Question

the students make the following claim: \farmers had to reduce the number of km² of crops irrigated in 2017 due to a lack of water.\ based on the data in the table, which statement best supports this claim? a the water shortage in san joaquin was about twice the water shortage in sacramento, and both regions had a large decrease in the number of km² irrigated. b even though there was a water shortage in the central coast region, most of the area of farmland was still irrigated. c the region with the largest water shortage also had the greatest reduction in number of km² irrigated. d the larger the water shortage, the smaller the decrease in the area of farmland irrigated.

Explanation:

The claim is that farmers reduced the number of square - kilometers of crops irrigated due to water lack. Option C directly links the largest water shortage with the greatest reduction in irrigated area, which best supports the claim. Option A only compares water shortages between two regions without emphasizing the relationship with the reduction in irrigated area as strongly as C. Option B shows that despite water shortage, most area was still irrigated, which doesn't support the claim of reduction. Option D presents a reverse relationship that doesn't support the claim.

Answer:

C. The region with the largest water shortage also had the greatest reduction in number of km² irrigated.