Question

scientists study atmospheric conditions recorded in ice core samples from antarctica. data from the ice core samples show changes in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (co₂) and average global temperatures in degrees celsius (°c) over time, as shown in the graph.
ice core sample data
graph of ice core sample data with age (years before present) on the x - axis, and two y - axes for temperature change and carbon dioxide change, and a key differentiating temperature change and carbon dioxide change lines
source information below the graph
which conclusion is supported by the data shown in the graph?
a decrease in the average global temperature causes carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to stabilize.
an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes the average global temperature to decrease.
an increase in average global temperature corresponds to a decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere corresponds to an increase in the average global temperature.

Explanation:

To determine the correct conclusion, we analyze the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration and average global temperature from the ice core data graph.

• Option A: The graph shows fluctuations, not stabilization of CO₂ with temperature decrease, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: An increase in CO₂ typically correlates with warming (not cooling) based on scientific knowledge and the graph’s trend, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: The graph does not show temperature increase corresponding to CO₂ decrease; in fact, the trends are generally positively correlated, so C is incorrect.
• Option D (the last option, though text is cut off but logically, from climate science, CO₂ and temperature trends in ice cores show that as CO₂ increases, temperature tends to increase, so the conclusion that an increase in atmospheric CO₂ corresponds to an increase in average global temperature is supported by the data’s trend and scientific understanding of the greenhouse effect.

Answer:

The correct option (assuming the last option is "An increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere corresponds to an increase in the average global temperature"): The option stating "An increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere corresponds to an increase in the average global temperature" (exact identifier and text depend on the original, but logically this is the correct conclusion from ice core data showing CO₂ - temperature correlation).