Question 142·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has compiled the following notes:
- Seagrass meadows cover less than 0.2% of the ocean floor but store about 10% of the ocean’s carbon each year.
- When seagrass meadows degrade, much of this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere.
- “Blue carbon” refers to carbon captured and stored by coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows.
- Marine biologist Dr. Indah Rahman conducted a 10-year study of seagrass restoration in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands.
- Rahman’s team discovered that restored seagrass meadows sequestered carbon at twice the rate of natural meadows during their first five years.
The student wants to introduce Rahman’s research in a post for an environmental blog whose readers might be unfamiliar with the concept of blue carbon. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal? anikо.аі SAT Queѕtiοn Ваnk
For rhetorical synthesis, first restate the exact goal (what the sentence must do) and audience needs (what must be defined). Then pick only the notes that directly serve that goal. Finally, choose the option that includes the required elements and keeps every detail faithful to the notes—watch especially for choices that swap in general background facts or subtly alter time frames or study findings. Роwerеd bу Aniкo
Hints
Focus on the task in the question
Underline “introduce Rahman’s research” and “readers might be unfamiliar with the concept of blue carbon.” What two pieces must the sentence include?
Match notes to the goal
Which bullet defines blue carbon, and which bullets give Rahman’s study and key result? The best answer should pull from both.
Eliminate choices that miss or distort required info
Cross out any choice that doesn’t define blue carbon for a new reader or that changes what the notes say about Rahman’s finding (like the time period or what was discovered). anіko.ai
Prefer the choice that uses the key result (not just background)
Several notes provide general background about seagrass; the best introduction to Rahman’s research should highlight her specific restoration finding rather than only general seagrass facts.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the sentence must accomplish
The student’s sentence must (1) explain blue carbon for readers who may not know the term and (2) introduce Dr. Indah Rahman’s research with an accurate, relevant finding from the notes.
Locate the exact notes to use
Two note sets matter most:
- Definition: “Blue carbon” refers to carbon captured and stored by coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows.
- Rahman’s research: a 10-year study in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands finding that restored seagrass meadows sequestered carbon at twice the rate of natural meadows during their first five years.
Check each choice for accuracy and completeness
- The best choice should define blue carbon and accurately report Rahman’s restoration result.
- Eliminate choices that (a) leave out the definition for unfamiliar readers or (b) attribute general background facts (like seafloor coverage or carbon release from degradation) as if they were Rahman’s main study finding, or (c) change key details (like the time period of the “twice the rate” result).
Select the choice that matches the notes and the goal
Choice A defines blue carbon and correctly reports Rahman’s finding that restored seagrass meadows in the Lesser Sunda Islands sequestered carbon at twice the rate of natural meadows during their first five years.