Question 42·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- In 2023, UNESCO investigated the resilience of coral reefs after bleaching events.
- Bleaching occurs when corals expel their symbiotic algae, often because of rising water temperatures.
- The study found that reefs located adjacent to mangrove forests recovered 50 percent faster than reefs without nearby mangroves.
- Mangroves can shade coastal waters and keep temperatures lower, reducing thermal stress on corals.
- Bleaching events are becoming more frequent worldwide.
The student is preparing a brief for environmental policymakers who already understand what coral bleaching is but may be unaware of its connection to mangroves. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to achieve this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, first underline the goal and audience in the prompt (here, policymakers who already understand bleaching but may not know its connection to mangroves). Next, scan the notes to identify which details directly serve that goal—prioritize specific findings, numbers, and causes over background definitions. Then, eliminate answer choices that (1) ignore the stated purpose, (2) repeat information the audience already knows, or (3) leave out key, specific evidence from the notes. Finally, choose the sentence that is most precise, evidence-based, and tailored to the audience’s needs, not just one that is generally true.
Hints
Focus on the link, not the definition
The policymakers already understand what coral bleaching is. Look for a choice that highlights the relationship between mangroves and coral reef resilience, not one that spends time defining bleaching.
Use the most informative notes
Which notes in the list give new, specific information about how mangroves are connected to coral bleaching outcomes (such as recovery speed and environmental effects)?
Check for specificity and evidence
Among the choices that mention mangroves, which one gives clear, concrete evidence from the study and a plausible explanation for why mangroves affect reef resilience?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the task, purpose, and audience
The question asks which sentence a student should use in a brief for environmental policymakers.
- Policymakers already know what bleaching is.
- They may not know about the connection to mangroves. So the best sentence should focus on the link between mangroves and reef resilience, not on defining bleaching.
Decide which notes are most relevant
Look at the bullet-point notes and ask: which ones help explain the connection between mangroves and coral bleaching resilience?
- The definition of bleaching is not needed for this audience.
- The key findings for this goal are:
- A 2023 UNESCO study on reef resilience after bleaching.
- Reefs near mangroves recovered 50 percent faster than those without mangroves.
- Mangroves shade and cool coastal waters, reducing thermal stress on corals. These are the ideas the sentence should combine.
Test each option against the goal and notes
Now compare each answer choice to the goal:
- Choice A talks about what bleaching is and that it is more frequent. It never mentions mangroves or resilience, and it repeats information the audience already knows.
- Choice C mentions that reefs near mangroves benefit from shade and reduced thermal stress, but it does not reference the study or the 50 percent faster recovery.
- Choice D mentions UNESCO and mangroves lowering thermal stress, but it is vague: it doesn’t give the specific result about faster recovery or clearly tie it to reefs near mangroves after bleaching events. Only one option both uses the specific study result and explains how mangroves help.
Select the sentence that best fits purpose and audience
The only option that clearly:
- Cites the 2023 UNESCO study,
- States the specific finding that reefs near mangroves recovered 50 percent faster after bleaching events, and
- Explains a plausible reason (mangroves shade and cool surrounding waters), while focusing on the connection policymakers may not know, is choice B:
According to a 2023 UNESCO study, coral reefs near mangrove forests recovered from bleaching events 50 percent faster, likely because mangroves shade and cool surrounding waters.