Appropriate Evidence to Support a Claim Practice Test

Read the passage and answer the question.

With droughts becoming more frequent in many regions, some cities are considering restrictions on ornamental lawns. Supporters argue that turf grass wastes water and offers little ecological value. Opponents argue that lawn restrictions limit personal choice and could reduce property values.

Cities should incentivize replacing lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping. This approach respects homeowners’ autonomy while steering neighborhoods toward sustainability. Rebates, free design templates, and native-plant starter kits can make the transition practical rather than punitive.

Paragraph 3: Reducing lawn irrigation can significantly cut residential water use. In many households, outdoor watering is a major portion of summer consumption, and drought-tolerant yards need far less. My neighbor replaced her lawn with gravel and says her water bill is “way lower” now. If more residents followed suit, the city could reduce strain on its water supply.

Incentives are not a cure-all, but they align individual savings with community resilience. When the next dry summer arrives, the city will be glad it acted early.

Which evidence would most effectively support the claim in paragraph 3?

Read the following AP English Language–style argumentative passage and answer the question.

A community college is debating whether to make the first year tuition-free for residents, funded by a small increase in local sales tax. Supporters say it would expand opportunity; opponents say it would be too expensive.

(1) A tuition-free first year would be a practical investment in the region’s workforce. The local economy needs nurses, electricians, and technicians, and community colleges train for those roles faster than four-year institutions.

(2) The policy would also reduce the “stop-out” problem: students who begin college but leave because one unexpected cost derails them. When students can complete at least a year, they are more likely to earn a credential that raises lifetime earnings.

(3) Critics focus on the tax increase, but the cost should be weighed against the benefits. My uncle says he would have gone to college if it had been cheaper, and he still regrets missing that chance. A free first year would send a clear message that education is a public good, not a luxury.

(4) If the region wants to attract employers, it must show it can supply skilled workers. Making the first year tuition-free is not charity; it is economic strategy.

Replacement: Which evidence would most effectively support the claim in paragraph 3?