Prompt: The industrialists of the last quarter of the nineteenth century were visionaries rather than “robber barons”.

Thesis The industrialists advanced America economically, but their greed gave them a deserved reputation for lawlessness and ruthlessness.

Select the strongest statement in support of the thesis. Why is it most effective?

Statement 1 Industrialists such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie did many good things and some bad things, but generally, they helped America become great.

Statement 2 Men such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie should have shared their money with more people, including their workers.

Statement 3 The trusts created by Rockefeller and Carnegie made America competitive internationally, but they exploited their workers and the American public.

THE BEST CHOICE IS STATEMENT 3. IT HAS SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE INSUSTRIALISTS MADE AMERICA COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT IT ALSO SUGGESTS HOW THEY ABUSED AMERICANS AT HOME. STATEMENT 1 IS TOO GENERAL AND VAGUE TO DEVELOP THE THESIS. STATEMENT 2 IS AN OPINION ABOUT THE INDUSTRIALISTS AND IS NOT BACKED UP WITH FACTS OR PROOF.