44. Which of the following best describes the function of the highlighted sentence in the context of the passage as whole? (A)It hypothesizes a phenomenon that might explain a point made in the preceding sentence. (B) It provides evidence that undermines that assertion made in the first sentence. (C) It offers a projection regarding the development of a trend mentioned earlier in the passage. (D)It presents in interpretation of a discrepancy noted earlier in the passage. (E)一律給分