In the following one word substitution question, choose the alternative that best replaces the phrase "preferring or attracted to sunlight", describing organisms or people that naturally seek or thrive in sunlight.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of scientific and descriptive vocabulary expressed through one word substitutions. The phrase "preferring or attracted to sunlight" is often used in biology and ecology to describe plants, animals, or microorganisms that grow best in sunny conditions. In English, Greek roots are frequently used to create such descriptive scientific terms.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase is "preferring or attracted to sunlight".
• Four terms are presented, some of which are derived from Greek roots.
• The correct term must include the root for sun combined with a suffix indicating love or preference.
• The other options refer to different preferences unrelated to sunlight.

Concept / Approach:
The Greek word "helios" means sun. The suffix "-philous" (or "-philic") denotes love for or attraction toward something. Combining these gives "heliophilous", meaning sunlight loving or attracted to sunlight. "Lithophilous" refers to organisms that love or live on stones ("lithos" means stone), "topophilia" refers to love for a place, and "homophile" refers to someone who is attracted to the same sex. Therefore, only "heliophilous" precisely matches the idea of preferring sunlight.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that "-philous" or "-philia" indicate love, liking, or attraction. Step 2: Look for a prefix that refers to the sun among the options. Step 3: Recognise that "helio" is the Greek root for sun, as in "heliocentric". Step 4: Combine "helio" with "-philous" to obtain "heliophilous", meaning sunlight loving. Step 5: Confirm that the other terms relate to stones, places, or other kinds of attraction and therefore are not correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can cross check by using other familiar words with the same roots. "Heliotherapy" refers to treatment using sunlight, and "heliocentric" describes a sun centred solar system model. These confirm that "helio" refers to the sun. Similarly, "lithosphere" relates to rocks, supporting that "litho" is stone. Putting this together makes it clear that "heliophilous" must be the one that describes preference for sunlight, confirming Option B as correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A, "Lithophilous", describes organisms that love or live on rocks or stones, not sunlight specifically.
• Option C, "Topophilia", means love of place, referring to emotional attachment to a location.
• Option D, "Homophile", refers to someone attracted to people of the same sex and has nothing to do with sunlight.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all options feature similar sounding suffixes and appear technical, students may become confused and choose at random. Some may misinterpret "lithophilous" if they have seen it before without recalling its meaning. To avoid such mistakes, practise breaking complex words into roots, connecting "helio" with sun, "litho" with stone, and "topo" with place. This method quickly reveals which term correctly matches the description in the question.

Final Answer:
The correct one word substitution for "preferring or attracted to sunlight" is Heliophilous, so Option B is the right answer.