In solving problems, people who are field dependent: A. rely on external frames of reference. B. tend to accept the physical environment as a given. C. tend to focus on specific features of a problem. D. tend to do all of the above. E. do both a and b.

Field-dependent individuals are those who tend to rely on external cues or frames of reference while solving a problem, and they usually accept the physical environment as it is presented to them.

Let's take a look at the given options in the exercise: A. rely on external frames of reference - This statement is true for field-dependent problem solvers as they depend on external cues. B. tend to accept the physical environment as a given - This statement is also true for field-dependent problem solvers since they accept the environment as it is. C. tend to focus on specific features of a problem - This statement reflects field-independent problem solvers, who can analyze the problem's smaller components, therefore, it is not true for field-dependent problem solvers. D. tend to do all of the above - Since option 'C' is not true for field-dependent problem solvers, this statement is not correct. E. do both a and b - This statement is correct as it combines the true statements A and B.

Based on our evaluation of the options, the correct answer to this exercise is Option E: do both a and b, meaning field-dependent problem solvers rely on external frames of reference and tend to accept the physical environment as a given.