Answer: A . to give some examples of the different characteristics of minerals
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally, when a claim is made, it needs to be backed up by evidence which will give it credence. This is what happened here.
First the writer stated that minerals had different characteristics. The author then presented evidence of these different characteristics by showing that minerals can be classified based on their shape, color, and hardness thereby giving credence to the statement that minerals do in fact have different characteristics.