Set 12: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about the water cycle. The student wants to explain the continuous nature of the cycle. Notes: - Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers. - Water vapor rises and condenses into clouds. - Precipitation returns water to Earth's surface. - Water flows back to oceans through rivers and groundwater.
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 is the CONTINUOUS nature. Showing the complete cycle that repeats emphasizes its continuous loop. 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:
• "explain the continuous nature"
• "evaporates"
• "condenses into clouds"
• "Precipitation returns"
• "flows back to oceans"
Why others are wrong: D (Describes one step only; doesn't show continuous cycle.), B (Not in notes; describes precipitation forms, not cycle continuity.), A (States importance but doesn't explain continuous nature.).
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