Question

The graph shows unemployment rates in the United States in recent years.

A graph titled U S Unemployment Rates from 2006 to 2012 has year on the x-axis and Unemployment rate on the y-axis, from 0 to 12 in increments of 2. In 2006 the unemployment rate was 5 percent, in 2007 4 percent, in 2008 4 percent, in 2009 6 percent, in 2010 10 percent, in 2011 9 percent, and in 2012 9.5 percent.

Which statement is the most accurate explanation of the information on the graph?

Unemployment rates rise and fall in predictable patterns.
Unemployment will never again be as high as it was in 2010.
The United States suffered an economic downturn starting in 2009.
The United States does not have to worry about unemployment.

Answer 1

"The United States suffered an economic downturn starting in 2009."

Explanation: the graph shows a marked increase in unemployment beginning around 2008–2009 (from about 4% to 6% in 2009 and peaking near 10% in 2010), which is consistent with an economic downturn. The other statements make unsupported predictions or generalizations.