The Oak Tree Family: Exploring the Diversity of Oak Trees in America

What can the reader infer from the passage?

A. All black oaks have light-colored barks.

B. Only oak trees bear acorns.

C. Only oak trees bear fruit annually.

D. All white oaks have dark-colored barks.

Answer

B. Only oak trees bear acorns

Final answer: The passage implies that only oak trees bear acorns, distinguishing them from other trees. White oaks have light-colored bark and annual crops, while black oaks have darker bark and acorns that take two years to grow.

Explanation: From the provided passage about the Oak Tree Family, we can infer that only oak trees bear acorns. This is because the text specifically states that "any tree that bears acorns can be recognized as an oak tree." This means that bearing acorns is a distinctive characteristic of oak trees. Additionally, we learn that the white oak group has light-colored bark and bears a crop every year, with leaves that are rounded and don't end in sharp points. In contrast, the black oak group trees have pointed, spiny tips on their leaves, usually dark-colored bark, and their acorns require two years of growth. Hence, statements about black oaks having light-colored barks or white oaks having dark-colored barks are incorrect.