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Rhetorical Synthesis SAT question

Reading and Writing · Expression of Ideas · Medium · Answer it here, explanation included.

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

  • Minnesota defines a lake as an inland body of water of at least 10 acres.
  • Wisconsin’s definition of a lake doesn’t take size into account.
  • By its own definition, Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes, many smaller than 10 acres.
  • By Minnesota’s definition, Wisconsin has only about 6,000 lakes.

The student wants to contrast Minnesota’s definition of a lake with Wisconsin’s. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

ExplanationShow

Choice D is the best answer. The sentence contrasts Minnesota’s definition of a lake with Wisconsin’s, explaining that Minnesota’s definition (which takes size into account) is more restrictive than Wisconsin’s definition (which doesn’t).

Choice A is incorrect. While the sentence notes that Wisconsin’s definition of a lake doesn’t take size into account, it doesn’t contrast Minnesota’s definition with Wisconsin’s. Choice B is incorrect. The sentence states that Wisconsin’s definition of a lake is different from Minnesota’s, but it doesn’t clarify how they differ. In other words, it doesn’t contrast Minnesota’s definition with Wisconsin’s. Choice C is incorrect. The sentence indicates how many lakes Wisconsin has according to Minnesota’s definition of a lake, but it doesn’t clarify how the states’ definitions differ. In other words, it doesn’t contrast Minnesota’s definition with Wisconsin’s.

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