Rhetorical Synthesis Practice

Sample questions

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1. Sample 1difficulty 2/5

   While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

   <ul> <li>Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art.</li> <li>It blends elements of fighting, dance, music, and acrobatics.</li> <li>It developed among enslaved Africans in Brazil during the colonial period.</li> <li>It is performed in a circle called a "roda."</li> <li>In 2014, UNESCO recognized capoeira as part of intangible cultural heritage.</li> </ul> The student wants to introduce capoeira to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

   Which choice most effectively makes the student's point?

   • A

     It developed during the colonial period.

   • B

     Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends fighting, dance, music, and acrobatics.

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   • C

     UNESCO recognized capoeira in 2014.

   • D

     Capoeira is performed in a circle called a 'roda.'

   Why

   An introduction names and identifies the subject. Choice B defines capoeira and notes its hybrid nature. The others assume familiarity.

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2. Sample 2difficulty 2/5

   While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

   <ul> <li>The pomegranate is a fruit native to the Middle East and Central Asia.</li> <li>It has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.</li> <li>The fruit contains hundreds of seeds called arils.</li> <li>It is rich in antioxidants.</li> <li>It appears in Greek, Persian, and biblical mythology.</li> </ul> The student wants to introduce the pomegranate to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

   Which choice most effectively makes the student's point?

   • A

     Pomegranate seeds are called arils.

   • B

     The pomegranate, a fruit native to the Middle East and Central Asia, has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.

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   • C

     It appears in Greek, Persian, and biblical mythology.

   • D

     It is rich in antioxidants.

   Why

   An introduction defines and contextualizes. Choice B identifies the pomegranate, gives origin, and notes long cultivation. The others assume familiarity.

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3. Sample 3difficulty 2/5

   While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

   <ul> <li>Quartz is one of the most common minerals on Earth.</li> <li>Chemically, it is silicon dioxide (SiO2).</li> <li>It forms hexagonal crystals.</li> <li>It is used in jewelry, electronics, and timekeeping.</li> <li>It rates 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.</li> </ul> The student wants to introduce quartz to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

   Which choice most effectively makes the student's point?

   • A

     Quartz is used in jewelry, electronics, and timekeeping.

   • B

     Quartz, chemically silicon dioxide (SiO2), is one of the most common minerals on Earth.

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   • C

     Quartz forms hexagonal crystals.

   • D

     Quartz rates 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

   Why

   An introduction defines and gives the broad identifier. Choice B names quartz, gives its chemical identity, and notes its commonality. The others give properties or uses without identification.

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4. Sample 4difficulty 2/5

   While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

   <ul> <li>The kakapo is a large, flightless parrot from New Zealand.</li> <li>It is the world's only flightless parrot.</li> <li>Adults can weigh up to 4 kg.</li> <li>As of 2023, fewer than 250 individuals survived.</li> <li>Conservation programs have begun increasing the population.</li> </ul> The student wants to introduce the kakapo to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

   Which choice most effectively makes the student's point?

   • A

     Adults can weigh up to 4 kg.

   • B

     Conservation programs have begun increasing the population.

   • C

     Fewer than 250 kakapos survived as of 2023.

   • D

     The kakapo is a large, flightless parrot from New Zealand and is the world's only flightless parrot.

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   Why

   An introduction names the subject and identifies it. Choice A names the kakapo, classifies it, gives location, and adds a defining trait. The others assume the reader already knows what a kakapo is.

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5. Sample 5difficulty 2/5

   While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

   <ul> <li>Tofu is a food made from coagulated soy milk.</li> <li>It originated in China over 2,000 years ago.</li> <li>It comes in textures from silken to extra firm.</li> <li>It is high in protein and low in calories.</li> <li>It is widely used in East and Southeast Asian cuisines.</li> </ul> The student wants to introduce tofu to an audience unfamiliar with it. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

   Which choice most effectively makes the student's point?

   • A

     It is widely used in many cuisines.

   • B

     Tofu is high in protein and low in calories.

   • C

     Tofu is sold in textures from silken to extra firm.

   • D

     Tofu, a food made from coagulated soy milk, originated in China over 2,000 years ago and is widely used in East and Southeast Asian cuisines.

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   Why

   An introduction defines and contextualizes. Choice B defines tofu, gives origin, and notes use. The others assume the audience knows what tofu is.

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