Answer:
1: c) The student is qualifying the author's claim.
2: b) The student is challenging the author's claim.
Explanation:
Qualifying a Claim
It means, making a claim factually more correct, and persuading those to agree who earlier had disagreed with the claim.
The phrases<em> "Americans seem to be equally attracted" </em>and <em>"thus only partially fulfilling"</em> clearly show that the student is not challenging the author's claims nor is he defending it. But he is trying to make the claim factually correct and acceptable to those who disagreed with author's claims. Student's perspective is very clear. He has clearly conveyed his point of view.
Challenging a Claim:
As the term shows, it means to make the entire claim doubtful or clearly challenging its validity.
The phrases "just because numerous news outlets are available does not mean that Americans are interested" and "It is more likely that they are tuned into sitcoms, cartoons, and reality shows." indicate that the student is making the author's claims doubtful. He has raised a question over its validity.
The student is very clear in pointing out the flaw in author's claim.
