In this reading comprehension question about the TRAPPIST 1 planetary system, you must explain what is meant by the Goldilocks zone, that special region around a star where a planet has the right conditions to possibly have liquid water on its surface.

Introduction / Context:
The passage about the TRAPPIST 1 system explains the concept of a habitable zone around a star, commonly called the Goldilocks zone. This region is described as neither too close nor too far from the star, which makes it possible for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. The term Goldilocks refers to a situation that is just right, borrowing from a popular fairy tale. The question asks you to choose the option that best captures this scientific idea as it is presented in the passage, focusing on the relation between distance from the star and the presence of liquid water.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage defines the Goldilocks zone as the region around a star that is neither too close nor too far.
• This zone raises the possibility of liquid water being present on the surface of a planet.
• The question asks what the Goldilocks zone is, offering various interpretations.
• The options include both incorrect and partially correct descriptions of planetary conditions.
• We assume the reader understands that the question is about the region relative to a star, not a place within a planet or a star.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, focus on the description given in the passage. The Goldilocks zone is defined by distance from the star rather than a specific area on the planet or inside the star. The main purpose of this zone is to allow temperatures that can keep water in liquid form on the planetary surface. Therefore, the best option will mention correct distance from the star and the possibility of liquid water. Options that talk about mythological places, lowest possibility of water, or right amount of sunlight on a specific spot on the planet do not match the passage explanation and should be rejected.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Verify your choice by examining the other options. Option A refers to a mythological place, which has nothing to do with the scientific description in the passage. Option B suggests the lowest possibility of liquid water, which contradicts the idea of a habitable zone where water could exist in liquid form. Option D talks about that place on a planet which has the right amount of sunlight, focusing on a local spot rather than a distance from the star and missing the central idea of orbital position. Option E mentions a region inside a star where nuclear reactions start, which describes the core of a star and is completely unrelated to habitability. Only option C accurately summarises the balanced distance from the star that allows for liquid water, consistent with the passage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because the Goldilocks zone is a scientific term, not a mythical location, even though the name is inspired by a fairy tale. Option B is incorrect because the passage links the zone to a higher, not a lower, possibility of liquid water. Option D misplaces the concept by focusing on a place on the planet surface rather than the orbital zone around the star, and by mentioning sunlight instead of the overall temperature conditions that support liquid water. Option E confuses stellar physics with planetary habitability, talking about nuclear reactions inside stars which the passage never connects with the Goldilocks concept. Therefore, all these alternatives fail to capture the essence of the definition given in the passage.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students focus on key words like sunlight or warm and assume that any option mentioning light or temperature is correct, even if the description is incomplete or misplaced. Another common mistake is to interpret Goldilocks zone as a location on a planet surface, possibly because of everyday language, rather than an orbital region around a star. Some candidates also associate Goldilocks only with comfort, without connecting it to the scientific idea of liquid water. To avoid these mistakes, always ask yourself what the passage literally says. In this case, the crucial points are distance from the star, being neither too close nor too far, and the possibility of liquid water.

Final Answer:
The Goldilocks zone is the correct distance of a planet from its star to have possibility of having liquid water.