Use the paragraph from a speaker's 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 speaker presents the claim that owning a pet has many health benefits for both children and adults, such as reducing the number of trips to the doctor for older adults and combatting loneliness and depression. The speaker provides relevant evidence to support the claim by citing a study that shows pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer trips to their doctors than those without pets. Additionally, the speaker mentions how owning a pet can motivate people to exercise, socialize more, and overall feel good, providing sufficient evidence to support the claim that pets can have a positive impact on health.