Final answer:
The student is making a point about the importance of individual identification through cattle branding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The point the student is making with the cattle branding story is the importance of individual identification (b). The story highlights how the invention of barbed wire allowed large ranch owners to claim prime grazing lands, which caused frustration and violence among smaller ranchers who couldn't find grass and water for their cattle. This led to the need for individual identification through cattle branding to prevent cattle rustling and ensure ownership.