The lithosphere is: a. hard and rigid and part of the outer core b. molten rock and part of the upper mantle c. hard and rigid and contains the crust d. molten rock and contains the crust

The correct choice is (A)  hard and rigid and part of the outer core

Earth's lithosphere includes the crust and the uppermost mantle, which constitute the hard and rigid outer layer of the Earth.  It consists of the continental crust, oceanic crust, and the upper part of the mantle, called the asthenosphere. The lithosphere is subdivided into tectonic plates. The uppermost part is crispy, and this is where brittle deformation happens, like faults, and damage from earthquakes