Set 10: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about the Green Revolution. The student wants to explain both its agricultural achievements and its environmental costs. Notes: - New crop varieties dramatically increased global food production. - The revolution helped avert predicted mass famines. - Heavy pesticide and fertilizer use damaged ecosystems. - Intensive irrigation depleted groundwater supplies.
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 achievements AND environmental costs. Famine prevention (achievement) vs. ecosystem/groundwater damage (costs). 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:
• "agricultural achievements and its environmental costs"
• "avert predicted mass famines"
• "damaged ecosystems"
• "depleted groundwater"
Why others are wrong: D (Only presents achievement (increased production).), A (General statement; doesn't address achievements or costs specifically.), C (Only presents environmental cost (ecosystem damage).).
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