Which statement is most strongly supported by textual evidence?

Which statement is most strongly supported by textual evidence?

• A. The author never used rhetorical devices
• B. The option that cites specific lines or data from the text
• C. The author clearly states their opinion
• D. The author uses biased language

Answer: (B)

Textual evidence means backing up a claim by pointing to exact parts of the text—specific lines, data, or examples—rather than making broad or general statements. The best choice reflects that practice: it describes citing precise lines or data from the text to support an assertion. That direct use of exact passages shows a clear link between the claim and the source material, which is what the phrase “textual evidence” is all about. The other ideas are less directly tied to textual evidence. Claiming the author never used rhetorical devices is an absolute statement that you can’t reliably prove from the text alone. Saying the author clearly states their opinion isn’t always true, since some texts imply views without a direct statement. And noting biased language describes the author’s language style, but it isn’t the core mechanism by which a claim is supported with textual evidence.

Textual evidence means backing up a claim by pointing to exact parts of the text—specific lines, data, or examples—rather than making broad or general statements. The best choice reflects that practice: it describes citing precise lines or data from the text to support an assertion. That direct use of exact passages shows a clear link between the claim and the source material, which is what the phrase “textual evidence” is all about.

The other ideas are less directly tied to textual evidence. Claiming the author never used rhetorical devices is an absolute statement that you can’t reliably prove from the text alone. Saying the author clearly states their opinion isn’t always true, since some texts imply views without a direct statement. And noting biased language describes the author’s language style, but it isn’t the core mechanism by which a claim is supported with textual evidence.