Which of the following best describes the surface area of a solid figure?

A. Lateral area

B. Base area + lateral area

C. Base area

D. Base area - lateral area

The surface area of any object is the sum of all areas on the object itself, and thus it cannot be D. This would include both the base area and the lateral areas. And thus the correct answer would be B.

Assuming the figure has identifiable bases and sides, the total surface area is the sum of the areas of those:

... B. Base area + lateral area