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.

Question

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)

Answer 1

The two texts suggest that online gifting and exchange groups positively impact local communities by reducing waste and fostering connections among residents, despite some concerns. Text 1 highlights the convenience and cost-effectiveness of these groups while also acknowledging safety risks and potential competition with secondhand stores. Text 2 counters that the fears surrounding safety are largely unfounded and presents evidence of positive community outcomes, such as reduced requests for emergency assistance and increased awareness of local secondhand stores. Together, they illustrate that, while challenges exist, the overall benefit of these groups enhances community well-being and resourcefulness.