The best claim for an argumentative essay is the second choice: <span>It may seem like school athletics are a distraction from academics. However, because team sports reinforce important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management, they are an essential part of the middle- and high-school experience. This is the correct answer because it is the only option which poses a question, and gives arguments why that may not be so. The other options are just one sided. </span>