The Release of CO₂ by Human Industry Has/is ________ the Rate

Question

The release of CO₂ by human industry has/is ________ the rate of CO₂ fixation globally.
A) equal to
B) tripled
C) outpaced
D) far less than
E) decreased

Accepted Answer

"Outpaced" means to exceed or exceed the pace of something else. Thus, the statement means that human industry is releasing CO2 at a faster rate than the natural process of CO2 fixation, which is consistent with the scientific understanding of climate change.