Question

Prices at the producer level are only 1.3 percent higher now than a year ago and are going down, even though floods in the Midwest and drought in the South are hurting crops and therefore raised corn and soybean prices.

A. Than a year ago and are going down, even though floods in the Midwest and drought in the South are hurting crops and therefore raised
B. Than those a year ago and are going down, even though floods in the Midwest and drought in the South are hurting crops and therefore raising
C. Than a year ago and are going down, despite floods in the Midwest and drought in the South, and are hurting crops and therefore raising
D. As those of a year ago and are going down, even though floods in the Midwest and drought in the South hurt crops and therefore raise
E. As they were a year ago and are going down, despite floods in the Midwest and drought in the South, and are hurting crops and therefore raising

Answer 1

The prices at the producer level are higher compared to B)those of a year ago and are going down, despite the adverse effects of floods and drought on crops, which have led to a rise in corn and soybean prices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B. Than those a year ago and are going down, even though floods in the Midwest and drought in the South are hurting crops and therefore raising.

The sentence is discussing the prices at the producer level, which are higher compared to those of a year ago. The prices are going down, despite the adverse effects of floods and drought on the crops, which have led to a rise in corn and soybean prices.

Therefore, option B uses the correct verb tense and the appropriate verb form ('raising') to accurately convey the cause-effect relationship between the floods/drought and the price increase.