Cumulative Price Increases from Positive Inflation

Steps:

• CPI % change measures annual inflation from the prior year; positive values indicate rising prices.
• 2016's 8.3% means prices rose from 2015 levels.
• 2017's 6.0% means prices rose further from 2016 levels.
• 2018's 1.0% means prices rose again from 2017 levels, reaching the highest point.

Why D is correct:

• All positive inflation rates cause cumulative price increases, so the general level of consumer prices peaks in 2018, the latest year shown.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: All rates are positive, so prices rose overall, not fell.
• B: Both 2016 and 2017 rates are positive, so prices rose, not fell.
• C: Prices increased each year after 2015, so 2015 was the lowest, not highest.

Final answer: D