Answer :
Final answer:
The decline in extreme poverty from 1990 to 2017 was significant, due to economic integration and growth, particularly in East Asia. Challenges like climate change and COVID-19 threaten to reverse these gains, and poverty levels vary worldwide. Thus Option a is Correct.
Explanation:
The marked reduction of extreme poverty from 35.9 percent in 1990 to 9.3 percent in 2017 can be attributed to several factors. One notable factor is the economic integration that has spurred growth, especially in areas like East Asia, which have seen dramatic improvements in living standards. Global initiatives, including those targeting healthcare, education, and economic development, have been essential. Although technological advancements have undoubtedly played a role in enhancing communication and commerce, leading to increased productivity and better living standards, they are not explicitly cited as a 'surprise' factor in the provided materials.
Despite the significant progress, recent challenges such as climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global conflicts threaten to reverse these gains. These factors highlight the fragility of progress and the importance of sustained efforts to combat poverty.
Poverty levels also exhibit a wide variation globally, with the poverty situation in wealthier countries vastly different from that in less-industrialized nations.