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Set 15: Rhetorical Synthesis (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: C

PASSAGE

A student is writing about voting rights in the U.S. The student wants to show how voting access has expanded over time. Notes: - Originally, only white male property owners could vote. - The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited denying votes based on race. - The 19th Amendment (1920) granted women the right to vote. - The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered voting age to 18.

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

A. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote in the United States.
B. The Constitution has been amended many times since its original ratification.
C. U.S. voting rights have progressively expanded from exclusively white male property owners to include all races (1870), women (1920), and citizens 18 and older (1971).✓ Correct
D. Voter turnout varies significantly from election to election.

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal is how access EXPANDED over time. The progression from restricted to inclusive voting shows expansion. 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:

• "show how voting access has expanded"

• "white male property owners"

• "15th Amendment"

• "19th Amendment"

• "26th Amendment"

Why others are wrong: B (General statement; doesn't specifically address voting expansion.), A (Shows one expansion but not the full progression over time.), D (Not in notes; discusses turnout, not access expansion.).

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