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 exact goal in the prompt (for example, “define X and give an example”). Then match each part of that goal to specific notes. Eliminate any choice that misses a required part of the goal or adds claims not supported by the notes; the best answer will combine only the necessary notes into a single clear sentence.
Hints
Restate the task in your own words
Pick the option that does two things: defines biomimicry and gives one specific example from the notes.
Find the definition note
One note directly tells you what biomimicry means. Make sure your choice includes that definition.
Add a well-known example from the notes
The notes also describe a famous example connected to burdock burrs. The best choice should pair that example with the definition, without adding unsupported claims.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the writing goal
The student’s goal is to (1) clearly define biomimicry and (2) include a specific, well-known example. The best choice must do both using information from the notes.
Locate the needed information in the notes
From the notes:
- Definition: Biomimicry is a design approach that imitates strategies found in nature.
- Example: Velcro is a classic example, and its hook-and-loop fastener was inspired by the tiny hooks on burdock burrs.
Check each choice against the goal
Eliminate any choice that doesn’t meet both parts of the goal:
- Choice 1 defines biomimicry but gives no specific example.
- Choice 3 gives Velcro details but does not define biomimicry.
- Choice 4 mentions biomimicry and Velcro but still doesn’t define biomimicry.
The remaining choice is the only one that includes both a clear definition and a specific, well-known example from the notes.
Select the choice that defines and exemplifies biomimicry
The correct answer is:
Biomimicry imitates strategies found in nature; Velcro, inspired by burdock burr hooks, is a classic example.