Final answer:
A time-specific life table is constructed by surveying a population at a single point in time to determine the distribution of age classes, hence option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Life tables are valuable tools in biology for understanding the life history of organisms, including the mortality rate and life expectancy at various ages. The correct answer to the student's question is C) population to obtain a distribution of age classes during a single time period. A time-specific life table surveys a population at a single point in time to determine the distribution of various age classes within that population. It is a snapshot that helps researchers understand the age structure and dynamics of the population without following individuals throughout their lives.