A variable that explains or causes change to another variable is called a(n) _______ variable.

A) independent
B) dependent
C) response

An independent variable is a variable that can be manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effect on another variable, which is called the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed and changes in response to the independent variable. The term "response variable" is also sometimes used interchangeably with the dependent variable. However, the most appropriate answer in this context is independent variable.