Question 229·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Mercury and Venus are both classified as inner planets.
- Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system.
- Venus rotates in the opposite (retrograde) direction of most planets.
- Neither Mercury nor Venus has any moons.
The student wants to emphasize a difference between Mercury and Venus. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For note-synthesis questions, first pinpoint the exact task word in the stem (such as "difference," "similarity," "cause," or "effect"). Then quickly label each note as applying to one subject or to both, and predict the type of relationship the correct sentence must show (contrast, comparison, cause-and-effect, etc.). As you evaluate the answer choices, immediately eliminate any that (1) contradict the notes, (2) add new information not found in the notes, or (3) do not match the stated goal—like describing similarities when the question asks for a difference. The remaining choice that fits both the notes and the task is your answer.
Hints
Focus on the question's goal
Underline the word "difference" in the question. Ask yourself: should the correct sentence show how Mercury and Venus are alike, or how they are not alike?
Use the notes strategically
Look at the bullet points and decide which ones describe both planets in the same way and which ones describe only Mercury or only Venus.
Match the structure to the goal
The best choice will combine one fact that is unique to Mercury with one fact that is unique to Venus and clearly contrast them, without adding extra details that are not found in the notes.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the task
Focus on the key word "difference" in the question. The student wants a sentence that shows how Mercury and Venus are not the same, not a sentence that groups them together or gives general background information.
Sort the notes into "shared" vs. "individual" facts
Look at each bullet point and decide whether it applies to both planets or just one.
- "Mercury and Venus are both classified as inner planets." → shared (both)
- "Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system." → Mercury only
- "Venus rotates in the opposite (retrograde) direction of most planets." → Venus only
- "Neither Mercury nor Venus has any moons." → shared (both)
To emphasize a difference, the best sentence should use one fact that is unique to Mercury and one fact that is unique to Venus, and set them in contrast.
Check each answer against the goal and the notes
Now compare the answer choices to your plan.
- Choice A: Talks about both planets lacking moons and even claims they are the "only" inner planets that lack moons. The notes never say "only," and this focuses on a similarity, not a difference.
- Choice C: Begins with "Like Mercury" and then describes Venus in a similar way. It emphasizes what they have in common and adds "orbits close to the Sun," which is not stated in the notes.
- Choice D: Says they are considered inner planets because they orbit inside the asteroid belt. The notes do not mention the asteroid belt at all, and this again presents a shared classification instead of a contrast.
All three of these either add information that is not in the notes, or they highlight similarities instead of differences.
Identify the remaining, contrasting choice
Once you remove the choices that focus on similarities or bring in outside information, the only remaining option is the one that uses the Mercury-only fact (that Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system) and the Venus-only fact (that Venus rotates in the opposite direction of most planets) to form a clear contrast.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Mercury is the smallest planet, whereas Venus rotates in the opposite direction of most planets."