Question 238·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Greta Oto is a lepidopterist.
- She earned a PhD in entomology from the University of California, Davis, in 2009.
- She discovered a new population of glasswing butterflies in Costa Rica in 2012.
- She currently heads the butterfly research laboratory at the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) in Costa Rica.
- She coauthored the 2020 book Wings of Transparency.
The student wants to introduce Greta Oto’s role at INBio. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, underline the goal phrase (here, “introduce Greta Oto’s role at INBio”), then find the note that directly matches that goal. Eliminate choices that omit that key detail or that mention the topic but stay vague, and select the option that is accurate and most directly focused on the stated purpose.
Hints
Restate the goal in your own words
You need a sentence that tells readers what Greta Oto’s job/position is at INBio.
Find the note that mentions INBio
One bullet point states exactly what she does at INBio. That’s the key detail you should expect the best choice to use.
Watch out for choices that add other facts
A choice can mention true facts (like her discovery or book) and still miss the goal if it doesn’t clearly state her role at INBio.
Prefer the most direct, role-focused wording
The best option should keep the focus on her position at INBio rather than on unrelated achievements.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the task in the question
Focus on the goal: “introduce Greta Oto’s role at INBio.” The best sentence must state what she does at INBio (her role or position) using the notes.
Find the relevant note
Locate the bullet that directly describes her INBio role:
- “She currently heads the butterfly research laboratory at the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) in Costa Rica.”
Eliminate choices that don’t give her specific INBio role
Eliminate choices that either (a) don’t mention INBio at all or (b) mention INBio but don’t state her position (for example, saying only that she “works” there). Those don’t accomplish the introduction of her role.
Select the choice that directly states her INBio position
The choice that directly introduces her role at INBio by stating her position is: “Lepidopterist Greta Oto currently heads the butterfly research laboratory at Costa Rica’s National Biodiversity Institute (INBio).”