Amphibians require water to reproduce, laying soft, jelly-like eggs. This biological necessity explains why amphibians can be _______ reptiles, which lay hard-shelled eggs and can reproduce entirely on dry land.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
distinguished from
reconstituted as
conflated with
derived from
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The text distinguishes between amphibians (water for eggs) and reptiles (hard shells/dry land). "Distinguished from" means treated as different or set apart from.
Choice B is incorrect because "reconstituted as" means formed again. Choice C is incorrect because "conflated with" means confused with, which is what the biological distinction prevents. Choice D is incorrect because amphibians are not "derived from" reptiles in this context.