Final answer:
Granite is lighter in color and has a higher silica content than gabbro due to different mineral compositions, with granite being rich in silica-containing quartz and feldspar.
Step-by-step explanation:
Granite and gabbro are both igneous rocks, but they differ in both coloring and silica content. Granite typically has a lighter color with a high silica content, due to the abundant presence of minerals such as quartz and feldspar that are rich in silica. Gabbro, on the other hand, tends to be darker in color and has a lower silica content, as it is composed of more mafic minerals like pyroxene and olivine that contain higher amounts of iron and magnesium. Therefore, the correct answer to how granite differs from gabbro in coloring and silica content is: A. Granite is lighter colored with higher silica content.