Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is C. large; small, as water's large specific heat capacity results in a small temperature change when it absorbs or releases heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific heat of water is relatively large, which indicates that it requires a significant amount of energy to raise its temperature. This property implies that, in response to a given amount of heat, water shows a small change in temperature. Therefore, the correct answer is C. large; small. Water's high specific heat capacity means it absorbs more heat to raise the temperature by the same amount compared to substances with lower specific heat capacities. Consequently, this high specific heat capacity is responsible for the thermal stability in environments such as large bodies of water and plays a critical role in regulating Earth's climate and helping organisms maintain homeostasis.