Question 55·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
-
In 2009, scientist Maya Patel developed a biodegradable packaging film.
It reduced plastic waste.
It extended the shelf life of produce. -
In 2015, engineer Luis Romero designed compostable coffee pods.
They reduced plastic waste.
They made home brewing more convenient.
The student wants to emphasize a similarity between Patel’s innovation and Romero’s design. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For “notes to sentence” questions that ask to emphasize a similarity, first underline the key task word (like similarity or difference). Then quickly list what is said about each person or thing and circle any overlapping detail. Next, scan the answer choices and immediately eliminate any that (1) mention only one of the subjects, (2) focus on unique details instead of shared ones, or (3) use contrast words like whereas or however when the question asks for a similarity. The correct choice will combine both subjects and the shared point clearly and directly.
Hints
Focus on the task word
Underline or note the word “similarity.” Which answer choices clearly talk about something the two inventions have in common, rather than describing just one or contrasting them?
Compare the two sets of notes
List what is said about Patel and what is said about Romero. Which detail appears in both lists?
Check the structure of each choice
Look for answer choices that mention both Patel and Romero in the same sentence. Then ask: does that sentence highlight the shared detail you found in the notes?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the question is asking you to do
Look at the specific task: “emphasize a similarity between Patel’s innovation and Romero’s design.” This means the correct answer must:
- Mention both Patel and Romero, and
- Focus on something they share, not something that is different or unique to only one.
Find the overlapping information in the notes
Scan the notes for Patel:
- Biodegradable packaging film
- Reduced plastic waste
- Extended shelf life of produce
Scan the notes for Romero:
- Compostable coffee pods
- Reduced plastic waste
- Made home brewing more convenient
Ask: What point appears in both sets of bullets? That overlapping point is the best candidate for a similarity.
Match answer choices to the task and the overlap
Now check each choice against the requirements:
- Does it mention both Patel and Romero?
- Does it focus on the shared idea you found in the notes?
- Does it avoid turning the sentence into a contrast or focusing only on one person?
Eliminate any choice that talks about only one inventor, that emphasizes differences instead of similarities, or that ignores the overlapping detail from the notes.
Select the sentence that states the shared feature for both
The only choice that (1) includes both Patel’s film and Romero’s coffee pods and (2) directly states the idea that appears in both sets of notes—namely, that they reduced plastic waste—is: “Patel’s biodegradable packaging film and Romero’s compostable coffee pods both reduced plastic waste.”