Question 25·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The Voyager Golden Record is a gold-plated copper disc sent into space aboard the Voyager spacecraft.
- The record was launched in 1977 on both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
- A team led by astronomer Carl Sagan designed the record.
- The record includes sounds and images intended to represent life on Earth.
The student wants to identify who led the team that designed the Voyager Golden Record. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, underline (mentally) the exact goal in the question stem, then scan the notes for the one detail that directly addresses that goal. Pick the choice that uses that detail accurately and efficiently, avoiding options that are true but focus on a different note (extra facts like dates, definitions, or examples that don’t answer the specific task).
Hints
Look for a person’s name
The goal asks who led the team, so the best choice should include an individual’s name.
Match the role exactly
Find the note that mentions someone “led” the design team, and choose the option that repeats that idea clearly.
Avoid extra details
If two choices seem related, prefer the one that focuses on the leader rather than launch date or what the record contains.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the goal
The sentence should identify who led the team that designed the Voyager Golden Record.
Find the matching note
One note says: “A team led by astronomer Carl Sagan designed the record.” A correct sentence should include Carl Sagan and connect him to leading the design team.
Choose the option that includes only the needed information
The only choice that directly names the leader and describes his role is:
A team led by astronomer Carl Sagan designed the Voyager Golden Record.