Correct answer: CThe governing concept is a recursive rule, in which each term is obtained from the preceding term. Examine the consecutive changes in the sequence: 7 − 4 = 3, 10 − 7 = 3, and 13 − 10 = 3. Since the same difference occurs each time, the recursive rule is “add 3 to the previous term.” Applying this rule to the last known term gives 13 + 3 = 16. Therefore, option C is correct. This sequence is also an arithmetic progression with common difference 3, although the question specifically highlights the step-by-step recursive construction. Option A, 14, changes by only 1; option B, 15, changes by 2; and option D, 17, changes by 4, so none preserves the established rule.