Question

read the passage.
the salaries of athletes who take part in professional sports are well earned and well deserved. these athletes benefit more than just fans like me. in a recent survey, 92 percent of children stated that they viewed at least one athlete as a role model; 75 percent go on to state that they learn about fair play and sportsmanship from professional athletes. while not all athletes exhibit sportsmanship, most kids focus on athletes with admirable traits, since 76 percent of children surveyed agree that it is never okay to taunt an opponent.
which statement best evaluates the evidence used in this argument?
○ the author presents empirical evidence, then uses logical evidence to highlight the connection between the data and the claim.
○ the author focuses on logical evidence, then uses anecdotal evidence to share children’s viewpoints.
○ the author uses primarily anecdotal evidence, as a fan of professional athletes to provide support.
○ the author employs empirical, logical, and anecdotal evidence equally to support the claim with data, common sense, and a short narrative.

Explanation:

1. Empirical evidence: The passage uses survey data (92%, 75%, 76% of children surveyed) which is empirical, data-driven evidence.
2. Logical evidence: The author connects the survey data to the claim by reasoning that kids focus on athletes with admirable traits, linking the data about role models/sportsmanship to the argument that athlete salaries are deserved.
3. Anecdotal evidence: The author mentions "fans like me," which is a personal, anecdotal detail.
4. Evaluating options:

• The first option misses the anecdotal evidence.
• The second option misorders the evidence types and misrepresents the children's data as anecdotal.
• The third option incorrectly claims the evidence is primarily anecdotal, while most support is empirical.
• The fourth option correctly identifies all three types of evidence used and their purpose.

Answer:

The author employs empirical, logical, and anecdotal evidence equally to support the claim with data, common sense, and a short narrative.