Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

According to government statistics released last year, despite a ramp up in its efforts to curb population growth, the number of new births reported has increased by 3.8%.

despite a ramp up in its efforts to curb population growth, the number of new births reported has increased by 3.8%

despite a ramp up in the government's efforts to curb population growth, the number of new births reported has increased by 3.8%

despite a ramp up in its efforts to curb population growth, the number of new births reported increased by 3.8%

despite a ramp up in the government's efforts to curb population growth, the number of new births reported increased by 3.8%

the number of new births reported went up by 3.8% despite the government ramping up its efforts to curb population growth