10

Set 10: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)

Explanation

Answer: B

PASSAGE

A student is writing about panspermia. The student wants to present both the hypothesis and the evidence that makes it scientifically plausible. Notes: - Panspermia suggests life arrived on Earth from space. - Microbes have survived exposure to space conditions. - Organic molecules have been found in meteorites and comets. - The hypothesis doesn't explain life's ultimate origin.

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

A. The panspermia hypothesis has been discussed by scientists for over a century.
B. Panspermia proposes that life arrived on Earth from space—a hypothesis supported by evidence that microbes survive space conditions and organic molecules exist in meteorites, though it doesn't resolve life's ultimate origin.✓ Correct
C. Microbes have been shown to survive exposure to the harsh conditions of space.
D. Organic molecules have been discovered in meteorites and comets from space.

Detailed Answer Explanation

This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal requires BOTH hypothesis AND plausibility evidence. Hypothesis (life from space) + evidence (microbe survival, organic molecules) + limitation. 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:

• "both the hypothesis and the evidence"

• "life arrived on Earth from space"

• "Microbes have survived exposure"

• "Organic molecules have been found"

Why others are wrong: D (Presents one piece of evidence without the hypothesis.), A (Not in notes; discusses history, not hypothesis or evidence.), C (Presents one piece of evidence without the hypothesis.).

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