Question 135·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990.
- It orbits roughly 340 miles (550 kilometers) above Earth and completes one orbit every 97 minutes.
- Data from the telescope have been cited in more than 18,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers.
- Observations from Hubble provided key evidence that the universe’s expansion is accelerating.
- NASA astronauts have conducted five servicing missions to repair and upgrade the telescope.
The student wants to emphasize the telescope’s contribution to scientific research. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions like this, first underline the specific goal in the question (for example, "emphasize contribution to scientific research"). Then scan the notes and mentally group them by type (research impact, physical details, dates, maintenance, etc.). Select the note(s) whose idea best matches the goal, and finally choose the answer option that most directly and specifically expresses that idea—ignoring options that are true but off-topic. Always prioritize relevance to the stated purpose over how interesting a fact is.
Hints
Clarify the writing goal
Underline the phrase "emphasize the telescope’s contribution to scientific research." Ask yourself: Which kind of information shows what scientists have been able to do because of Hubble?
Locate relevant notes
In the notes, look for any bullet points that mention scientific papers, evidence, or discoveries, rather than ones that just describe how or where the telescope orbits or how it is repaired.
Match the idea, not the wording
Once you know which note best shows Hubble’s role in research, choose the answer option that expresses that same idea most directly and completely, even if the wording is not identical.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the task in the question
Focus on the exact goal: the student "wants to emphasize the telescope’s contribution to scientific research." That means the best choice must show how Hubble has helped scientists do research or make discoveries, not just describe its location, motion, or maintenance.
Match the notes to that goal
Look back at the bullet points and ask: Which notes talk about scientific work or findings, rather than physical details or repairs?
- "The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990." → Just a date.
- "It orbits roughly 340 miles above Earth..." → Just orbital details.
- "Data from the telescope have been cited in more than 18,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers." → Directly about scientific research output.
- "Observations from Hubble provided key evidence that the universe’s expansion is accelerating." → About a major scientific discovery.
- "NASA astronauts have conducted five servicing missions..." → About repairs and upgrades.
The notes about papers and evidence for the universe’s expansion are most clearly about Hubble’s scientific contribution.
Choose the option that best emphasizes research contribution
Now compare the answer choices to the relevant notes and the task.
- Choice A talks about how often Hubble orbits Earth (motion), not research.
- Choice B mentions its altitude and being the first major optical telescope in space (historical/technical fact), not its research output.
- Choice D describes how many times astronauts have serviced it (maintenance), not what that achieved for science.
- Only choice C focuses on how Hubble’s data have been used in thousands of scientific papers, which directly highlights its role in advancing scientific research.
Therefore, the correct answer is: C) The Hubble Space Telescope has supplied data for more than 18,000 scientific papers, profoundly advancing astronomy.