water at 20°C in an uncovered pan is evaporating very slowly. What could be done to the water to make it evaporate more quickly?  
 (A) Cover it. (B) Heat it. (C) Place it in the dark. (D) Put salt in it.
B

When rock particles settle at the bottom of the ocean, they can continue to be buried by other particles. The process of cementation of these particles forms  
 (A) molten rocks. (B) igneous rocks. (C) sedimentary rocks. (D) metamorphic rocks.

C

