Answer the following questions based off the two statements given:

$1.$Total depreciation expense recognized by Hershey on property, plant and equipment since the assets were acquired was $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_$ at $12/31/23.$

a$.$

$$199,608($in thousands$)$

b$.$

$$3,139,393($in thousands$)$

c$.$

$$265,604($in thousands$)$

d$.$

$$2,814,770($in thousands$)$

$2.$The amount of annual depreciation expense recognized by Hershey $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_$ from $2022$ to $2023.$

a$.$

increased

b$.$

decreased

c$.$

stayed the same