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Set 11: Rhetorical Synthesis (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: C

PASSAGE

A student is writing about photosynthesis. The student wants to explain why it is important for life on Earth. Notes: - Plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight. - Oxygen is released as a byproduct of photosynthesis. - Photosynthesis provides the base of most food chains. - The process occurs in chloroplasts within plant cells.

Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish the student's goal?

A. During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
B. Sunlight is essential for plants to perform photosynthesis.
C. By producing oxygen as a byproduct and providing the foundation for most food chains, photosynthesis sustains nearly all life on Earth.✓ Correct
D. Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, specialized structures within plant cells.

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal is WHY it's important for life. Oxygen production and food chain foundation explain importance to life. The correct synthesis will use relevant details from the notes in a logical, purposeful way. Focus on what the question asks you to accomplish, then choose the answer that best achieves that goal using the provided information. Effective synthesis requires selecting and combining the most relevant information to achieve a specific purpose. Not all provided notes may be equally useful. Focus on what best accomplishes the stated goal while maintaining logical coherence.

Key Evidence:

• "explain why it is important for life"

• "Oxygen is released"

• "provides the base of most food chains"

Why others are wrong: A (Describes the process, not its importance.), D (Explains where it occurs, not why it's important.), B (States requirement for photosynthesis, not its importance.).

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