Garret read the following paragraph during his research on airplane travel. (1) Airplane travel has increased significantly in the past decades. (2) More than three-quarters of all domestic flights are taken for leisure purposes. (3) The money spent on all airplane travel, both domestic and international, totaled over 600 billion dollars in 2013. (4) Unlike in the past when airplane travel was very costly, most Americans consider airplane travel a viable option when they are planning a trip.

How is the author’s purpose conveyed in the passage?

A.
The author uses the first sentence to inform readers of the central idea that people travel by airplanes more now than in the past.
B.
The author uses the second sentence to entertain readers by describing various leisure opportunities.
C.
The author uses the third sentence to entertain readers by including a shocking fact about the total amount spent on airplane travel.
D.
The author uses the fourth sentence to persuade readers to travel by airplane on their next vacation.