Question

read diepak’s rebuttal to the counterclaim in his essay. critics are correct in saying that the weather moves in cycles. however, that doesn’t mean that the current drought isn’t real. by the end of october 2012, sixty percent of the us was experiencing a drought. granted, that was a four percent decrease from the drought totals in september. which sentence in the rebuttal provides evidence that defends against the counterclaim? ○ critics are correct in saying that the weather moves in cycles. ○ however, that doesn’t mean that the current drought isn’t real. ○ by the end of october 2012, sixty percent of the us was experiencing a drought. ○ granted, that was a four percent decrease from the drought totals in september.

Explanation:

To determine which sentence provides evidence defending against the counterclaim, we analyze the purpose of each option. The counterclaim likely disputes the reality of the current drought (suggesting it's just part of weather cycles). The sentence "By the end of October 2012, sixty percent of the US was experiencing a drought" provides statistical evidence that a significant portion of the US was in drought, directly supporting the argument that the drought is real despite weather cycles. Other options either agree with the counterclaim's premise ("Critics are correct...") or are a concession ("Granted...") or a rebuttal statement without evidence ("However...").

Answer:

C. By the end of October 2012, sixty percent of the US was experiencing a drought.