Question

read the passage.
the cost of health care is rising in america. the amount that an average family must pay for insurance has increased by 3 percent in just two years. for families buying insurance on an exchange or privately, the increase is an astounding 25 percent. at this rate, health care, which includes visits to a typical family doctor, specialists for anything from a knee injury to cancer, and the emergency room, will be unaffordable for most americans in 10 years or sooner. i know this because my family is an average american family—and we are worried.
which statement describes the claim?
○ the writer’s family is an average american family struggling to pay for health care.
○ health care will continue to rise by 3 to 25 percent each year for the next 10 years.
○ health insurance is becoming too expensive for most american families to afford.
○ the average american family is paying more for health insurance than they did before.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• First option: The passage says the writer's family is average and worried, but the main claim isn't about the family struggling (it's about the trend of cost and affordability), so this is not the claim.
• Second option: The passage states the increase rate now (3% in two years, 25% for some), but there's no prediction of 3 - 25% increase each year for next 10 years. So this is incorrect.
• Third option: The passage says "at this rate... will be unaffordable for most Americans in 10 years or sooner", but the main claim in the passage's core is about the current increase in what average families pay (the 3% and 25% increase in insurance cost) leading to future unaffordability. This option is more about future unaffordability, while the key point of the claim is the current increase in cost for average families.
• Fourth option: The passage mentions "The amount that an average family must pay for insurance has increased by 3 percent in just two years... For families buying insurance... the increase is an astounding 25 percent" and the writer's family (average) is worried. So this option correctly states that the average American family is paying more for health insurance than before.

Answer:

The average American family is paying more for health insurance than they did before.