Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the following questions Cactus does not have broad leaves because broad leaves lose too much water. The leaves in a cactus are reduced to spines or thorns. The cactus stem instead, is green, thick and fleshy. The green stem carries out photosynthesis and stores water for the plant. Waxy layer on the stem helps to reduce loss of water. The leaves of cactus are reduced to spines so that they can _______.

• A. reduce the loss of water     
• B. prepare food
• C. absorb more water                  
• D. None of these