Instructions: select the correct answer.
lyle wants to write an essay about how the government should cut back on some of its current expenditures on space exploration. he wants to acknowledge that nasa has made several achievements related to space exploration and that those achievements have played a significant role in boosting the morale of the country. he also wants to emphasize that space exploration is less significant than a host of everyday issues the country faces. he wants to suggest that redirecting some of the funds spent on space missions to fields such as education or medical research would be more beneficial to humanity. given lyle's ideas for his essay, which of the following is the best thesis statement?

1. although space exploration is not a profitable venture, it is necessary for humanity to understand the universe.
2. space exploration is a waste of money and resources, but nasa should continue to fund its next planned mission to mars.
3. while it is not advisable to stop space exploration entirely, the government should prioritize spending on important issues where the benefits may be more tangible.
4. space exploration acts like a magnet, pulling away both intellectual resources and the tax payer's dollars only to produce inconsequential results.
5. before trying to unravel the mysteries of space, we should learn about our own planet.