9

Set 9: Rhetorical Synthesis (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: A

PASSAGE

A student is writing about the legacy of colonialism. The student wants to trace how colonial structures continue to influence contemporary global inequalities. Notes: - Colonial powers extracted resources and exported profits. - Borders were drawn without regard for ethnic or cultural boundaries. - Former colonies often inherited weak institutions. - Global trade rules were established favoring industrialized nations.

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

A. Colonial legacies persist in contemporary inequalities: resource extraction and profit export established patterns of wealth transfer, arbitrary borders created ongoing conflicts, weak inherited institutions hindered development, and trade rules continue to favor former colonial powers.✓ Correct
B. Economic development varies significantly across former colonial territories.
C. The borders of many African nations were drawn by European powers.
D. Many former colonies gained independence in the mid-20th century.

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal is to TRACE how colonial structures CONTINUE to influence. Resource patterns, borders, institutions, trade rules show ongoing influence. 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:

• "how colonial structures continue to influence contemporary global inequalities"

• "extracted resources and exported profits"

• "Borders were drawn without regard"

• "inherited weak institutions"

• "trade rules were established favoring industrialized nations"

Why others are wrong: C (Mentions one legacy but doesn't trace continuing influence.), B (Notes variation but doesn't trace colonial influence.), D (Not in notes; discusses independence, not continuing influence.).

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