Definition of «to explain the decline»

The phrase "to explain the decline" means to give reasons or provide an explanation for why something or someone has decreased or become worse.

Changes in the composition of the test - taking pool don't explain the decline in test scores either. (educationnext.org)
There's some truth here, but it doesn't explain the decline. (qualitycharters.org)
How else to explain the decline of the travel book in the age of globalization? (worldhum.com)
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