|Question 9Verbal

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Given the immense scope of space, the search for extraterrestrial life is almost necessarily concentrated on the exoplanets deemed to have the most plausible chance of success—typically, atmosphere-bearing terrestrial planets orbiting within a certain range of their stars (termed the habitable zone). Claiming that Earth experienced a long transition from single-lid to plate tectonics that accelerated the emergence and evolution of complex organisms, researchers Robert J. Stern and Taras V. Gerya hold that consideration of tectonics, an often overlooked factor, could help further narrow the search for advanced extraterrestrial species.
Based on the text, what do Stern and Gerya most likely believe about the development of complex life on exoplanets?
It is more likely to occur on habitable zone planets with atmospheres and plate tectonics than on otherwise similar planets that lack plate tectonics.
A
It is more likely to occur if habitable zone planets with atmospheres transition from single-lid to plate tectonics late in their history than if they transition early in their history.
B
It is probably more dependent on the presence of plate tectonics than on orbital distance from a host star or the presence of an atmosphere.
C
It is unlikely unless the transition from single-lid to plate tectonics occurs before the acquisition of a lasting atmosphere.
D