Final answer:
The defining characteristic of deserts is not their high daytime temperatures, but rather the scarcity of water and lack of vegetation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Geography as it relates to the defining characteristic of deserts. Deserts are areas of land that receive very little rainfall and have a lack of vegetation. While high daytime temperatures are a common characteristic of deserts, it is not the defining characteristic. The main defining characteristic of deserts is the scarcity of water, which leads to the lack of vegetation and harsh living conditions for plants and animals.
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