Rhetorical synthesis (SAT)

Question 1

Notes: • The Great Wall of China is over 21,000 km long. • Construction took place over many centuries. • Hadrian's Wall in Britain is about 117 km long. • It was built in about six years. The student wants to emphasise a difference in length between the two walls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Both the Great Wall of China and Hadrian's Wall were built long ago.
• B. The Great Wall was constructed over many centuries.
• C. At over 21,000 km, the Great Wall of China dwarfs Hadrian's Wall, which is only about 117 km long.
• D. Hadrian's Wall took about six years to build.

Question 2

Notes: • The Great Wall of China is over 21,000 km long. • Construction took place over many centuries. • Hadrian's Wall in Britain is about 117 km long. • It was built in about six years. The student wants to emphasise a difference in length between the two walls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. The Great Wall was constructed over many centuries.
• B. At over 21,000 km, the Great Wall of China dwarfs Hadrian's Wall, which is only about 117 km long.
• C. Both the Great Wall of China and Hadrian's Wall were built long ago.
• D. Hadrian's Wall took about six years to build.

Question 3

Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. The novel has been translated into 30 languages.
• B. Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.
• C. Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief.
• D. Small coastal towns appear in many novels.

Question 4

Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief.
• B. Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.
• C. Small coastal towns appear in many novels.
• D. The novel has been translated into 30 languages.

Question 5

Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. The novel has been translated into 30 languages.
• B. Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief.
• C. Small coastal towns appear in many novels.
• D. Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.

Question 6

Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• B. Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010.
• C. By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes.
• D. Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton.

Question 7

Notes: • Mary Anning (1799–1847) was a fossil collector in Lyme Regis, England. • She discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton. • As a woman, she was not allowed to join the Geological Society of London. The student wants to highlight the obstacles Anning faced. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Mary Anning lived in Lyme Regis from 1799 to 1847.
• B. Mary Anning discovered the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton.
• C. Despite her important discoveries, Mary Anning was barred from the Geological Society of London because she was a woman.
• D. Lyme Regis is in England and is known for fossils.

Question 8

Notes: • Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City. • They can regrow lost limbs, parts of their heart and even parts of their brain. • Scientists study them to learn about tissue regeneration. The student wants to explain why scientists are interested in axolotls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Axolotls live in lakes, and scientists live in cities.
• B. Many animals, including axolotls, are salamanders.
• C. Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration.
• D. Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City.

Question 9

Notes: • Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City. • They can regrow lost limbs, parts of their heart and even parts of their brain. • Scientists study them to learn about tissue regeneration. The student wants to explain why scientists are interested in axolotls. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Because axolotls can regrow limbs and even parts of their brain, scientists study them to understand tissue regeneration.
• B. Axolotls are salamanders native to lakes near Mexico City.
• C. Axolotls live in lakes, and scientists live in cities.
• D. Many animals, including axolotls, are salamanders.

Question 10

Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. The novel has been translated into 30 languages.
• B. Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief.
• C. Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.
• D. Small coastal towns appear in many novels.

Question 11

Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010.
• B. By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes.
• C. Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton.
• D. As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.

Question 12

Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• B. Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010.
• C. By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes.
• D. Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton.

Question 13

Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.
• B. The novel has been translated into 30 languages.
• C. Small coastal towns appear in many novels.
• D. Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief.

Question 14

Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton.
• B. As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• C. By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes.
• D. Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010.

Question 15

Notes: • In 2010, Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes. • By 2020, it had 85 km. • Over the same period, the number of daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000. The student wants to present a possible link between infrastructure and cycling. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Riverton had 12 km of bike lanes in 2010.
• B. As Riverton's bike lanes grew from 12 km to 85 km between 2010 and 2020, daily cycling trips rose from 2,000 to 11,000.
• C. By 2020, Riverton had 85 km of bike lanes.
• D. Cycling is a popular activity in many towns, including Riverton.

Question 16

Notes: • The novel was published in 1962. • It is set in a small coastal town. • It has been translated into 30 languages. • Critics praise its portrayal of grief. The student wants to introduce the novel to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. The novel has been translated into 30 languages.
• B. Critics praise the novel's portrayal of grief.
• C. Published in 1962 and translated into 30 languages, this novel set in a small coastal town is praised for its portrayal of grief.
• D. Small coastal towns appear in many novels.