Upward Trend in Average Prices

Steps:

• Examine price data for each year in the period.
• Compare consecutive years to identify changes.
• Confirm consistent increases without declines.
• Verify no peaks or drops contradict the pattern.

Why C is correct:

• Sequential year-over-year comparisons show positive increments, aligning with the definition of a rising trend.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Data indicates rises, not falls, throughout.
• B: No peak in 2000; increases continued beyond.
• D: 2014 prices exceeded 2010 levels due to ongoing rises.

Final answer: C