Question 81·Hard·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has collected the following notes:
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Lake Baikal (Russia): volume 23,600 cubic kilometers; surface area 31,722 square kilometers; holds about 20% of the world’s unfrozen surface fresh water.
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Lake Superior (North America): volume 12,100 cubic kilometers; surface area 82,100 square kilometers; holds about 10% of the world’s unfrozen surface fresh water.
The student wants to highlight how Lake Baikal stores considerably more water than Lake Superior even though it covers a much smaller surface area. Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to achieve this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis, underline the exact goal (here: smaller area + greater volume). Then verify which option (1) includes both comparisons and (2) uses the notes’ numbers accurately without swapping them or weakening the intended contrast.
Hints
Restate the goal
You need a sentence that shows both: Baikal has smaller surface area and larger water volume than Superior.
Check the area numbers
Baikal’s surface area is 31,722 and Superior’s is 82,100 square kilometers. The right choice should reflect that comparison correctly.
Check the volume numbers
Baikal’s volume is 23,600 and Superior’s is 12,100 cubic kilometers. Watch for choices that swap these.
Evaluate the wording of the contrast
The goal says “considerably more water,” so avoid choices that describe the difference as small or minor.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the goal
The student’s goal is to emphasize a contrast: Lake Baikal has much more water (volume) even though it has a much smaller surface area than Lake Superior.
Pull the key comparisons from the notes
From the notes:
- Surface area: Baikal 31,722 vs. Superior 82,100 square kilometers (Baikal is less than half).
- Volume: Baikal 23,600 vs. Superior 12,100 cubic kilometers (Baikal is nearly twice).
Eliminate choices that misuse numbers or weaken the contrast
Eliminate any choice that:
- Swaps the lakes’ area or volume numbers, or
- Describes the volume difference as small (it’s nearly double), or
- Fails to clearly set up the “smaller area but more water” contrast.
Select the choice that accurately states both comparisons
The choice that correctly and directly highlights “smaller surface area” and “nearly twice the water volume” is:
Although Lake Baikal’s surface area is 31,722 square kilometers—less than half of Lake Superior’s 82,100—Baikal holds 23,600 cubic kilometers of water, nearly twice Superior’s 12,100.