Question

read the claim and reason.

claim: our school cafeteria should offer more meatless main dishes.

reason: there are a significant number of vegetarians attending our school.

what evidence best supports the students reason?

• the results of a student survey suggest that twenty-three percent of the students consider themselves vegetarians.
• though school food is funded by state and county governments, the menu is determined by school cafeteria staff.
• salads and meatless pasta dishes add variety to school menus and provide vegetarians with possible choices.
• vegetarians rely on beans, nuts, and greek yogurt as alternate sources of protein in their diets.

Explanation:

Analyze the claim and reason

Claim: Our school cafeteria should offer more meatless main dishes.
Reason: There are a significant number of vegetarians attending our school.

Evaluate the evidence options

• Option 1: "The results of a student survey suggest that twenty-three percent of the students consider themselves vegetarians." This directly provides quantitative data supporting the reason that there is a "significant number of vegetarians" at the school.
• Option 2: Discusses funding and menu determination, which is irrelevant to the number of vegetarians.
• Option 3: Discusses variety and possible choices, which supports the claim but does not provide evidence for the specific reason (the number of vegetarians).
• Option 4: Discusses protein sources, which is general nutritional information and does not prove how many vegetarians attend the school.

Select the best supporting evidence

The first option directly supports the student's reason with specific, relevant data.

Answer:

• (A) The results of a student survey suggest that twenty-three percent of the students consider themselves vegetarians. (Correct answer)
• (B) Though school food is funded by state and county governments, the menu is determined by school cafeteria staff.
• (C) Salads and meatless pasta dishes add variety to school menus and provide vegetarians with possible choices.
• (D) Vegetarians rely on beans, nuts, and Greek yogurt as alternate sources of protein in their diets.