Question 115·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) was founded in 1829.
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) opened in 2016.
- Both museums are part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
The student wants to compare when the two museums began operating. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, start by underlining the exact goal (here, compare when the museums began operating). Then scan for the answer choice that uses only the notes needed for that goal: it should include both museums, both relevant dates, and a clear comparison, without drifting into extra details like location unless they help accomplish the stated purpose.
Hints
Focus on what must be compared
Look for an option that mentions both museums and tells when each one began operating.
Look for two dates
A strong comparison here should include both years from the notes.
Prefer a clear comparison signal
Words like “while” or “later” can help show the relationship between the two dates.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the goal
The sentence must compare when the two museums began operating, so it should mention both museums and both years.
Check each option for relevant information
Eliminate choices that mention only location/affiliation or give just one museum’s date, because they don’t make a comparison of start times.
Select the choice that includes both dates and a comparison
The best choice states SAAM’s founding year (1829) and NMAAHC’s opening year (2016) and shows that 2016 is later: “SAAM was founded in 1829, while NMAAHC opened much later, in 2016.”