Question

read the paragraph.

the schoolwide food drive is an important program that helps the community and instills a sense of responsibility in students. last year, students collected over 600 canned goods and gave them to the neighborhood house food pantry, which serves some of the neediest families in our community. furthermore, many students said that helping with the drive was the first volunteer program they had ever participated in. finally, without the student councils support, the food drive will not be officially promoted within school and will likely languish. therefore, it is imperative that the student council continue to encourage students to volunteer for this important program.

what answer makes the best additional evidence to support the authors reason?

• a poll of one hundred students found that after participating in the food drive, seventy-three participants found the experience so rewarding that they sought out new volunteer opportunities.
• my friend alvin participated in the food drive and said not only was it the best part of the school year, but he looks forward to helping out with the food drive next year.
• we can definitely beat our previous goal of six hundred cans by both encouraging additional students to join the program and offering prizes for students who collect the most cans.
• the student council needs to take a leadership role and promote the food drive so that all students, regardless of their previous volunteer experience.

Explanation:

Identify the author's reason

The author's primary reason is that the schoolwide food drive "helps the community and instills a sense of responsibility in students."

Evaluate the options for strong evidence

• Option 1 provides quantitative, objective data (a poll of 100 students showing 73% found it rewarding and sought new volunteer opportunities) directly supporting the claim that the drive instills responsibility and encourages volunteering.
• Option 2 relies on weak, anecdotal evidence about a single friend (Alvin).
• Option 3 focuses on goal-setting and prizes rather than supporting the core reason.
• Option 4 restates a recommendation rather than providing supporting evidence.

Select the best evidence

The first option is the strongest because it uses a representative sample size to provide objective, factual evidence directly linked to the author's claim.

Answer:

• (A) A poll of one hundred students found that after participating in the food drive, seventy-three participants found the experience so rewarding that they sought out new volunteer opportunities. (Correct answer)
• (B) My friend Alvin participated in the food drive and said not only was it the best part of the school year, but he looks forward to helping out with the food drive next year.
• (C) We can definitely beat our previous goal of six hundred cans by both encouraging additional students to join the program and offering prizes for students who collect the most cans.
• (D) The student council needs to take a leadership role and promote the food drive so that all students, regardless of their previous volunteer experience.