Question
The Pony Express, launched in 1860, is often remembered as a bold and exciting chapter in American history. Riders galloped across nearly 2,000 miles of rough terrain, carrying mail from Missouri to California in just ten days. While it may seem heroic, the Pony Express was ultimately a short-lived and costly venture. Given the dangers, expenses, and limited long-term impact, some argue that the Pony Express was not worth the effort.
Riders faced extreme weather, rugged landscapes, and threats from bandits and wild animals. Operating the service required hundreds of horses and support stations, making it expensive and difficult to maintain. Within 18 months, the invention of the transcontinental telegraph made the service obsolete. Although it captured the imagination of Americans, the Pony Express contributed little to long-term communication systems.
Still, defenders of the Pony Express claim it played a symbolic role in uniting the country during a time of expansion. It demonstrated the nation’s determination to stay connected, even across great distances. But when viewed critically, the cost and short lifespan of the service suggest that the Pony Express may have been more legendary than truly effective.
Excerpt from the passage
Argument Technique
A. “Given the dangers, expenses, and limited long-term impact, some argue that the Pony Express was not worth...”
B. “Riders faced extreme weather, rugged landscapes, and threats from bandits…”
C. Still, defenders of the Pony Express claim it played a symbolic role...”
D."But when viewed critically, the cost and short lifespan… suggest it may have been more legendary…”
1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion
2. Supporting evidence
Riders faced extreme weather, rugged landscapes, and threats from bandits and wild animals. Operating the service required hundreds of horses and support stations, making it expensive and difficult to maintain. Within 18 months, the invention of the transcontinental telegraph made the service obsolete. Although it captured the imagination of Americans, the Pony Express contributed little to long-term communication systems.
Still, defenders of the Pony Express claim it played a symbolic role in uniting the country during a time of expansion. It demonstrated the nation’s determination to stay connected, even across great distances. But when viewed critically, the cost and short lifespan of the service suggest that the Pony Express may have been more legendary than truly effective.
Excerpt from the passage
Argument Technique
A. “Given the dangers, expenses, and limited long-term impact, some argue that the Pony Express was not worth...”
B. “Riders faced extreme weather, rugged landscapes, and threats from bandits…”
C. Still, defenders of the Pony Express claim it played a symbolic role...”
D."But when viewed critically, the cost and short lifespan… suggest it may have been more legendary…”
1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion
2. Supporting evidence
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here’s how the argument techniques in the excerpt could be matched to their respective categories:
A. “Given the dangers, expenses, and limited long-term impact, some argue that the Pony Express was not worth…”
- **1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion**: This statement sets up the main counterargument against the Pony Express, setting a critical tone.
B. “Riders faced extreme weather, rugged landscapes, and threats from bandits…”
- **2. Supporting evidence**: This provides specific details that support the argument about the dangers and challenges faced by the Pony Express riders, highlighting the difficulties of the service.
C. “Still, defenders of the Pony Express claim it played a symbolic role…”
- **1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion**: This introduces an opposing viewpoint, suggesting that despite the criticism, there are those who see value in the Pony Express from a symbolic perspective.
D. "But when viewed critically, the cost and short lifespan… suggest it may have been more legendary…”
- **1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion**: This sentence reinforces the critique of the Pony Express, concluding that its legendary status may overshadow its true effectiveness.
In summary:
- A: 1
- B: 2
- C: 1
- D: 1
A. “Given the dangers, expenses, and limited long-term impact, some argue that the Pony Express was not worth…”
- **1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion**: This statement sets up the main counterargument against the Pony Express, setting a critical tone.
B. “Riders faced extreme weather, rugged landscapes, and threats from bandits…”
- **2. Supporting evidence**: This provides specific details that support the argument about the dangers and challenges faced by the Pony Express riders, highlighting the difficulties of the service.
C. “Still, defenders of the Pony Express claim it played a symbolic role…”
- **1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion**: This introduces an opposing viewpoint, suggesting that despite the criticism, there are those who see value in the Pony Express from a symbolic perspective.
D. "But when viewed critically, the cost and short lifespan… suggest it may have been more legendary…”
- **1. Rebuttal/ Conclusion**: This sentence reinforces the critique of the Pony Express, concluding that its legendary status may overshadow its true effectiveness.
In summary:
- A: 1
- B: 2
- C: 1
- D: 1