Question 240·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Maria Telkes was a Hungarian-American scientist who pioneered solar energy technologies.
- In 1947 she designed the first solar-heated residence, known as the Dover Sun House in Massachusetts.
- Telkes also invented a compact, solar-powered desalination device that provided drinking water to soldiers in lifeboats during World War II.
- Because of her work with the sun’s power, she earned the nickname “the Sun Queen.”
The student is preparing an introductory sentence for a presentation to classmates who know little about Telkes. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to introduce Telkes and highlight her achievements?
For rhetorical synthesis questions like this, first read the notes and quickly decide what the big picture is: who or what is being described and what the main takeaways are. Then read the question stem carefully to see the purpose (intro, conclusion, transition, etc.). For an introduction, prefer an option that (1) clearly identifies the person or topic, (2) combines multiple key points from the notes rather than a single minor detail, and (3) stays tightly focused on the subject named in the question. Eliminate choices that are too narrow, give only a fun fact, or shift focus to a broader or different topic than the one requested.
Hints
Focus on the purpose of an introduction
Ask yourself: for classmates who don’t know Maria Telkes, what basic information do they need first—only a nickname, or something more complete?
Look for identity + achievements
Scan for a choice that both tells who she is (her role/background) and highlights more than one of the important accomplishments listed in the notes.
Avoid choices that are too narrow or off-topic
Be careful with choices that only mention one detail from the notes or mainly talk about solar power in general rather than introducing Maria Telkes herself.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the task
The question asks for an introductory sentence for classmates who know little about Maria Telkes. The best sentence should (1) identify who she is and (2) highlight key achievements from the notes, not just one detail.
Pick the most important note details for an introduction
From the notes, the most helpful introductory information is:
- Who she is: a Hungarian-American scientist who pioneered solar energy technologies.
- Major achievements: the first solar-heated residence (Dover Sun House) and a solar-powered desalination device used in World War II lifeboats.
- Helpful context: her nickname, “the Sun Queen.”
Eliminate choices that are too narrow or too general
Eliminate choices that only mention a nickname, focus on only one accomplishment, or mainly discuss solar power in general rather than introducing Telkes herself and her achievements.
Choose the option that introduces Telkes and highlights her achievements
The best choice is: Maria Telkes, a Hungarian-American scientist nicknamed the “Sun Queen,” pioneered solar energy by designing the first solar-heated house and inventing a compact solar-powered desalination device for World War II lifeboats.