The data contained in the chart above most clearly reflects which of the following environmental developments?

(A) Global warming (B) Fossil-fuel extraction (C) Industrialization in the less-developed world (D) Large-scale resource consumptionExplanation: (D) This question tests interpretation. All the answers provided at least somewhat related to the phenomenon measured by the chart. However, the phrase “most clearly” indicates that you should look for what can be safely concluded from information contained only in the chart. The link with global warming, while considered real by the vast majority of scientists, is not spoken of openly by the chart, and while the energy consumed is undoubtedly based in large part on fossil fuels, the chart likewise does not specify energy type. The nations are a mix of developed and less-developed, so C is an even weaker choice. Resource consumption, a key environmental trend, is the main subject of the chart.