Question 212·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- May Berenbaum is an American entomologist who studies chemical ecology.
- Her research focuses on the evolutionary "arms race" between plants that deploy toxic chemicals and the insects that feed on them.
- Berenbaum warns that the same rapid adaptation insects use against plant toxins also allows them to overcome human-made pesticides.
- She has said, "Insects are spectacularly good at solving the problems we set for them."
- She has also remarked that insects can "invent molecular detox systems overnight."
The student wants to include a quotation from Berenbaum that emphasizes insects' ability to develop resistance to human interventions. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions using notes, first underline the task words in the question (here, “emphasizes insects’ ability to develop resistance to human interventions”). Then scan the notes and mark only the bullets that directly match that task. Next, look for answer choices that (1) use information or quotations from those specific notes, and (2) stay faithful to the notes without adding new claims or changing meanings. Quickly eliminate choices that shift the focus (e.g., to diversity or general research) or that introduce unsupported details, and select the one that most directly and accurately fulfills the stated purpose.
Hints
Identify the goal of the quotation
Focus on the question’s wording: it wants a quotation that emphasizes insects’ ability to develop resistance to human interventions, not just any quote about insects.
Locate the most relevant notes
In the bullet points, which notes talk specifically about insects overcoming human-made pesticides or rapidly adapting to toxins? Those are more relevant than notes about general research or diversity.
Check for accurate, focused use of notes
Look for a choice that both includes a quotation from the notes and sticks closely to what the notes actually say, without adding new claims or shifting the focus to something like diversity or general background.
Compare how the quotes are used
Two different quotations from Berenbaum appear in the notes. Ask yourself: which one most directly explains how insects become resistant to what humans do to control them?
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify the task and key idea
The question asks for a quotation that emphasizes insects' ability to develop resistance to human interventions.
Rephrase the goal: we need a sentence that highlights how insects quickly adapt or become resistant, especially to things humans do to control them (like pesticides). The answer must:
- Include a quotation from Berenbaum.
- Focus on developing resistance to human actions (not just being interesting, diverse, or well-studied).
Find the most relevant notes
Look back at the bullet points and ask: Which ones talk about resistance to human interventions?
From the notes:
- The third bullet: “the same rapid adaptation insects use against plant toxins also allows them to overcome human-made pesticides.” This directly connects insects’ abilities to resisting human interventions.
- The fifth bullet: Berenbaum says insects can “invent molecular detox systems overnight.” This quote explains how they overcome toxins and pesticides so quickly.
These two notes together best match the goal of showing insects develop resistance to what humans do.
Match the key note and quote to the correct choice
Now scan the answer choices for one that:
- Uses a quotation, and
- Emphasizes insects’ ability to develop resistance to human-made pesticides, based on the notes above.
Only one choice includes the “invent molecular detox systems overnight” quote and clearly explains that this lets insects defeat even the newest pesticides, which is exactly the idea of rapidly developing resistance to human interventions.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
**A) May Berenbaum, who studies plant-insect chemical battles, notes that insects can "invent molecular detox systems overnight," enabling them to defeat even the newest pesticides.