Annuals vs Perennials: which pair is correctly matched with typical examples?

• A. Annuals live multiple years (apple trees); perennials complete life cycle in one year (corn).
• B. Annuals include alfalfa; perennials include wheat.
• C. Annuals and perennials are indistinguishable.
• D. Annuals complete life cycle in one year (corn, wheat); perennials live multiple years (apple trees, alfalfa).

Answer: (D)

Annuals complete their life cycle in one year, while perennials live for multiple years. That means plants like corn and wheat grow from seed, mature, produce seed, and die within a single growing season. In contrast, plants such as apple trees and alfalfa persist for many years, regrowing or remaining productive across multiple seasons.

So the pairing that matches this pattern is: annuals with a one-year life cycle (corn, wheat) and perennials that live for multiple years (apple trees, alfalfa). The other options mix up which plants are annuals versus perennials or claim there’s no difference, which doesn’t fit how these life cycles actually work.