Question

Redwood trees are amazing plants. They have the ability to maintain themselves despite being damaged by humans. People have cut down redwoods for over a century to make room for cities, homes, and roads. However, the redwoods that remain continue to grow. Today, some of them are more than 2,000 years old. People are working to preserve the redwoods by planting trees to replace those that have been cut down.

Polyphenols, nutrients found in redwoods, help keep the redwoods from getting plant diseases. Nutrients like these feed plants in the same way that humans eat food for nourishment. Redwoods also have little resin in their bark, so they do not catch fire as easily as other trees.
Question
The word maintain most likely means—
Responses
A To take care ofTo take care of
B To make more ofTo make more of
C To grow tired ofTo grow tired of
D To lose sight of

Answer 1

A — To take care of

"Maintain themselves" in context means the redwoods can continue to care for or sustain themselves despite damage.