Passage
Advocates for urban development often debate the necessity of public parks. Dr. Ronald Vance, a leading urban ecologist, argues that urban green spaces are vital for resident well-being, pointing to a citywide survey where 85% of respondents reported lower stress levels after visiting a park. Conversely, developer Sarah Jenkins claims parks are a waste of space, citing her personal belief that residents prefer shopping centers. Lastly, the City Planning Board report states that green spaces reduce municipal cooling costs by 10%, a figure drawn from temperature data collected over five years.
Based on the passage, match each presenter's claim with the description that best evaluates its strength or credibility.
- Sarah Jenkins's claim that parks are a waste of space because residents prefer shopping centers.Weak credibility, as it relies on personal belief rather than objective evidence.
- Dr. Ronald Vance's claim that urban green spaces are vital for resident well-being.Moderate to strong credibility, supported by a quantitative survey of city residents.
- The City Planning Board's statement that green spaces reduce municipal cooling costs.High credibility, supported by long-term scientific data collected over five years.
Answer
Sarah Jenkins's claim matches with the description of weak credibility based on personal belief; Dr. Ronald Vance's claim matches with the description of moderate to strong credibility supported by a quantitative survey; the City Planning Board's statement matches with the description of high credibility supported by long-term scientific data.
The correct matches align each presenter's claim with the specific nature and quality of the supporting evidence: Jenkins relies on personal belief (weakest), Dr. Vance relies on a regional survey of subjective feelings (moderately strong), and the City Planning Board relies on longitudinal physical measurements (strongest).
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Evaluating argument strength involves distinguishing between subjective claims (based on personal opinion or belief) and objective arguments backed by empirical data, surveys, or long-term studies.