Question 113·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism.
Fireflies produce light using a chemical reaction involving luciferin and the enzyme luciferase.
Some organisms use bioluminescence to attract prey, communicate, or deter predators.
The deep-sea anglerfish uses a glowing lure on its head to attract prey.
The student wants to write a sentence that defines bioluminescence and gives a specific example of the phenomenon. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions like this, start by restating the task in your own words (for example, “I need a sentence that defines X and gives a specific example”). Then quickly scan the notes to find the general definition and one or two concrete examples. As you test each answer choice, check it against the task: Does it capture the correct general idea from the notes, and does it include a specific detail that illustrates that idea? Eliminate choices that only give examples without definition, only give definition without example, or that add extra, irrelevant focus. Choose the option that is both accurate to the notes and complete with respect to the question’s goal.
Hints
Identify what the question demands
Underline the two things the student wants: a definition of bioluminescence and a specific example of it. Any correct choice must clearly include both.
Locate key information in the notes
Find the note that directly defines bioluminescence, and then find which notes give specific organisms and how they use light.
Evaluate answer choices for both parts
As you read each option, ask: Does this sentence explain what bioluminescence is in general? and Does it mention one concrete organism and what it does? Eliminate choices that only do one of these.
Check for relevance and completeness
Make sure the choice does not just focus on one purpose (like communication) or a single detail, but truly gives a general definition plus one clear example drawn from the notes.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the task in the question
The question states that the student wants a sentence that (1) defines bioluminescence and (2) gives a specific example of the phenomenon. Any correct answer must do both of these things in a single sentence.
Find the definition in the notes
Look in the notes for the basic definition of bioluminescence:
- “Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism.”
The correct sentence needs to express this idea clearly, even if it does not copy the wording exactly. It should explain that bioluminescence is when living things produce or emit their own light.
Find a specific example in the notes
Now look for a specific example of bioluminescence in the notes.
You have at least two concrete examples:
- Fireflies using a chemical reaction with luciferin and luciferase to produce light.
- The deep-sea anglerfish using a glowing lure on its head to attract prey.
The correct answer must name one of these organisms and say how it uses bioluminescence.
Match the choice that has both definition and example
Check each option for both parts: a general definition of bioluminescence and a specific example from the notes.
- Only choice D gives a clear definition (that bioluminescence occurs when organisms emit their own light) and follows it with a specific example (the deep-sea anglerfish using a glowing lure to attract prey).
So, the correct answer is: “Bioluminescence occurs when organisms emit their own light; for example, the deep-sea anglerfish uses a glowing lure to attract prey.”