Question

the following is a draft of a student essay. it may contain errors.
mowing down teen jobs
(1) their services are often greatly valued by busy neighbors who don’t have time to mow or want to avoid paying costly monthly bills to a landscaping company.
(2) however, some cities are now forcing kids to obtain a business license to mow lawns. (3) this comes at a high price for a teen, who may only be taking on mowing duties while school is out. (4) business licenses can cost more than $100. (5) in addition, the cost of a business license cuts into the small profits teens earn mowing lawns. (6) some also pay for gas for the mower and sometimes the mower itself.
(7) unlicensed teens could be fined an even higher amount for breaking the law.

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which counterclaim, if included, would best help balance the argument in the passage?
a. neighbors should pay teens more for mowing their lawns so they can afford a license.
b. some competing landscape companies might feel they will lose business to hardworking teens.
c. teenagers have the option of finding different summer jobs if they don’t want to buy a license.
d. people who hire teenagers to mow their lawns should provide the gas and lawn mowers.

Explanation:

The passage argues that requiring teens to get expensive business licenses for lawn mowing is unfair, as it cuts into their small profits and risks fines. A counterclaim should present an opposing perspective that balances this argument. Option B introduces the viewpoint of competing landscape companies, who would be negatively affected by unlicensed teen mowers, creating a balanced debate between teen workers and established businesses.

Answer:

B. Some competing landscape companies might feel they will lose business to hardworking teens