Based on the information from the two texts, one can infer that online “spend nothing” exchange groups provide significant benefits to local communities despite some concerns. Text 1 highlights the risks associated with personal safety and the negative impact on local secondhand stores, while Text 2 emphasizes the positive effects such as reduced requests for emergency financial assistance and the potential to support secondhand shops by directing members to them. Together, these texts show that while there are valid concerns regarding safety and local businesses, the overall impact of these exchange groups appears to be beneficial in enhancing community connections and reducing waste.
Feature
Text 1: Online spaces that allow people in local communities to gift unneeded items to one another are growing in popularity—but how do they impact our communities? Supporters of these groups explain that the lack of a middleman in this type of giving helps cut down on monetary and time costs for everyone. With just a few clicks and a quick handoff, community members can find what they need or get rid of what they don’t need—all for free. Critics of these systems explain that this kind of convenience comes with risks. One risk is personal safety, as participants might share their home addresses with strangers in order to exchange items. Additionally, the owner of a secondhand store pointed out that the rise of these groups has hurt their business and could eventually constrain their ability to serve community members who are not comfortable or knowledgeable about online groups. Regardless of the mixed impact, these groups have arrived and continue to grow in use and popularity nationwide.
Text 2: Online “spend nothing” exchange groups are a worthy addition to the community effort to cut waste and improve quality of life. Data from a recent study in the area shows a significant decrease in the number of emergency financial assistance requests to local charities since the groups were created. Although critics have concerns about the safety of participants, the harm they fear is only hypothetical; there have yet to be any actual problematic incidents linked to the group. Most groups even have rules designed to protect their members. Others have suggested these groups will harm local secondhand stores, but many of the participants are guided to such stores by group members when they post searching for items no one has on hand to gift. One might even argue that these groups help secondhand stores by spreading the word about their locations and the types of things they are likely to sell. Overall, this trend enriches the local community and helps get things that might otherwise be destined for the dump into the hands of people who can give them new life.
Question
Use the two texts to answer the question.
In 3–5 sentences, make an inference based on the two texts. Include an explanation about how the two articles work together to support your inference.
(4 points)
Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.
The answer is fully supported by details.
There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.
3
The answer is mostly clear.
The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.
There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.
2
The answer is somewhat clear.
Details are weak or not related.
There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
1
The answer is not clear.
There are few or no supporting details.
There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.
0 The question is not answered.
Skip to navigation
3 answers
rephrase and simplify
From the two texts, we can infer that online "spend nothing" exchange groups offer important benefits to local communities, even though there are some concerns. Text 1 discusses risks like personal safety and how these groups might hurt local secondhand stores. In contrast, Text 2 highlights the positive results, such as fewer emergency assistance requests and how these groups can actually help secondhand stores by guiding members to them. Together, the texts suggest that, despite some worries, these exchange groups have a mostly positive impact by strengthening community ties and reducing waste.