Question

A student is developing a claim about federal funding for public libraries. Which of these claims is fair?(1 point)
Responses

Everybody seems to think that libraries are dying, but it’s not true because they’re being used more than ever, and this is why they need increased federal funding.
Everybody seems to think that libraries are dying, but it’s not true because they’re being used more than ever, and this is why they need increased federal funding.

The average annual operating expenses for a library in the United States is $765,715, which has increased significantly in the last ten years.
The average annual operating expenses for a library in the United States is $765,715, which has increased significantly in the last ten years.

People in our community don’t use our public library as much as they should because the equipment is old and there is no money to replace it.
People in our community don’t use our public library as much as they should because the equipment is old and there is no money to replace it.

With increased federal funding, libraries in the United States can continue to support the needs of millions of people and their communities.
With increased federal funding, libraries in the United States can continue to support the needs of millions of people and their communities.

Answer 1

The second claim: "The average annual operating expenses for a library in the United States is $765,715, which has increased significantly in the last ten years."

Why: it is a specific, testable factual claim (clear numbers and a trend) that can be verified with data. The others either overgeneralize, assert causal links without evidence, or rely on subjective language (e.g., "everybody," "as much as they should," or broad policy assumptions).