The rock, dust, soil and minerals of the Earth's solid crust and outer mantle make up the __ A. geosphere B. atmosphere C. biosphere D. cryosphere

## Step 1<br />The question is asking us to identify the term that refers to the solid part of the Earth, which includes the rock, dust, soil, and minerals of the Earth's solid crust and outer mantle. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />Let's go through the options one by one:<br /><br />### A. Geosphere<br />The geosphere refers to the solid parts of the Earth, including the crust, mantle, and core. This term encompasses all the solid materials of the Earth, including the rock, dust, soil, and minerals of the Earth's solid crust and outer mantle.<br /><br />### B. Atmosphere<br />The atmosphere refers to the layer of gases surrounding the Earth. It does not include the solid parts of the Earth.<br /><br />### C. Biosphere<br />The biosphere refers to the regions of the Earth where life exists. It includes all living organisms and their habitats, but not the solid parts of the Earth.<br /><br />### D. Cryosphere<br />The cryosphere refers to the frozen water part of the Earth system. It includes all the areas of the Earth where water is in its solid form, such as ice caps and glaciers. It does not include the solid parts of the Earth.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Based on the above analysis, the term that refers to the solid parts of the Earth, including the rock, dust, soil, and minerals of the Earth's solid crust and outer mantle, is the geosphere.