Simple, It is a figure of speech where an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. So for an example in the hunger games series the mockingjay pin or the mockingjay itself would be symbolism in literature. <span />
These lines from the Declaration of Independence are an example of the use of thesis. The Declaration of Independence contains many examples of the use of thesis.
For me, the answer is letter D.
Only choice D has the technical words associated to geography. The rest of the choices contain common words that any mundane could use. But choice D talks about geology itself in the ocean which is highly influenced by drilling and mining. Knowledgeable readers would understand this because drilling and mining require workers to tap into the geological rocks deep beneath the ground which may cause a significant alteration in the oceanic geology.