Set 12: Rhetorical Synthesis (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about the hygiene hypothesis. The student wants to explain how reduced pathogen exposure may contribute to rising allergy rates. Notes: - Allergy and autoimmune rates have risen in developed countries. - Modern sanitization reduces early childhood exposure to pathogens. - Immune systems may overreact to harmless substances without 'training.' - Children raised on farms or with pets have lower allergy rates.
Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish the student's goal?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal is HOW reduced exposure CONTRIBUTES to allergies. Sanitization limits training, overreaction results, farm/pet evidence. 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 how reduced pathogen exposure may contribute to rising allergy rates"
• "reduces early childhood exposure to pathogens"
• "Immune systems may overreact"
• "Children raised on farms or with pets have lower allergy rates"
Why others are wrong: C (General immune system statement; doesn't explain hypothesis.), A (Suggests exposure but doesn't explain the hypothesis mechanism.), D (States rates increased but not the mechanism.).
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