1. The problem asks whether the expected correlation coefficient between ARC (%) and average access to basic water services is closer to +0.5 than to -1 based on the scatter plot description. 2. The correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 (perfect negative correlation) to +1 (perfect positive correlation). 3. The scatter plot shows a positive slope trend line, indicating a positive correlation between ARC (%) and average access to basic water services. 4. Since the trend line has a positive slope, the correlation coefficient must be positive, so it cannot be closer to -1 (which indicates a strong negative correlation). 5. The question asks if the correlation is closer to +0.5 than -1. Given the positive slope and moderate spread, it is reasonable to expect a correlation coefficient closer to +0.5. 6. Therefore, the statement is True.