The population has _______ from 1.2 million to 1.8 million.
A:dropped
B:increased
C:checked
“进士科始于隋大业中,盛于贞观、永徽之际。缙绅(有官职或做过官的人)虽位极人臣,不由进士者,终不为美。”对该材料理解正确的是( )