English help pls

Question

Read the passage.

An increase in a sedentary lifestyle has created a health crisis in America today. The explosion of online jobs and schools allows for people to simply sit all day without the need to move. In recent studies, as much as 80% of the American population are not getting the recommended amount of daily exercise, which could create a future filled with heath issues. It is imperative that we change our culture to one that embraces movement and health.

Which premise best creates a basis for the argument stated in this passage?

Exercise needs to be a priority for all people.

Only 20% of the population is healthy.

Physical exercise positively impacts one’s health.

Online jobs and schools cause health issues.

Answer 1

Hello and thank you for this critical thinking-style question,

I agree with Julia, except that I know that "exercise" has no needs; it, itself, does not need. Rather, it is humans who need exercise. Thus, "all people must prioritize exercise in their lives" might work better than any of the above options that have been proposed. As Julia correctly notes, the 20% remark is not the primary point of the writing, and it has to be calculated from what is given. The "physical exercise..." remark is a good one, but it lacks the urgency that the writing seems to be implying. And the last remark, the one about "health issues," is truly vague: What is being issued, after all?

Thank you.

Answer 2

The best premise for answering the passage would be that exercise needs to be a priority for everyone. The second premise, only 20% of the population is healthy, is a statement that isn’t directly supported in the passage because it only says as much as 80% are not getting the recommended amount of exercise, but that doesn’t mean they are totally unhealthy. And yes, physical exercise impacts one’s health, but the first premise is more directly aimed at the crux of the passage. The last one, online jobs and schools create health issues, is not an accurate cause and effect statement.