A student is writing an article about safety in high school athletics. Read the draft of the article and complete the task that follows.

Question

Just how safe are high school athletics? Critics would argue that most sports are highly dangerous to those teens who participate in them. Recently football has been the most closely scrutinized. The dangers of the high school gridiron are many: head injuries, knee injuries, and heat exhaustion. It seems as if every year more studies are released implicating the immediate and long-term effects of this highly physical sport. Football, however, is not the only sport that has drawn attention. Any sport that involves contact (basketball, hockey, lacrosse) can leave its players vulnerable to injury. The question then becomes: what is being done to prevent these injuries?

Steps are being taken to reduce the most serious complications of all sports. One way that these issues are being addressed is through the development of new equipment. Another way is through more stringent rules that govern practices as well as game time situations. Most importantly, educating players, coaches, and parents to the real dangers of athletics has taken a new priority. Through education, regulations, and equipment, high school sports can continue to be a source of entertainment, not danger.

Select the two sentences that provide the best evidence to support the main idea of the paper.

(1 point)
Responses

It has been estimated that nearly half of all high school students participate in athletics on some level.
It has been estimated that nearly half of all high school students participate in athletics on some level.

This school district reports that each high school has a minimum of five varsity sports; this number does not include junior varsity or community leagues.
This school district reports that each high school has a minimum of five varsity sports; this number does not include junior varsity or community leagues.

Bob Jones, Southern High's athletic director, added this comment: "We had a very successful season; injuries did not play a measurable role in our record."
Bob Jones, Southern High's athletic director, added this comment: "We had a very successful season; injuries did not play a measurable role in our record."

District wide data indicates that students are injured on school property at a relatively low rate; last year only thirty-three accidents were reported that resulted in student injury.
District wide data indicates that students are injured on school property at a relatively low rate; last year only thirty-three accidents were reported that resulted in student injury.

One of the most visible educational campaigns has been launched by the National Football League (NFL); it is entitled "Heads Up" and trains coaches and student athletes on techniques to avoid head injuries.
One of the most visible educational campaigns has been launched by the National Football League (NFL); it is entitled "Heads Up" and trains coaches and student athletes on techniques to avoid head injuries.

In a 2010 study, American University found that close to 80 percent of high school athletes had reported injuries during their athletic careers; approximately 25 percent of these injuries were considered serious.

Answer 1

The two sentences that provide the best evidence to support the main idea of the paper are:

1. "One of the most visible educational campaigns has been launched by the National Football League (NFL); it is entitled 'Heads Up' and trains coaches and student athletes on techniques to avoid head injuries."

2. "In a 2010 study, American University found that close to 80 percent of high school athletes had reported injuries during their athletic careers; approximately 25 percent of these injuries were considered serious."