Question

read the text.
common cents
1 since 1793, the american penny has been minted and circulated as a one-cent piece of currency in the united states. the first penny was designed by benjamin franklin, one of the nations founding fathers and the man credited with the phrase \a penny saved is a penny earned.\ the appearance of the penny has evolved over time, but for ages it has stood out from other coins due to its copper color and low value. today, some believe the penny is a nuisance that should be eliminated from circulation and no longer minted. however, the penny has more worth than some realize, and it should remain in use.
what is the authors main claim or argument?
the penny should be kept in circulation, but only for certain specific purposes.
we should continue to mint the penny, but its design should be updated.
the penny is surprisingly important in the u.s., so it should remain in use.

Explanation:

The text states that while some think the penny is a nuisance, it has more worth than realized and should remain in use. The first option adds "only for certain specific purposes" which isn't in the text. The second option mentions updating the design, which the text doesn't discuss. The third option matches the author's argument that the penny is important and should stay in use.

Answer:

The penny is surprisingly important in the U.S., so it should remain in use.