Question 43·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Seattle, Washington, averages about 38 inches of rain per year.
- Phoenix, Arizona, averages about 9 inches of rain per year.
The student wants to compare the average annual rainfall of the two cities. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions, first underline the task in the prompt (here, “compare the average annual rainfall of the two cities”). Then, quickly eliminate any choices that: (1) ignore this goal, (2) use only part of the provided information, or (3) add new, unrelated details. Among the remaining options, choose the one that uses the given information about both items and makes the relationship or contrast between them clearest and most direct.
Hints
Restate the goal in your own words
The question asks for a sentence that compares the two cities based on the information in the notes. Think about what a comparison must include.
Focus on the key detail from the notes
Look closely at what the notes actually say. What specific measurement is given for each city?
Check which choices use information from both bullets
Ask yourself: Which options talk about both cities using the information from the notes, and which talk about only one city or something else?
Look for clear comparison language
Among the options that mention both cities and the right detail, see if any of them use wording that clearly shows a contrast between the two.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the task in the question
The prompt says the student "wants to compare the average annual rainfall of the two cities." This means the best answer must:
- Talk about both cities
- Focus on their average annual rainfall
- Make the comparison between them clear.
Check which options use information about rainfall
Look at each choice and ask: Does it mention rainfall?
- Choice B mentions rainfall, but only for Seattle.
- Choice C mentions rainfall, but only for Phoenix.
- Choice D talks about states and climates, not rainfall. Only one option talks about rainfall for both Seattle and Phoenix.
Check which option actually compares the two cities
To compare, a sentence should present information about both cities in a way that shows a contrast or relationship (for example, using words like "while" or "than"). Among the choices, only one sentence includes the rainfall numbers for both cities and uses a contrasting phrase to show that one is much drier than the other.
Select the choice that fulfills the goal
The choice that effectively uses relevant information from the notes to compare the average annual rainfall of the two cities is:
Seattle, Washington, averages about 38 inches of rain per year, while the much drier Phoenix, Arizona, averages about 9 inches per year.