8.35 Best evidence for a claim Worksheet

[1] A district made school lunch free for all students, regardless of family income. [2] Supporters said universal meals could reduce stigma and increase participation. [3] Cafeteria staff worried that lines would be longer and that food waste might rise. [4] Participation increased sharply in the first month, especially among students who had not qualified before. [5] Food waste did not rise as much as expected because the cafeteria adjusted portion sizes after observing what students left behind. [6] The article says the participation records are the most direct evidence that universal meals increased lunch use. [7] The district plans to study whether attendance changes over a full year.

[1] A city updated its noise ordinance and began issuing warnings before fines. [2] The policy aimed to reduce late-night disturbances without immediately punishing residents. [3] Police logs show more warnings were issued in the first month, which some residents took as a sign of increased enforcement. [4] However, complaint calls about repeated loud parties at the same addresses decreased over the next three months. [5] The article notes that overall nightlife activity stayed similar, based on restaurant sales data. [6] The author says the drop in repeat complaints is the strongest evidence that the new approach reduced disturbances. [7] The city plans to review whether warnings are applied consistently across neighborhoods.

[1] A city conducted an equity map of tree canopy to see which neighborhoods had the least shade. [2] The map combined satellite images with temperature readings from summer afternoons. [3] Officials used the map to prioritize planting requests and maintenance schedules. [4] The map itself did not plant any trees, so the article warns it cannot directly lower temperatures yet. [5] However, budget documents show that the next planting cycle directed a larger share of new trees to the lowest-canopy neighborhoods. [6] The article argues that the budget shift is the best evidence that the map changed decision-making. [7] Officials plan to measure temperature changes after trees mature.