A student researching deserts has taken notes:
• Deserts receive less than 10 inches of rain annually • Desert plants and animals have remarkable water-saving adaptations • Not all deserts are hot—Antarctica is technically a desert • Deserts cover about 33% of Earth's land surface • Desert ecosystems are surprisingly fragile despite harsh conditions
The student wants to correct a common misconception about deserts.
Deserts receive less than 10 inches of rainfall annually.
Contrary to popular belief, not all deserts are hot—Antarctica qualifies as a desert due to its low precipitation, despite its frigid temperatures.
Desert plants and animals have developed remarkable water-saving adaptations.
Deserts cover approximately 33% of Earth's land surface area.
Correct Answer: B
Choice B. Antarctica as cold desert corrects the hot desert misconception.