Tar sands are a mixture of clay, sand, water, and bitumen. Which option lists these components?

• A. Bitumen alone
• B. Clay, sand, water, and bitumen
• C. Clay, sand, and water
• D. Sandstone and quartz

Answer: (B)

Tar sands are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen. The correct description lists all four components because tar sands consist of a mineral matrix of sand and clay with water in the pore spaces, plus bitumen—the thick, viscous hydrocarbon—that fills and coats the grains. Bitumen alone misses the mineral and water parts, while clay, sand, and water miss the hydrocarbon that defines tar sands. Calling it sandstone or quartz would point to specific rocks or minerals rather than the full, oil-bearing mixture. So the listing that includes clay, sand, water, and bitumen is the complete, accurate one.