Question

While orbiting Mars, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took images of the planet's surface. In those pictures, lines, like plant vines, appeared to flow down from slopes on Mars. These lines showed up during the warmer seasons and disappeared in the colder seasons. The discovery of the lines suggests that water exists on Mars.
Although Mars has long been known to have ice, researchers are sitting on pins and needles hoping more evidence will reveal itself. Water is an essential building block for life. Therefore, with this information, scientists think that finding life on Mars may be possible. However, confirming the existence of water may take some time. Scientists have other missions already planned before they take on finding water on Mars.
5Question 5
Why are the lines on the slopes of Mars compared to plant vines?
A.
to show how the lines spread across the slopes
B.
to highlight the different varieties of plants
C.
to describe the harsh climate on the planet
D.
to explain how plants can survive on Mars

Answer 1

A. to show how the lines spread across the slopes

The simile compares the lines to vines to convey their appearance and the way they flow/spread down the slopes.