Final answer:
Temperature ranges near oceans are less extreme than inland areas because water has a higher specific heat, which means it moderates the temperature fluctuations more effectively than land.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question 'Which of the following is true about temperature ranges in areas located near oceans compared with inland areas?' is d) Temperature ranges near oceans are less extreme than in inland areas. This phenomenon is due to the fact that water heats and cools more slowly than land, which means that ocean temperatures influence coastal climates to be more moderate. In contrast, inland areas, which lack this large body of water's moderating effect, can experience more extreme temperatures both in winters and summers.
Maritime climates are typically milder due to the ocean's ability to absorb and transport heat with its currents. Coastal communities, therefore, often have smaller temperature variations between day and night, and also from season to season. Inland areas typically do not benefit from the ocean's influence and thus can experience more substantial temperature fluctuations, leading to more extreme climates.