Use the paragraph from a speakers argument to answer the questions.

Question

You have probably heard the saying that a dog is a man's best friend. But have you ever stopped to consider why? There are many health benefits from owning a pet for both children and adults alike. For instance, pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer trips to their doctors than those without pets. This might be because owning a pet tends to make people feel good. Dogs provide loyal companionship, which can help combat loneliness and depression in older adults. Also, owning a pet can motivate a person to get outside and exercise and even socialize more with other pet owners.

In three to five sentences, state the claim the speaker presents in the argument. Explain if the speaker provides relevant evidence to support the claim and sufficient evidence in the argument.

Answer 1

The claim presented by the speaker is that owning a pet has numerous health benefits for both children and adults, including reducing doctor visits for older adults, combating loneliness and depression, and promoting physical activity and socialization. The speaker provides relevant evidence to support this claim, such as the statistic that pet owners over age 65 make 30% fewer trips to their doctors. Additionally, the speaker mentions the emotional benefits of pets providing companionship and motivation for exercise and socializing. Overall, the speaker provides sufficient evidence in the argument to back up the claim that owning a pet has positive effects on one's health and well-being.