Set 8: Rhetorical Synthesis
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about the Columbian Exchange. The student wants to show that the exchange had both positive and negative consequences. Notes: - New crops like potatoes increased food production in Europe. - European diseases killed millions of indigenous Americans. - Horses transformed Indigenous cultures on the Great Plains. - Sugarcane cultivation fueled the transatlantic slave trade.
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 requires BOTH positive AND negative. Crops/horses (positive) vs. diseases/slave trade (negative). 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:
• "positive and negative consequences"
• "increased food production"
• "Horses transformed"
• "diseases killed millions"
• "fueled the transatlantic slave trade"
Why others are wrong: D (Only presents negative consequence (disease deaths).), B (Only presents positive consequence (food production).), A (General statement; doesn't specify positive or negative.).
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