Question

Driving around the parks that encircle Washington, he solicited customers with a simple pitch: early in the morning, he would deliver some bagels and a cash basket to company’s snack room; he would return before lunch to pick up the money and the leftovers. It was an honor-system commerce scheme, and it worked. Within a few years, Feldman was delivering 8,400 bagels a week to 140 companies and earning as much as he had ever made as a research analyst. He had thrown off the shackles of cubicle life and made himself happy. Based on the excerpt, which statement best strengthens Feldman’s claim that people are mostly honest? Feldman solicited customers with a simple pitch. Feldman’s payment system was largely successful. Feldman earned a good living delivering bagels. Feldman found a new career and made himself happy.

Answer 1

The claim that people are mostly honest is best supported by Feldman’s success with his honor-based payment system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best strengthens Feldman's claim that people are mostly honest is 'Feldman’s payment system was largely successful.' This directly demonstrates the effectiveness of his honor-system commerce and the trustworthiness of his clients. Feldman's method relied on people being honorable enough to pay for what they took without supervision. The fact that he was delivering 8,400 bagels a week to 140 companies and made as much money as his previous job as a research analyst corroborates the success of his honor system and suggests that people were indeed mostly honest, as they were paying for their bagels despite the absence of oversight.

Answer 2

The statement that best reinforces Feldman's claim that people are mostly honest is: "Feldman's payment system was largely successful." This follows from the text, in which Feldman's trade scheme is reported, through which he distributed bread rolls using an honor system that consisted of handing some rolls and a basket of cash to the company's refreshment room; and would return later before lunch to collect money and leftovers. Through this system the assertion that people are mostly honest is demonstrated