Question

Difficulty: EasyFunction of Specific Details

Read the following short passage and match each specific detail to its primary rhetorical function in the author's argument.

"Many urban planners argue that cities should invest heavily in public green spaces, citing numerous benefits. For example, Central Park in New York demonstrates how a large park can significantly boost surrounding property values. Furthermore, green spaces improve public health by providing areas for exercise and reducing air pollution. In fact, trees in these parks act as natural air filters, similar to how wetlands purify water. Critics, however, point out that maintaining these spaces requires substantial municipal funds, a valid concern given recent budget shortfalls in many cities. Nevertheless, the long-term economic and health benefits ultimately outweigh these maintenance costs."

Match the cited details to their intended functions.

  • The mention of 'Central Park in New York'To offer a concrete illustration of how parks can yield economic advantages.
  • The reference to 'areas for exercise and reducing air pollution'To specify the mechanisms through which a claimed health benefit is achieved.
  • The comparison to 'how wetlands purify water'To employ an analogy that clarifies an environmental process.
  • The phrase 'recent budget shortfalls'To acknowledge the factual basis underlying a counterargument.

Answer

Central Park matches with illustrating economic advantages; exercise and pollution reduction matches with specifying health mechanisms; wetlands matches with employing an analogy; and budget shortfalls matches with acknowledging a counterargument.
Each detail serves a distinct rhetorical purpose. Central Park illustrates economic value, exercise and pollution reduction explain the mechanism of health benefits, wetlands provide an analogy for environmental filtration, and budget shortfalls ground a critic's concern in factual reality.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context around 'Central Park in New York'.
It follows 'For example' and directly precedes the claim that a large park can 'significantly boost surrounding property values.'
To determine its specific argumentative role as an economic illustration.
2
Analyze the context around 'areas for exercise and reducing air pollution'.
These phrases follow 'by providing' and explain exactly how green spaces 'improve public health.'
To identify them as the specific mechanisms for the stated health benefits.
3
Analyze the context around 'how wetlands purify water'.
It follows the phrase 'similar to', comparing trees acting as air filters to wetlands purifying water.
To recognize the explicit use of analogy to explain an environmental function.
4
Analyze the context around 'recent budget shortfalls'.
It is used to explain why the critics' concern about municipal funds is 'a valid concern.'
To see that the author is acknowledging the factual reality behind a criticism before ultimately rejecting the critics' conclusion.

Key Concept

Function of Specific Details
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