Set 15: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about electric eels. The student wants to explain the biological mechanism behind their electric discharge. Notes: - Electric eels have specialized cells called electrocytes. - Thousands of electrocytes are stacked like batteries. - Ion flow across cell membranes generates voltage. - Discharges can exceed 800 volts.
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 biological MECHANISM. Electrocytes, battery stacking, and ion flow explain HOW electricity is generated. 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:
• "biological mechanism"
• "specialized cells called electrocytes"
• "stacked like batteries"
• "Ion flow across cell membranes generates voltage"
Why others are wrong: D (Not in notes; states location, not mechanism.), B (Not in notes; discusses use of electricity, not mechanism.), C (States output voltage but not the mechanism.).
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