Question 35·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Amita Patel is a marine biologist who specializes in coral reef conservation.
- She has called coral reefs the "rainforests of the sea" because of their extraordinary biodiversity.
- A 2021 study by Patel estimated that reefs provide shelter for nearly 25% of all marine species during some stage of their life cycles.
- Patel warns that rising ocean temperatures could cause up to 90% of reefs to bleach by 2050.
- "Protecting reefs is not optional; it's essential to the ocean's entire food web," she argues in a recent interview.
The student is writing an introduction that explains the ecological importance of coral reefs. Which choice most effectively incorporates Patel’s own words to achieve this purpose?
For rhetorical synthesis questions like this, first underline the writing goal in the prompt (here, explaining the ecological importance in an introduction) and any constraints (such as using the source’s own words). Then, scan the notes and mark which ones directly support that goal (e.g., biodiversity, many species supported) versus those that focus on threats, dates, or opinions. Finally, compare the answer choices: eliminate any that don’t use a direct quotation if one is required, and any that don’t match the stated purpose or tone (such as being mainly about danger or advocacy when you need a clear, descriptive explanation). This targeted matching is much faster and more accurate than trying to choose based on what sounds nicest.
Hints
Focus on the writing goal
Underline the phrase "explains the ecological importance of coral reefs." Which notes talk most directly about what reefs do for marine life and biodiversity, rather than about threats or opinions?
Pay attention to "Patel’s own words"
The question specifically asks to incorporate Patel’s own words. Which answer choices include a direct quotation from her, not just a summary or statistic?
Match content and tone to an introduction
An introduction usually gives a big-picture overview. Which quoted statement best gives a broad, clear sense of why reefs matter ecologically, instead of focusing mainly on danger or on urging action?
Look for biodiversity and scale
Ask yourself: which choice most clearly shows that reefs support a wide variety and large number of marine species, helping you understand their ecological importance?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the task and purpose
The question says the student is writing an introduction that explains the ecological importance of coral reefs and wants to incorporate Patel’s own words. So the correct sentence must:
- Fit an introductory, big-picture context.
- Focus on why reefs matter ecologically (their role in marine life/biodiversity).
- Use a direct quote from Patel, not just a summary or statistic.
Identify the most relevant notes
Look back at the notes and match them to the purpose:
- Note 2: Calls coral reefs the "rainforests of the sea" because of their extraordinary biodiversity.
- Note 3: Says reefs shelter nearly 25% of all marine species at some life stage.
- Note 4: Warns that 90% of reefs could bleach by 2050 (this is about a threat, not directly their importance).
- Note 5: Says protecting reefs is essential to the ocean's entire food web (this is more about an argument for protection).
For explaining ecological importance in an introduction, the focus should be on what reefs do for marine life and biodiversity, not mainly on future threats or advocacy.
Compare how each answer uses Patel’s words and supports the purpose
Now check each answer against the requirements:
- Choice A summarizes the bleaching warning (future damage). It does not quote her and focuses on a threat, not directly on their importance.
- Choice B refers to her 2021 study and gives a statistic about 25% of marine species, but again does not quote her; it is just a paraphrase.
- Choice C directly quotes Patel about protecting reefs being "not optional" because they are essential to the food web. This is a persuasive claim about protection, not a descriptive explanation of biodiversity.
- One remaining choice both quotes Patel and connects reefs to biodiversity and the many species they shelter, which is exactly what you want for explaining ecological importance in an introduction.
Select the sentence that best fits all criteria
The best choice is D) "As Patel reminds us, coral reefs are the "rainforests of the sea," sheltering nearly a quarter of all marine species at some stage of life." This option:
- Uses Patel’s own words with a vivid metaphor ("rainforests of the sea").
- Highlights extraordinary biodiversity and the large share of species reefs support.
- Clearly explains their ecological importance in a way that works well in an introduction.