Question

Railroads are capable of moving both passengers and freight across the city, state,
or country. America, however, mainly uses railways for freight transportation, despite the
fact that commuters critically need a viable mass transit option. Commuters on trains will
typically have shorter travel times than they would in their cars. Furthermore, the low cost
of operating and maintaining passenger trains translates into lower fares for riders. In
addition, trains today have a relatively small carbon footprint, making them a much
smarter option than automobiles. We need more passenger trains because they are
efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly.

What weakens the credibility of this argument?

1

2

3

The author relies on an emotional appeal, which is a sign of an opinion
rather than a fact.

It does not offer any sources or evidence to support the main claim or the
details.

Most readers have never ridden on or even been near trains and thus
cannot judge the argument's credibility.

Answer 1

Answers 1 and 2 weaken the argument; 3 does not.

- 1 (emotional appeal): The author uses charged phrases (“critically need,” “much smarter option”), which suggests bias and opinion rather than neutral, evidence‑based reasoning — this undermines credibility.
- 2 (no sources/evidence): The piece makes factual claims (shorter travel times, lower operating costs, smaller carbon footprint) without data or citations. That lack of supporting evidence is a clear and serious weakness.
- 3 (readers’ experience): Irrelevant — whether readers have ridden trains says nothing about the argument’s truth. Also the claim that “most readers” lack any exposure to trains is dubious.