Question

look at the graph. what is the independent variable?
plants for sun and shade
bar graph with x - axis: sun exposure (full sun, partial sun, partial shade, dappled sun, full shade); y - axis: growth rate; legend: geranium, impatiens, fuchsia, trillium
options (paraphrased): growth rate, plants for sun and shade, plant type, sun exposure

Explanation:

To determine the independent variable, we recall that the independent variable is the one that is manipulated or is the cause, and it's typically on the x - axis in a graph. In this bar graph, the x - axis is labeled "Sun Exposure" (with categories like Full Sun, Partial Sun, etc.). The dependent variable (Growth Rate) depends on the independent variable. Plant Type is a variable represented by different bar colors, but it's not the main independent variable here as the graph is about how sun exposure affects growth. "Plants for Sun and Shade" is the title, not a variable. Growth Rate is the dependent variable. So the independent variable is Sun Exposure.

Answer:

Sun Exposure (assuming the last option in the multiple - choice is "Sun Exposure", with the option identifier as per the original question, e.g., if the options are A. Growth Rate, B. Plants for Sun and Shade, C. Plant Type, D. Sun Exposure, then the answer is D. Sun Exposure)