Set 13: Rhetorical Synthesis
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about the discovery of gravitational waves. The student wants to emphasize the technological achievement required to detect them. Notes: - Gravitational waves were first detected in 2015 by LIGO. - The waves cause distortions smaller than 1/10,000th the width of a proton. - LIGO uses lasers in 4-kilometer-long tunnels to detect motion. - Einstein predicted gravitational waves 100 years earlier.
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 the TECHNOLOGICAL achievement. The extreme precision (proton scale) and complex equipment (4km lasers) demonstrate this. 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:
• "emphasize the technological achievement"
• "smaller than 1/10,000th the width of a proton"
• "4-kilometer-long tunnels"
Why others are wrong: B (Focuses on theoretical prediction, not detection technology.), D (Not in notes; discusses significance, not technology.), A (States when detected but not the technological achievement.).
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