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Correlation and causation

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When artists paint more portraits, they use more paint.

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(B) When potters make more bowls, they use more clay.

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(C) When illustrators use more blue pencils, they use more green pencils.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Attending more plays is associated with attending more concerts.

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(B) Attending more sporting events is associated with buying food from concession stands more often.

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(C) Attending more music festivals is associated with taking more music lessons.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When beekeepers collect more honey, they get more bee stings.

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(B) When store owners sell more jelly, they sell more bread.

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(C) When manufacturers make more peanut butter, they use more peanuts.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Owning more horses is associated with having a larger stable.

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(B) Owning more chickens is associated with having more eggs.

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(C) Owning more goats is associated with owning more sheep.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Drinking iced coffee more often is associated with using a fan more often.

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(B) Drinking iced coffee more often is associated with consuming more caffeine.

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(C) Drinking iced coffee more often is associated with wearing shorts more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) More time spent in a library is associated with more time spent being quiet.

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(B) More time spent at a computer is associated with more time spent on the phone.

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(C) More time spent at school is associated with more time spent reading.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A)When bakers use more sugar, they use more butter.

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(B)When bakers make more cakes, they make more cookies.

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(C)When bakers make more bread, they use more flour.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When servers wait on more tables, they take more orders.

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(B) When dishwashers wash more plates, they wash more pots and pans.

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(C) When bussers clear more tables, they walk farther.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A)Grilling burgers more often is associated with grilling hot dogs more often.

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(B)Roasting vegetables more often is associated with using the oven more often.

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(C)Making pasta salad more often is associated with chopping vegetables more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Drinking hot cocoa more often is associated with washing mugs more often.

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(B) Using a fireplace more often is associated with burning wood or gas more often.

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(C) Making snow forts more often is associated with ice skating more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When the weather is sunny, people wear sunglasses more often.

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(B) When the weather is rainy, people carry umbrellas more often.

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(C) When the weather is snowy, people buy holiday gifts more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Riding a bicycle more often is associated with stronger leg muscles.

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(B) Riding a bicycle more often is associated with hiking more often.

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(C) Riding a bicycle more often is associated with wearing a helmet more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A)When illustrators use more blue pencils, they use more green pencils.

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(B)When artists paint more portraits, they use more paint.

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(C)When potters make more bowls, they use more clay.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Biking to work more often is associated with taking the bus to work more often.

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(B) Driving a longer distance to work is associated with using more gas.

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(C) Commuting a shorter distance to work is associated with having more free time.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) For a receptionist, greeting more visitors is associated with answering more phone calls.

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(B) For a librarian, interacting with more patrons is associated with answering more questions.

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(C) For a security guard, working more hours is associated with walking farther.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When a family visits the zoo more often, they spend more time at pet stores.

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(B) When a family visits the zoo more often, they see more types of animals.

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(C) When a family visits the zoo more often, they visit museums more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When roofers fix more damaged roofs, contractors fix more damaged siding.

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(B) When builders build more houses, lumber companies sell more wood.

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(C) When plumbers replace more water pipes, electricians rewire more homes.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When the weather is rainier, people see more worms.

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(B) When the weather is rainier, people stay indoors more.

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(C) When the weather is rainier, people do more gardening.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) For pizza makers, making more tomato sauce is associated with grating more cheese.

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(B) For pizza makers, mixing more dough is associated with using more flour.

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(C) For pizza makers, selling more pepperoni pizzas is associated with selling more mushroom pizzas.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Roasting vegetables more often is associated with using the oven more often.

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(B) Making pasta salad more often is associated with chopping vegetables more often.

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(C) Grilling burgers more often is associated with grilling hot dogs more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A)When a restaurant has more customers, there are more dishes to wash.

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(B)When a restaurant has more customers, there is less light outside.

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(C)When a restaurant has more customers, there are fewer empty tables.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Baking cookies more often is associated with snowier weather.

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(B) Baking cookies more often is associated with having more dishes to wash.

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(C) Baking cookies more often is associated with baking cakes more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When a chef flips more pancakes, she scrambles more eggs.

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(B) When a waitress serves more bacon, she serves more coffee.

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(C) When a hostess seats more people, she hands out more menus.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Wearing a school uniform more often is associated with waking up early more often.

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(B) Commuting a long distance more often is associated with waking up early more often.

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(C) Doing chores on a farm more often is associated with waking up early more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Washing laundry more often is associated with using more water.

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(B) Dusting the furniture more often is associated with having shinier furniture.

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(C) Vacuuming living room carpets more often is associated with having cleaner bathrooms.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Drinking more milk is associated with consuming more calcium.

