Which term describes a cold-blooded vertebrate animal that has scales and lays eggs?

Which term describes a cold-blooded vertebrate animal that has scales and lays eggs?

• A. Reptile
• B. Vertebrate
• C. Cold-blooded
• D. Scales

Answer: (A)

Think of a single term that names a whole group of animals that share these traits. Reptiles are vertebrates that are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and have dry, scaly skin. They reproduce mainly by laying eggs, often on land. Among the options, this word uniquely names the group that fits all those characteristics. Vertebrate is too broad, since it includes birds and mammals; cold-blooded describes physiology but not a group; scales is just a physical feature shared with other animals like fish. So the term that best matches all the described traits is reptile.