Question 246·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has compiled the following notes:
- The Webb Farm solar array produces enough electricity to power about 1,200 homes annually.
- It reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2,500 metric tons each year.
- The project was completed in 2021.
- The array is built on former pastureland, and sheep still graze beneath the panels.
The student wants to emphasize the environmental benefit of the project. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For note-synthesis questions in the Expression of Ideas domain, first underline the stated goal (for example, emphasize environmental benefit, economic impact, or historical context). Then scan the notes and mark which bullet(s) directly support that goal. Eliminate any answer choices that (1) ignore the most relevant note, (2) focus on less relevant details like dates or side facts, or (3) add ideas not supported by the notes. It is fine if the best answer includes extra accurate information, as long as it clearly centers the detail that matches the stated purpose.
Hints
Clarify the goal
Underline the phrase in the question that states the student’s purpose. What exactly is the student trying to emphasize?
Locate the relevant note
Among the four notes, which one talks most directly about how the project affects the environment, rather than about time, land use, or number of homes served?
Match purpose to choice
Look for the answer choice that uses the note you identified as environmental. Ignore choices that mainly restate the completion year, land details, or number of homes.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the task in the question
The prompt states that the student wants to emphasize the environmental benefit of the project. That means we must look for information specifically about how the project affects the environment (for example, reducing pollution or emissions), not just when it was built or how many homes it powers.
Find the most relevant note(s)
Look at the four bullet points in the notes and decide which one is most directly about environmental impact:
- Powers about 1,200 homes annually → about energy output and usefulness to people.
- Reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2,500 metric tons each year → about cutting pollution and helping the environment.
- Completed in 2021 → about time/completion date.
- Built on former pastureland where sheep still graze → about land use and farming.
The bullet about reducing carbon dioxide emissions is the clearest environmental benefit.
Match answer choices to the environmental note
Now check which answer choice actually uses the note about environmental benefit:
- Some choices focus on land use (pasture and sheep).
- Some focus on the number of homes powered.
- Some focus on the completion date only.
Only one choice includes the information about preventing a large amount of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. That choice also may include extra accurate detail (like the year completed), which is fine as long as it still highlights the environmental benefit.
Confirm the best choice
The choice that both mentions the project’s completion and clearly states that it prevents about 2,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year is Choice A: “Completed in 2021, the Webb Farm solar array prevents about 2,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.” This directly emphasizes the environmental benefit, so A is correct.