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Set 10: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: B

PASSAGE

A student is writing about digital privacy. The student wants to examine the tension between security needs and privacy rights. Notes: - Governments argue surveillance prevents terrorism. - Encryption protects citizens but can shield criminals. - Data collection enables services but creates vulnerability. - Democratic societies value both security and civil liberties.

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

A. Strong encryption makes it difficult for law enforcement to access criminal communications.
B. Digital privacy creates inherent tensions: government surveillance may prevent terrorism but infringes rights; encryption protects citizens yet shields criminals; data collection enables services but creates vulnerability—forcing democracies to balance security and civil liberties.✓ Correct
C. Democratic societies face difficult choices about balancing security and privacy.
D. Privacy advocates argue that surveillance erodes democratic freedoms.

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal is to EXAMINE the TENSION. Each example shows both security benefit AND privacy concern: surveillance, encryption, data collection. 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:

• "examine the tension between security needs and privacy rights"

• "surveillance prevents terrorism"

• "Encryption protects...but can shield criminals"

• "Data collection enables...but creates vulnerability"

Why others are wrong: D (Not in notes; presents one side, not the tension.), C (States tension exists but doesn't examine it in detail.), A (Shows one aspect but doesn't examine the full tension.).

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