Set 7: Rhetorical Synthesis
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about nuclear fusion. The student wants to explain why it has been difficult to achieve despite decades of research. Notes: - Fusion requires temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees. - No material can contain plasma at these temperatures. - Magnetic fields are used to confine the plasma. - More energy has been required to create fusion than it produces.
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 WHY it's been DIFFICULT. Extreme temperature, containment problems, and negative energy balance explain difficulties. 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:
• "why it has been difficult"
• "requires temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees"
• "No material can contain plasma"
• "More energy has been required...than it produces"
Why others are wrong: A (States technique but doesn't explain difficulties.), C (Not in notes; discusses potential, not difficulties.), B (Not in notes; discusses natural fusion, not difficulty.).
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