Ethanol is created from plants such as corn, sugarcane, soybeans, and rice. While ethanol is a viable energy source, very large areas of cropland must be dedicated to growing these plants in order to produce enough ethanol to be designated for commercial use. This production raised ethical questions because it meant farmers were growing food sources earmarked solely for fuel when there were many people around the world in dire need of food. These concerns only increased after 1995, as ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to complete the statement?
Correct
Incorrect
Since the sentence with the blank concerns the years since 1995, look at the data after 1995 in the graph. Pay attention to the relationship between the two lines: the solid line represents the percentage of corn production used for ethanol, and the dotted line reflects the price of corn. In the most recent year displayed in the graph, 2007, the price of corn and the percentage of corn production used for ethanol have both increased compared to the date listed near the blank, 1995. Choice (C) is correct. Choices (A), (B), and (D) do not accurately reflect the graph.
