Imagine your friend is writing an argument to convince adults that they should allow teens to own and use smartphones. Read her
argument excerpt and answer the question that follows: Parents should allow teens to own smartphones. To not do so is just dumb in this day and age. Edudemic.com reported in 2012 that smartphone ownership was rising. Dr. Meryl Ain notes that nearly 8 out of 10 teens own a cell phone and 37 percent own a smartphone. More than 70 percent of students who own one use apps for learning and studying. Students without such a device and tools are at a disadvantage compared to their peers. Their parents obviously don't truly care about their education.
Which of the following is true about this argument excerpt?
It is respectful in tone to the audience and supports its claim with specific, credible evidence.
It contains specific, credible evidence but uses a disrespectful tone that should be revised.
It fails to support its claim with specific, credible evidence and uses a disrespectful tone.
It uses a respectful tone but needs specific, credible evidence to support the claim.
Incarceration rates have risen mainly because states are sending a much larger share of offenders to prison and keeping them there longer — two factors under policymakers' direct control. Reforms to reduce prison populations will need to target these two areas.
