5

Set 9: Rhetorical Synthesis

Explanation

Answer: D

PASSAGE

A student is writing about the Mpemba effect. The student wants to present the paradox and the ongoing scientific debate about it. Notes: - Under certain conditions, hot water freezes faster than cold water. - This appears to violate thermodynamic expectations. - Proposed explanations include evaporation, dissolved gases, and convection. - Some scientists question whether the effect is reproducible at all.

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

A. Scientific phenomena sometimes defy intuitive expectations.
B. Thermodynamics governs heat transfer and energy transformations.
C. Hot water sometimes freezes faster than cold water under certain conditions.
D. The Mpemba effect—hot water freezing faster than cold—paradoxically violates thermodynamic expectations; scientists propose mechanisms like evaporation and convection, though some question whether the effect is reliably reproducible at all.✓ Correct

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal requires PARADOX AND ongoing debate. Thermodynamic violation (paradox) + competing explanations + reproducibility questions (debate). 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:

• "present the paradox and the ongoing scientific debate"

• "hot water freezes faster than cold"

• "appears to violate thermodynamic expectations"

• "Proposed explanations include"

• "scientists question whether the effect is reproducible"

Why others are wrong: C (States effect but not the paradox or debate.), B (Not in notes; defines thermodynamics, not the debate.), A (General statement; doesn't present specific paradox.).

🎯 Keep Practicing!

Master all sections for your best SAT score