Question 27·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has compiled the following notes:
- In a 2021 field experiment published in Ecology Letters, entomologist Dr. Alberto Ortiz observed that “blue-rich LED lighting can alter nighttime behavior patterns of moths.”
- A 2023 meta-analysis by ecophysiologist Dr. Priya Sharma concluded that “artificial night lighting is proving catastrophic for insect circadian rhythms, leading to population declines.”
- According to a municipal report, the city of Phoenix replaced over 100,000 high-pressure sodium streetlamps with 4,000-kelvin LEDs in 2020, prompting resident complaints about glare.
- Dr. Sharma added that “even modest reductions in skyglow could allow nocturnal insects to rebound within a decade.”
The student wants to include a quotation that most clearly emphasizes the disruptive impact of LED streetlights on insects’ internal clocks. Which choice most effectively fulfills this purpose?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, start by underlining the exact purpose words in the question (for example, “disruptive impact” and “internal clocks”). Then, quickly scan the notes for phrases that match those ideas as literally and specifically as possible (here, “circadian rhythms” for internal clocks and strong negative wording like “catastrophic” for disruption). Finally, eliminate options that are only partially related (e.g., they mention LEDs or insects but not the specific effect or tone the question asks for) and choose the one that best and most directly addresses the stated purpose.
Hints
Focus on the exact goal
Underline the key parts of the question: the quote must show a disruptive impact on insects’ internal clocks, not just any effect of light.
Find the “internal clocks” language in the notes
Scan the notes for any scientific term that matches insects’ internal clocks. Which note names that biological process directly?
Consider how strong the impact sounds
Among the notes that are at least somewhat relevant, ask: which one uses the strongest negative wording about how harmful the lighting is to insects?
Step-by-step Explanation
Clarify the student’s purpose
First, restate what the question is asking for: a quotation that most clearly emphasizes the disruptive impact of LED streetlights on insects’ internal clocks.
Key ideas to underline:
- "disruptive impact"
- "LED streetlights" (a type of artificial night lighting)
- "insects’ internal clocks" (this means their circadian rhythms)
- Strong negative effect (disruption, harm, or damage).
Match “internal clocks” to wording in the notes
Next, look through the notes for any phrase that clearly connects to internal clocks.
- One note mentions that artificial night lighting is catastrophic for insect circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are the scientific term for internal biological clocks.
- Another note talks about nighttime behavior patterns of moths but does not mention internal clocks or rhythms.
- The city report is about residents’ complaints, not insect biology.
- A final note discusses insects’ ability to rebound, which is about recovery, not disruption.
Only one note directly names circadian rhythms, so that note is the best match for the “internal clocks” part of the purpose.
Check for emphasis on disruption and severity
Now, among the notes, look for how strongly the impact is described.
- The note about circadian rhythms calls the effect "catastrophic," which is very strong language and clearly shows a severe disruptive impact.
- The moth behavior note only says lighting can alter behavior; that is weaker and more general.
- The city report is about human complaints of glare, not insect harm.
- The rebound note is optimistic, focusing on potential recovery instead of current disruption.
So the note that mentions circadian rhythms and uses the word "catastrophic" best emphasizes a disruptive impact on internal clocks.
Select the answer that directly matches this note
Finally, choose the answer option that quotes the note about artificial night lighting being catastrophic for insect circadian rhythms. That option is:
B) Sharma’s 2023 meta-analysis warns that “artificial night lighting is proving catastrophic for insect circadian rhythms, leading to population declines.”