SAT Rhetorical Synthesis
Use bulleted notes to write the sentence that hits a stated goal.
How to score it
- Read the goal first and underline every requirement in it — sometimes there are two.
- Eliminate any choice that's accurate but doesn't do the stated goal.
- The winner satisfies the whole goal; near-misses satisfy only part.
Common traps
- True to the notes but accomplishes the wrong goal.
- Satisfies one requirement of a two-part goal.
- Adds a fact that isn't in the notes.
The 1 question type, with real examples
Use notes to accomplish a goal
“Which choice most effectively uses information from the student's notes to accomplish the goal?”
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: • Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. • Chlorophyll is the pigment in plant cells that absorbs light. • Chlorophyll appears green because it reflects green wavelengths of light. • Red and blue wavelengths are absorbed most efficiently by chlorophyll. • This selective absorption explains why plants appear green to the human eye. • Scientists use this principle to design artificial lighting systems for indoor agriculture.
The student wants to explain why plants appear green. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
- AChlorophyll is the pigment in plant cells that absorbs light for photosynthesis.
- BPlants appear green because chlorophyll reflects green wavelengths while absorbing red and blue wavelengths.✓
- CScientists design artificial lighting systems for indoor agriculture based on how plants absorb light.
- DChlorophyll absorbs light efficiently, appearing green to reflect wavelengths.
Choice B is the best answer because it explains why plants appear green by noting that chlorophyll reflects green wavelengths while absorbing red and blue wavelengths, directly addressing the goal.
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