Let us examine the given statements:
1. Over the interval [-2.5, 0.5], the local maximum is 2.
    TRUE
2. As the x-values go to positive infinity, the function's values go to 
    negative infinity.
    The opposite happens.
    FALSE
3. The function is decreasing over the interval (-1, 0.75).
    The function decreases in (-1, 0), but it increases in (0, 0.75).
    FALSE
4. The function is negative for the interval [-2, 0].
    The function is positive in [-2, -1). It is negative only in (-1, 0].
    FALSE