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(B) Drinking more hot chocolate is associated with consuming more gingerbread.

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(C) Drinking more orange juice is associated with consuming more vitamin C.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Burning more candles is associated with having a better-smelling room.

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(B) Burning more candles is associated with having a tidier room.

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(C) Burning more candles is associated with listening to soothing music more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Frying eggs more often is associated with cooking bacon more often.

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(B) Making pancakes more often is associated with flipping pancakes more often.

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(C) Having cereal for breakfast more often is associated with having more bowls to wash.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When people brush their teeth more often, they have fewer cavities.

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(B) When people brush their teeth more often, they have better breath.

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(C) When people brush their teeth more often, they floss more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When there are more children in a city, there are more schools in the city.

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(B) When there are more shuttle buses in a town, there are more school buses in the town.

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(C) When there are more ambulances on the road, there are more fire trucks on the road.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Attending more car shows is associated with seeing more classic cars.

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(B) Attending more string quartet concerts is associated with attending more piano recitals.

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(C) Attending more magic shows is associated with reading more biographies of magicians.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) More time spent at school is associated with more time spent reading.

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(B) More time spent in a library is associated with more time spent being quiet.

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(C) More time spent at a computer is associated with more time spent on the phone.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Wearing kneepads more often is associated with having more cuts and scrapes.

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(B) Having more muscular shoulders is associated with having more muscular legs.

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(C) Playing tennis more often is associated with better hand-eye coordination.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Making snow forts more often is associated with ice skating more often.

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(B) Drinking hot cocoa more often is associated with washing mugs more often.

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(C) Using a fireplace more often is associated with burning wood or gas more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When people spend more time sleeping, they eat more chicken soup.

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(B) When people spend more time sleeping, they dream more.

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(C) When people spend more time sleeping, they spend more time lying down.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Swimming more often is associated with more muscular shoulders.

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(B) Wearing a football jersey more often is associated with throwing a football more often.

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(C) Having quicker reaction times is associated with being able to run more quickly.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A)When potters make more bowls, they use more clay.

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(B)When illustrators use more blue pencils, they use more green pencils.

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(C)When artists paint more portraits, they use more paint.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When people dance more often, they sing more often.

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(B) When people play the snare drum more often, they play the xylophone more often.

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(C) When people act in plays more often, they go to rehearsals more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When store owners sell more jelly, they sell more bread.

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(B) When manufacturers make more peanut butter, they use more peanuts.

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(C) When beekeepers collect more honey, they get more bee stings.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) For a flight attendant, spending more time on airplanes is associated with wearing a uniform more often.

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(B) For a traveler, going on a longer trip is associated with taking more luggage.

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(C) For a pilot, having more passengers is associated with crossing more time zones.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A)In months with more sunny days, families spend more time at the beach.

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(B)In months with more sunny days, children spend more time at summer camp.

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(C)In months with more sunny days, students spend fewer days in school.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) Owning more dogs is associated with owning more cats.

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(B) Owning more dogs is associated with buying more dog food.

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(C) Owning more dogs is associated with visiting the vet more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When more trees lose their leaves, people go apple picking more often.

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(B) When more trees lose their leaves, people wear sweaters more often.

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(C) When more trees lose their leaves, people use rakes more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When florists take more bouquet orders, they use more ribbon.

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(B) When florists take more bouquet orders, they cut more flowers.

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(C) When florists take more bouquet orders, they teach more flower-arranging classes.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A) When families go to the pool more often, they go to the beach more often.

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(B) When families go to the pool more often, they wash towels more often.

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(C) When families go to the pool more often, they use more sunscreen.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Owning more mugs is associated with owning more teapots.

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(B) Drinking tea more often is associated with heating water more often.

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(C) Buying more tea bags is associated with buying more honey.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects correlation but not causation?

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(A)When potters make more bowls, they use more clay.

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(B)When artists paint more portraits, they use more paint.

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(C)When illustrators use more blue pencils, they use more green pencils.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) When hairdressers give more haircuts, they sweep up more hair.

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(B) When nail technicians give more manicures, they give more pedicures.

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(C) When barbers shampoo more hair, they trim more beards.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Eating plain yogurt more often is associated with better digestive health.

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(B) Eating carrots more often is associated with drinking more carrot juice.

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(C) Eating apples more often is associated with drinking water more often.

Each of these relationships reflects a correlation. Which relationship most likely reflects both correlation and causation?

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(A) Owning more clothes is associated with owning more shoes.

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(B) Owning more dress shirts is associated with owning more hangers.

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(C) Owning more earrings is associated with owning more necklaces.