Question 158·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Coarse wool from certain mountain sheep is naturally water repellent.
- University of Crestmont materials scientists investigated the wool’s microscopic structure.
- Using scanning electron microscopy, the researchers observed overlapping cuticle scales coated with lanolin.
- The combination of scales and lanolin traps air, causing water droplets to bead and roll off.
- The team hopes the finding will guide development of sustainably produced, water-resistant fabrics.
The student wants to emphasize how the researchers’ investigation could lead to a practical application. Which choice most effectively synthesizes relevant information from the notes to achieve this purpose?
For rhetorical synthesis questions like this, start by underlining the task in the question stem (here, "emphasize how the researchers’ investigation could lead to a practical application"). Then skim the notes and mark the bullet(s) that show (1) what the researchers did or found and (2) what they hope to do with that knowledge. When you check the answer choices, quickly eliminate any option that only summarizes the phenomenon or the method without mentioning the real-world use, or that adds details not supported by the notes. Finally, choose the sentence that accurately combines key points from the notes while directly addressing the stated purpose.
Hints
Focus on the task word "emphasize"
The question is not just asking you to repeat a fact. It wants a sentence that emphasizes how the research connects to something useful in the real world. Look for a choice that clearly shows a "so that" or "in order to" type relationship.
Find the note about future use
Among the bullet points, find the one that talks about what the team hopes to do with their findings. Your answer should reflect that idea in addition to describing the investigation.
Eliminate incomplete summaries
Cross out any choice that only talks about what the wool is like or what the microscope showed, without making clear how that knowledge might be used to create something new.
Watch for new or incorrect details
Be careful of answer choices that introduce claims not supported by the notes, such as saying only one factor is responsible or adding an application that the notes never mention.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the required emphasis
The sentence must highlight a practical application, so it should include the team’s goal (guiding development of sustainably produced, water-resistant fabrics) and connect that goal to what the researchers investigated.
Pull the two key note ideas to combine
From the notes, the key pieces to synthesize are:
- Investigation: University of Crestmont scientists used scanning electron microscopy and observed overlapping cuticle scales coated with lanolin.
- Application: They hope the finding will guide development of sustainably produced, water-resistant fabrics.
Choose the option that accurately connects investigation to application
The first option includes the application goal and accurately summarizes what the microscopy study examined (lanolin-coated, overlapping scales causing beading/roll-off). The other options either change the mechanism (e.g., “lanolin alone,” “coarseness”) or weaken/omit the water-resistant application.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
Hoping their findings will guide the development of sustainably produced, water-resistant fabrics, University of Crestmont scientists used scanning electron microscopy to study how lanolin-coated, overlapping scales make water bead and roll off wool.