Question 162·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• Study examined 20 U.S. cities.
• Neighborhoods with tree-canopy coverage above 40% were up to 5.6 °C cooler during the day than areas with less than 10% coverage.
• Lead researcher Dr. Maria López combined satellite thermal imaging with demographic data.
• Low-income neighborhoods had, on average, 25% less tree canopy than the citywide mean.
• Modeling showed that raising canopy coverage to at least 30% could reduce heat-related emergency calls by 14%.
The student wants to provide context for a policy proposal aimed at addressing urban heat inequality. Which choice most effectively synthesizes information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, first restate the task in your own words, paying close attention to purpose phrases like "to provide context for a policy proposal" or "to introduce a problem." Then scan the notes and quickly mark the 2–3 bullets that most directly support that purpose (for this question, the inequality data and the modeled effect of a policy change). Next, eliminate answer choices that: (1) use only one minor detail, (2) focus on methods instead of the question’s purpose, or (3) ignore key elements like the target group or intended outcome. Choose the option that accurately combines multiple important notes and clearly matches the stated goal in the prompt.
Hints
Focus on the purpose phrase
Underline the words "provide context for a policy proposal" and "urban heat inequality." Ask yourself: which answer would best set up or support a solution to unequal heat impacts, not just describe the study?
Locate the inequality and solution in the notes
Look at the bullet points that mention low-income neighborhoods and the modeling about raising canopy coverage to at least 30%. How could these pieces work together to support a policy idea?
Look for synthesis, not just a single fact
Eliminate choices that only talk about the study methods or just temperature differences. The best answer should combine who is affected, what change is recommended, and what effect that change is expected to have.
Check for relevance to inequality
Make sure the choice you pick clearly connects to inequality between low-income neighborhoods and the rest of the city, not just general heat or general city data.
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify the task and key purpose words
The question asks which sentence will "provide context for a policy proposal aimed at addressing urban heat inequality." That means the best choice should:
- Mention urban heat inequality (differences between low-income and other neighborhoods).
- Connect to a policy proposal (an action to fix the problem, not just a description of a study).
- Use study details as supporting context for that proposal.
Identify the most relevant notes
Look back at the notes and pick out what matters for a policy about inequality and solutions:
- Inequality: "Low-income neighborhoods had, on average, 25% less tree canopy than the citywide mean."
- Possible solution (policy direction): "Modeling showed that raising canopy coverage to at least 30% could reduce heat-related emergency calls by 14%."
- Credible source: "Lead researcher Dr. Maria López combined satellite thermal imaging with demographic data."
These pieces together give: problem (deficit in low-income areas), proposed change (raise canopy to 30%), and benefit (fewer emergency calls), all backed by a named expert.
Check each option for synthesis and purpose match
Now ask of each option:
- Does it refer to low-income neighborhoods or inequality?
- Does it suggest or support a policy/action (like raising canopy coverage)?
- Does it combine multiple key notes (inequality + proposed solution + modeled effect and/or researcher)? Any option that misses inequality or the policy angle, or that only talks about methods, should be eliminated.
Select the option that ties inequality to a specific remedy and impact
Only one choice simultaneously mentions the 25% canopy deficit in low-income neighborhoods (inequality), the recommendation to raise coverage to at least 30% (policy direction), and the projected 14% reduction in heat-related emergency calls (benefit), with Dr. López as the source. That option best synthesizes the notes to provide context for a policy proposal addressing urban heat inequality, so the correct answer is:
B) Pointing to the 25% average deficit in tree canopy in low-income neighborhoods, lead researcher Dr. Maria López recommends increasing coverage to at least 30%, a change projected to cut heat-related emergency calls by 14%.
(Optional) Confirm why the others are weaker
The other options fall short: one describes temperature differences but no policy, one mentions the proposed change and benefit but not inequality, and one only describes research methods. None of them ties who is harmed, what should be done, and what benefit is expected into a single, well-supported sentence the way the correct choice does.