Evidence & Reasoning

Find evidence that best supports the claim:

Dogs make good pets.

• Cats are obnoxious.

• When people pet dogs, their brains release a chemical called oxytocin, which reduces anxiety.

• The chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world.

• My dog's name is Patrick.

Answer explanation

This answer shows that having dogs as pets would reduce stress. This makes them good pets.

Find the evidence that best supports the claim:

People should eat apples.

• My mom really likes apples.

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• Apples have a lot of vitamin C.

• Apple was created by Steve Jobs in 1976.

Answer explanation

This answer explains the health benefits of eating apples.

Find the evidence that best supports the claim:

Look twice before crossing the street.

• Over 6,000 pedestrians are killed in car accidents each year.

• Wait for the "walk" sign to come on when at a crosswalk.

• One time I crossed the street without looking.

• There aren't any crosswalks in my neighborhood, because I live in the country.

Answer explanation

This fact shows that being careful when around cars is important because you can get hurt.

Find the evidence that best supports the claim:

Success takes dedication.

• You have to work hard to get what you want.

• Don't drop out of school.

• Almost 15,000 people experience homelessness in Oregon.

• Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."

Answer explanation

This quote supports the claim and is valuable evidence because it comes from a reputable (trustworthy) source - an inventor.

Find the evidence that best supports the claim:

Too much junk food is bad for you.

• My favorite junk food is Oreos.

• You need to eat fruit and vegetables to have a balanced diet.

• Eating fast food once a week can increase your chance of heart disease by 20%.

• The average soda drinker has 2.6 glasses a day.

Answer explanation

This statistic supports the claim by explaining one risk of eating too much junk food.

Pick the reason that best explains the evidence:

Claim: Dogs make good pets.

Evidence: When people pet dogs, their brains release a chemical called oxytocin.

• Oxytocin is also increased when people spend time with friends, meditate, or listen to music.

• Oxytocin reduces anxiety, so having dogs as pets makes people less stressed.

• Dogs are great with small children.

• My dog is kind of annoying, but I still love him.

Answer explanation

This answer shows how the evidence directly backs up or supports the claim.

Pick the reason that best explains the evidence:

Claim: People should eat apples.

Evidence: Apples have a lot of vitamin C.

• Vitamin C is important for people because it helps bones, skin, and the immune system stay strong and healthy.

• Apples taste really good with caramel.

• Apples contain 8.4 milligrams of vitamin C, or 14% of the recommended daily amount.

• Apples have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Answer explanation

This reasoning shows that vitamin C, which is found in apples, is important for people to incorporate in their diet because of the benefits.

Pick the reason that best explains the evidence:

Claim: Look twice before crossing the street.

Evidence: In America, over 6,000 pedestrians are killed in car accidents each year.

• Pedestrian means "a person walking along a road or in a developed area."

• 2020 saw a 4.8% increase in pedestrian deaths from the previous year.

• One time I crossed the street without looking and I was fine.

• This shows that roads can be a dangerous place and it is important to be careful.

Answer explanation

This reasoning explains how the evidence supports the claim.

Pick the reason that best explains the evidence:

Claim: Success takes dedication.

Evidence: Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."

• Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb, phonograph, and the kinetograph-an early movie camera.

• Thomas Edison was an inventor who had to work hard before he was successful, so his words come from personal experience.

• My grandfather was an immigrant who worked hard and became a successful small business owner.

• You fail 100% of things you don't try.

Answer explanation

This is the best answer because it explains why the reader should pay attention or believe Thomas Edison's words.

Pick the reason that best explains the evidence:

Claim: Too much junk food is bad for you.

Evidence: Eating fast food once a week can increase your chance of heart disease by 20%.

• Americans on average eat three times more sugar than is recommended.

• In the US, someone dies from heart disease every 36 seconds.

• Fast food, like other junk food, is high in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

• This means you shouldn't eat fast food.

Answer explanation

This one was kind of tricky, but it's the best answer because it explains the evidence and connects it to the claim of "junk food."