There are far fewer children available for adoption than there are people who want to adopt. Two million couples are currently waiting to adopt, but in 1982, the last year for which figures exist, there were only some 50,000 adoptions.
Which of the following statements, if true, most strengthens the author’s claim that there are far fewer children available for adoption than there are people who want to adopt?
(A) The number of couples waiting to adopt has increased significantly in the last decade. -# of couples might have increased, but we still don't know about the # of children ready to be adopted.
(B) The number of adoptions in the current year is greater than the number of adoptions in any preceding year. -we still don't know about the # of children ready to be adopted.
(C) The number of adoptions in a year is approximately equal to the number of children available for adoption in that period. -Correct. If the last year there were 50,000 adoptions, then there were appx. 50,000 children to be adopted. As per the premise, this option satisfies our criteria.
(D) People who seek to adopt children often go through a long process of interviews and investigation by adoption agencies. -We are not worried about the process.
(E) People who seek to adopt children generally make very good parents. -We are not worried about the quality of parents.