CUnemployment （失业) rose from 7.5% in June, 1996 to 7.8% in July, 1996, the highest rate

C

Unemployment (失业) rose from 7.5% in June, 1996 to 7.8% in July, 1996, the highest rate since January of that year, the Labor Department reported. The main reason was a large increase—nearly 700,000 in the labor force, with a record 61.9% of the population over sixteen years of age working or actively looking for work.

That growth was caused mainly by an increase in the number of women in the labor force, an increase partly because of a continuation of long-term and economic trends (经济趋势)and partly a reflection of pressure on families to increase their incomes.

According to the announcement, which of the following statements is correct？

A. Unemployment in July was higher than it had been since January.

B. Unemployment rose at a steady rate from January to July.

C. Unemployment rose by about 7% from June to July.

D. Unemployment rose about 7% the first time in July.