Final answer:
The strong cohesive nature of water is due to hydrogen bonding among water molecules, leading to a high surface tension.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strong cohesive nature of water is best described by its ability to form strong hydrogen bonds among its molecules. This cohesion, which is due to water being a polar substance with a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom, allows water molecules to stick together.
This property of water also leads to a very high surface tension, allowing insects like water striders to walk on the surface of water and water droplets to form beads on smooth surfaces.