Question 16·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Biomimicry is a design approach that imitates strategies found in nature.
- Swiss engineer George de Mestral developed Velcro in the 1940s.
- He studied the burrs of burdock plants and saw that they have tiny hooks.
- Velcro's hook-and-loop fastener was inspired by this structure.
- Designers often cite Velcro as a classic example of biomimicry.
The student wants to clearly define biomimicry and include a specific, well-known example. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, first underline the specific writing goal in the prompt (for example, “define X and give an example”). Then quickly sort the notes into categories like definition, example, cause/effect, or extra detail. Once you know exactly which types of information you need, test each answer choice: eliminate any that (1) do not fulfill every part of the goal, (2) leave out key information that’s clearly available in the notes, or (3) add claims not supported by the notes. The remaining choice should be the one that cleanly combines only the relevant notes to satisfy the stated purpose in a single, well-structured sentence.
Hints
Restate the task in your own words
You need a sentence that both explains what biomimicry is and names a clear example that shows that idea in action. Keep both parts in mind.
Sort the notes by purpose
Look at which note gives a definition of biomimicry and which notes describe something that could serve as an example of that definition.
Check each option against the goal
Ask of each choice: Does it define biomimicry? Does it include one specific, famous example from the notes? Does it avoid adding details that are not in the notes?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the writing goal
The question says the student wants to clearly define biomimicry and include a specific, well-known example. So the correct answer must:
- State what biomimicry means.
- Provide one concrete, recognizable example.
- Use only information found in the notes.
Match notes to the two parts of the goal
Look at the notes and separate them into definition vs. example:
- Definition: "Biomimicry is a design approach that imitates strategies found in nature."
- Example details (about Velcro):
- Swiss engineer George de Mestral developed Velcro in the 1940s.
- He studied the burrs of burdock plants and saw that they have tiny hooks.
- Velcro's hook-and-loop fastener was inspired by this structure.
- Designers often cite Velcro as a classic example of biomimicry.
The best choice must combine the definition sentence with enough of the Velcro details to show it as a clear, classic example.
Eliminate choices that do not meet the goal
Check each option against the goal:
- Option A only gives the definition and no example, so it does not fully meet the goal.
- Option C only tells the story of de Mestral and Velcro; it never defines biomimicry, so it also fails the goal.
- Option D mentions Velcro and biomimicry but does not clearly define biomimicry and adds an unsupported claim about "many other 1940s products," which is not in the notes.
Only one remaining option both defines biomimicry and uses the Velcro story as a specific, classic example, without adding extra unsupported information.
Confirm the remaining choice uses relevant notes effectively
The correct answer is:
Biomimicry is a design approach that imitates strategies found in nature; a classic example is Velcro, whose hook-and-loop fastener was inspired by the tiny hooks on burdock burrs.
This sentence:
- Clearly defines biomimicry using the first note.
- Gives a specific, well-known example (Velcro) and accurately explains how its hook-and-loop design was inspired by the tiny hooks on burdock burrs, using the other notes.
- Avoids extra, unsupported details, so it most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish the goal.