Question 11·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Rachel Carson (1907–1964) was a marine biologist and writer.
- Her 1962 book Silent Spring revealed the dangers of the pesticide DDT.
- The book is credited with spurring the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970.
- According to historian Linda Lear, Silent Spring “altered the balance of power in the world of science” by giving ordinary citizens a voice.
- Marine biologist Sylvia Earle states, “Carson’s words changed the course of history for the oceans—and for us.”
The student wants to use a quotation to support a claim about Carson’s influence on environmental policy. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, first identify the exact target (here: a quotation supporting Carson’s influence on environmental policy). Then use the notes to find (1) the most policy-relevant detail (e.g., EPA creation) and (2) an available quotation. Eliminate choices that miss either requirement or that add unsupported interpretation, and choose the sentence that accurately combines the needed note(s) with a relevant quote.
Hints
Restate the requirements
You need an option that (1) talks about environmental policy/policy change and (2) includes a quotation from the notes.
Find the policy note
Which bullet point describes a concrete government/policy outcome connected to Silent Spring?
Check each answer for both parts
For each choice, ask: Does it include a quotation and clearly tie Carson/Silent Spring to environmental policy (not just science or oceans in general)?
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify the task
The sentence must do two things:
- Support a claim about Carson’s influence on environmental policy.
- Use a quotation from the notes.
Match notes to the goal
The notes provide a clear policy-related detail: Silent Spring is credited with spurring the creation of the EPA in 1970. They also provide quotations (Linda Lear; Sylvia Earle) that can be used to emphasize Carson’s impact.
Eliminate choices that miss a requirement
Eliminate any option that doesn’t mention environmental policy/policy change or that doesn’t include a quotation from the notes.
Choose the option that includes both policy and a quote
The correct choice explicitly connects Silent Spring to a policy outcome (spurring the EPA’s creation) and supports the claim with Sylvia Earle’s quotation about Carson’s words changing history.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
Silent Spring is credited with spurring the creation of the EPA in 1970; as marine biologist Sylvia Earle says, Carson’s words “changed the course of history for the oceans—and for us.”