Which choice below best paraphrases the passage?
Coral reefs and ocean plants live cooperatively, so reefs grow in sunny areas close to the ocean’s surface.
Coral reefs and ocean plants live cooperatively, which is why reefs grow in sunny areas near the surface.
Coral reefs are found close to the sunny ocean surface because the plants they rely on need sunlight to grow.
Coral reefs don’t need sunlight. They do, however, need oxygen, which they get from the ocean plants.
The best paraphrase of the passage is: Coral reefs are found close to the sunny ocean surface because the plants they rely on need sunlight to grow.
Explanation: This option accurately conveys the idea that coral reefs are located in bright areas due to their dependence on ocean plants that require sunlight for their growth, just as stated in the original passage. The other choices either make incorrect statements or are less clear in explaining the relationship between coral reefs and sunlight.