A graph titled U S Unemployment Rates from 2006 to 2012 has year on the x-axis, from 2006 to 2012, and Unemployment rate on the y-axis, from 0 to 12 percent in increments of 2. In 2006 the unemployment rate was 5 percent, in 2007 4 percent, in 2008 4 percent, in 2009 6 percent, in 2010 10 percent, in 2011 9 percent, and in 2012 9.5 percent. A normal unemployment rate in the US is considered to be around 5%. According to the graph, in what years was the unemployment rate nearest to this average?

According to the graph, in what years did the US unemployment rate rise most steeply?

According to the graph, individuals would have the most difficult time finding employment during which year?