Answer:
C) cation, loses, anion, gains
Step-by-step explanation:
Lithium is a metal from Group 1, so it has 1 valence electron. Thus, it loses 1 electron to complete its octet and form the cation Li⁺.
Oxygen is a nonmetal from Group 16, so it has 6 valence electrons. Thus, it gains 2 electrons to complete its octet and form the anion O²⁻.
In the reaction between Li and O, there is a transfer of electrons making an ionic bond. In the bond, lithium would be a cation because it loses an electron, and oxygen would be an anion because it gains 2 electrons.