Determine which element has a higher melting point

The variation in melting points of compounds, especially organic compounds, arises due to the intermolecular forces. This is because these forces have to be overcome before the molecules can be freed from the solid lattice into the liquid state. Compounds with stronger intermolecular bonding, such as ionic bonds, tend to have higher melting and boiling points compared to solids that are held together by weaker covalent bonds. 

The answer is b on plato.