Scientists are doing research in a desert. There are very few species of plants in the desert except for some cacti and succulents that have adaptations, allowing them to survive with very little water. The scientists discover many fossils of large leaves that resemble modern tropical plants that need a lot of water.

Question

Which conclusion about the history of the area is most likely true?
The area used to have more water that supported the growth of tropical plants.
People brought fossils of tropical plants and left them in the desert for others to find.
Tropical plants in ancient times did not require as much water as tropical plants now.
Cacti used to be tropical plants that needed a lot of water.

Answer 1

The most likely conclusion about the history of the area is: The area used to have more water that supported the growth of tropical plants.

The presence of fossils of large leaves resembling modern tropical plants indicates that the region once had a climate that could sustain such vegetation, which typically requires more water than what is available in a desert environment today.