How did the percentage of US college students who reported having sex with a friend change from the late 1980s to 2012?

How did the percentage of US college students who reported having sex with a friend change from the late 1980s to 2012?

• A. It increased from 55.7% to 71%.
• B. It decreased from 60% to 40%.
• C. It remained roughly the same around 60%.
• D. It fluctuated without a clear trend.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is recognizing how a reported behavior changes over time in survey data. The data show an upward shift, with about 55.7% of US college students in the late 1980s reporting sex with a friend, rising to about 71% by 2012. That clear increase points to a rising trend across the period, not a decline, not a stable level, and not random fluctuations. The other descriptions would imply no steady rise, but the numbers indicate a sustained upward movement over time.

The main idea being tested is recognizing how a reported behavior changes over time in survey data. The data show an upward shift, with about 55.7% of US college students in the late 1980s reporting sex with a friend, rising to about 71% by 2012. That clear increase points to a rising trend across the period, not a decline, not a stable level, and not random fluctuations. The other descriptions would imply no steady rise, but the numbers indicate a sustained upward movement over time.