Ginkgo biloba is a classic textbook example of a living fossil.
Identifying this single link (B-III) instantly points you to the correct option in multiple-choice matching questions.
Step 1: Recall the signature feature of each plant group named in the columns. Bryophytes are known for a dominant gametophyte with a dependent sporophyte, gymnosperms like Ginkgo are living fossils with primitive vascular tissue, and algae such as those in Chlorophyceae have their own distinct characters, so each group has one feature that gives it away immediately. Step 2: Pair each feature to its group. The dependent, foot-seta-capsule sporophyte points straight to bryophytes, the living fossil description points to Ginkgo among gymnosperms, and the primitive vascular tissue description points to gymnosperms generally, leaving the last option for the chlorophycean alga. Step 3: Lock in the combination. Matching each column entry this way gives A with bryophytes, B with Ginkgo, C with gymnosperms and D with the remaining algal group, exactly as option 1 lists. Final answer: Option 1, A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II is the correct matching.
