Question

regina is writing an argument against adding fluoride to the citys drinking water. which statement best introduces the topic?

the food and drug administration stated in 2000 that fluoride is a drug subject to regulation when it is \used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animal\ and, therefore, deserves careful attention as we consider adding it to our water supply.

even the food and drug administration would agree that we are flooded with toxins, so we should carefully consider the facts before adding more fluoride to our drinking water.

because the food and drug administration has stated in 2000 that fluoride is a drug subject to regulation when it is \used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animal,\ we would be pathetically misguided to put it in our water supply.

adding a known drug to our drinking water is not responsible, and a lot of people agree with me on this issue; even the food and drug administration has admitted that fluoride is a drug subject to regulation.

Explanation:

Analyze the prompt and objective

The writer is drafting an argument against adding fluoride to the city's drinking water. The goal is to find the statement that best introduces this topic objectively and professionally.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: Uses a credible source (FDA definition) to establish a formal, logical foundation for the argument without using overly emotional language.
• Option 2: Uses informal, hyperbolic language ("flooded with toxins") and is cut off, making it less suitable for a formal introduction.
• Option 3: Uses highly emotional and biased language ("pathetically misguided"), which undermines academic credibility.
• Option 4: Uses informal, subjective phrasing ("a lot of people agree with me") and lacks a professional tone.

Select the best introductory statement

Option 1 is the most objective, credible, and well-structured introduction for a formal argumentative essay.

Answer:

• (A) The Food and Drug Administration stated in 2000 that fluoride is a drug subject to regulation when it is "used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animal" and, therefore, deserves careful attention as we consider adding it to our water supply. (Correct answer)
• (B) Even the Food and Drug Administration would agree that we are flooded with toxins... carefully consider the facts before adding more fluoride to our drinking water.
• (C) Because the Food and Drug Administration has stated in 2000 that fluoride is a drug subject to regulation when it is "used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or animal," we would be pathetically misguided to put it in our water supply.
• (D) Adding a known drug to our drinking water is not responsible, and a lot of people agree with me on this issue; even the Food and Drug Administration has admitted that fluoride is a drug subject to regulation.