Question 56·200 Super-Hard SAT Reading Questions·Expression of Ideas
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) can detect seismic vibrations in water.
- A study led by Dr. Liu used laser Doppler vibrometry to measure frogs’ inner-ear sensitivity.
- The study found frogs detect frequencies below 100 Hz, helpful for sensing predators.
- Prior research on amphibian vibration detection was limited to terrestrial environments.
- Findings suggest aquatic seismic detection evolved independently of terrestrial vibration sensing.
The student wants to highlight how this study broadens scientific understanding beyond previous research. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis, identify the exact purpose (here: showing how the study goes beyond earlier research), then choose the option that uses the notes to make that purpose explicit. The best answer typically pairs the prior limitation with the new contribution in one sentence; eliminate choices that are factual but emphasize method, applications, or narrower implications instead of the stated goal.
Hints
Find the “before vs. now” notes
Which bullet describes what earlier research was limited to, and which bullet describes what this study adds that earlier work didn’t cover?
Look for a clear contrast
Prefer an option that explicitly contrasts terrestrial-only prior research with underwater vibration detection.
Watch for choices that change the focus
If an option spends most of its time on methods, predator avoidance, or a side implication, it may be true but not the best for the student’s stated purpose.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the goal
The student wants a sentence that highlights how the new study expands scientific understanding beyond earlier research. So the best choice should (1) reference the limits of earlier work and (2) show what new knowledge this study adds.
Match the most relevant notes to that goal
The key “past vs. new” notes are:
- Earlier research: amphibian vibration detection research was limited to terrestrial environments.
- New study: African clawed frogs can detect seismic vibrations in water (including low frequencies below 100 Hz).
A strong synthesis sentence should contrast land-only prior work with the new underwater finding.
Evaluate the choices by what they emphasize
Choices that focus mainly on method (laser Doppler vibrometry), application (predator avoidance), or a narrower implication (independent evolution) are less effective if they don’t foreground the study’s expansion beyond land-only research into aquatic detection.
Choose the option that clearly shows expansion beyond prior research
The best choice is: "Unlike earlier work limited to terrestrial environments, the new study shows African clawed frogs can sense low-frequency seismic vibrations in water, expanding scientists’ understanding of amphibian seismic detection."