Question 49·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist.
- In 1977, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement.
- The Green Belt Movement focuses on tree planting and women's empowerment.
- Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
The student wants to indicate the name of the organization Maathai founded and its primary focus. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions with notes, first underline exactly what the question asks you to convey (for example, a person’s role, an organization’s name and purpose, or a cause-and-effect relationship). Then, scan the notes to find the specific bullets that provide that information. Eliminate any answer choices that use true facts from other bullets but do not directly address the stated goal, or that leave out part of what’s requested. Choose the option that (1) includes all required details, (2) comes only from the notes, and (3) avoids irrelevant information that doesn’t help accomplish the goal.
Hints
Clarify what the student wants to say
Underline the key parts of the task: the student wants to indicate (1) the name of the organization Maathai founded and (2) its primary focus. Any correct answer must contain these two pieces of information.
Match the task to specific notes
Look at the bullet points and find which ones tell you which organization Maathai founded and what that organization focuses on. Ignore details that are just about her biography or awards.
Test each answer choice
For each option, ask: Does it actually name the organization? and Does it clearly state what that organization focuses on? If either part is missing, that choice cannot be correct.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the task in your own words
The question asks for a sentence that (1) names the organization Maathai founded and (2) states that organization’s primary focus. The best choice must include both pieces of information.
Identify which notes contain the needed details
From the notes, use the bullet about what Maathai founded to get the organization’s name, and use the bullet describing what that organization focuses on to get its primary focus. Ignore notes about awards or extra biography unless they help the stated goal.
Eliminate choices that miss part of the goal
Check each option against the goal:
- If it doesn’t name the organization, eliminate it.
- If it doesn’t fully state the organization’s focus, eliminate it.
- If it adds unrelated details (like awards) instead of the focus, it’s not the most effective.
Select the choice that includes both required details
The choice that names the organization and states its primary focus is:
"Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which focuses on tree planting and women's empowerment."