Question 160·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While studying global rainforests, a researcher has compiled the following notes:
• The Amazon rainforest spans about 5.5 million square kilometers, nearly three-quarters the size of Australia (7.7 million square kilometers).
• The Congo Basin rainforest covers roughly 3.7 million square kilometers, but its annual deforestation rate (0.4%) is double that of the Amazon (0.2%).
The researcher wants to highlight that the Congo Basin, though smaller, is losing forest cover more rapidly than the Amazon. Which choice most effectively conveys this idea?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, start by underlining the exact idea the question stem says the writer wants to highlight (for example, “X is smaller but changes faster than Y”). Then scan the answer choices and eliminate any that mainly list facts or numbers without clearly stating that idea. Prefer the choice that (1) uses clear logical connectors like “although,” “but,” or “however” to show the relationship, (2) directly states which thing is larger/smaller or faster/slower, and (3) is concise and easy to understand even if you ignore the precise numbers.
Hints
Focus on the researcher’s goal
Underline the key idea in the prompt: the Congo Basin is smaller but is losing forest cover more rapidly than the Amazon. Which part of each answer captures this contrast?
Look for contrast words and emphasis
Check which choice uses a contrast word like “although,” “but,” or “though” to set up the idea that one forest is larger while the other is losing trees faster.
Check if the main point is clear without the numbers
Ask yourself: if you ignore the exact square kilometers and percentages, which sentence still makes the idea about size vs. speed of loss the clearest?
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate what the question is asking for
The prompt tells you exactly what the researcher wants to highlight: “the Congo Basin, though smaller, is losing forest cover more rapidly than the Amazon.”
So the right answer must:
- Show that the Amazon is larger than the Congo Basin.
- Emphasize that the Congo Basin is losing trees faster than the Amazon.
- Make that contrast clear and easy to see.
Translate the notes into plain language
From the bullet points:
- Amazon: about 5.5 million square kilometers; deforestation rate .
- Congo Basin: about 3.7 million square kilometers; deforestation rate .
Because is double , the Congo Basin is losing forest twice as fast as the Amazon, even though it is smaller.
Check each choice for focus and clarity
Look at what each answer emphasizes:
- Some answers recite all the numbers (areas and percentages) in a neutral way, treating both rainforests equally.
- One answer clearly sets up a contrast between size and loss rate (using a word like “although”) and then directly states which rainforest is losing trees faster (using a phrase like “twice as fast”).
The best answer should match the researcher’s main point, not just repeat data.
Choose the sentence that best highlights the contrast
The only option that both (1) mentions that the Amazon is larger and (2) clearly states that trees are disappearing at twice the rate in the Congo Basin, using a clear contrast structure, is:
B) Although the Amazon rainforest is larger than the Congo Basin, trees disappear twice as fast in the Congo Basin.