Ultimate Guide to Rhetorical Synthesis SAT Reading and Writing Questions for ESL Students

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Simple Tip to Save Time on Rhetorical Synthesis SAT Questions

Although rhetorical syntheses SAT questions may appear long and they are confusingly named, they can be one of the simplest types of questions.

Some students advise bypassing the notes and just finding the correct answer just using the question (as we have done in the ‘how to answer’ sections below).

You may not be able to do this on all rhetorical synthesis SAT questions, but if you can’t then you can easily just read the notes after reading the question anyway.

Rhetorical Synthesis SAT Questions

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

In 2013, paleontology professor Hesham Sallam and his students from Mansoura University in Egypt made a discovery.
The team found a partial dinosaur skeleton at a site in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis.
The skeleton belonged to a dinosaur species that lived approximately 80 million years ago.
The new species was named Mansourasaurus to recognize the team that discovered it.

The student wants to explain the origin of the species’ name. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Choose 1 answer:

A The new species was named Mansourasaurus to recognize the team that discovered it, a professor and students from Mansoura University.
B Mansourasaurus, a species that lived approximately 80 million years ago, was discovered in 2013 by Egyptian paleontologist Hesham Sallam and a team of university students.
C Mansourasaurus, a new species discovered in Egypt in 2013, lived approximately 80 million years ago.
D A partial dinosaur skeleton found in Egypt’s Dakhla Oasis belonged to a species named Mansourasaurus.

How to answer. The purpose is to explain the origin of the name which is seen in A. B gives other details, as does c and d. So A is the clear answer.

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

Yellowstone is a national park in the northwest United States.
In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced into the park.
Since then, the number of gray wolves in the park has stabilized at roughly 100.
This number is believed to be the park’s carrying capacity.
Carrying capacity describes the maximum number of a species that a specific environment’s resources can sustain over time.

The student wants to specify the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Choose 1 answer:

A As of 1995, there were gray wolves living in Yellowstone, a national park in the northwest United States.
B Yellowstone is a national park that has roughly 100 gray wolves living in it.
C The carrying capacity of an environment, such as Yellowstone, describes the maximum number of species that the environment can sustain over time.
D Gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone, a national park in the northwest United States, in 1995.

How to answer. The question says the student wants to say the amount of wolves and this information is only in B. In A, C and D state when they were reintroduced and the amount of species but not what the question states. So B is the answer.

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

Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms.
This light is produced by chemical reactions in organisms’ cells.
Jellyfish emit flashes of blue light.
This behavior serves to startle predators.
Black dragonfish emit a steady red light.
This behavior helps them locate prey in deep waters.

The student wants to emphasize a difference between the behavior of jellyfish and that of black dragonfish. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Choose 1 answer:

A Black dragonfish emit a steady red light, which helps them locate prey in deep waters.
B Both jellyfish and black dragonfish are organisms that emit light, which is produced by chemical reactions in these organisms’ cells.
C Jellyfish emit light to startle predators, whereas black dragonfish do so to locate prey.
D Bioluminescence, the emission of light by living organisms, results from chemical reactions in organisms’ cells.

How to answer. The question says the student wants to highlight the difference between jellyfish and dragonfish behavior. A talks about dragonfish, B mentions joint properties, C does givea difference, and D is general. So C is the answer.

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

Angora wool is a type of fiber that is harvested from rabbits.
It is known for its long, silky, and soft fibers.
Angora is often blended with other types of wool to produce warmer and softer clothing.
China is the world’s largest producer of angora wool.
Angora does not contain lanolin, a natural oil found in sheep’s wool that can cause allergic reactions.

The student wants to emphasize the unique advantages of angora wool. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Choose 1 answer:

A Angora wool is a type of fiber commonly produced in China and often blended with other types of wool.
B Angora is known for its long, silky, and soft fibers and for being less allergenic than sheep’s wool.
C Angora is different from other types of wool because it comes from rabbits rather than sheep.
D China produces most of the world’s angora wool, which is a type of fiber that is often used in clothing.

How to answer. The question says the student wants to show unique advantages. Option A is general, B matches the question, C says it is different, but does not say that this is a benefit, and D, like A, is also general. So option B is the answer.

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

Some US reformers sought to improve society in the 1800s by building utopias.
A utopia is a community intended to represent a perfect society based on a specific set of principles.
One such community was Brook Farm near Boston, Massachusetts.
It was founded in 1841 by writer George Ripley.
Ripley wrote in a letter that his goal for Brook Farm was “to guarantee the highest mental freedom, by providing all with labor, adapted to their tastes and talents, and securing to them the fruits of their industry.”

The student wants to explain the goal of Brook Farm using a quotation from George Ripley. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Choose 1 answer:

A Founded by George Ripley near Boston, Massachusetts, Brook Farm was part of a trend in the 1800s, when reformers in the United States built utopias.
B Utopias, such as Brook Farm, founded by George Ripley in 1841, were based on a specific set of principles intended to create a perfect society.
C Established in 1841, Brook Farm was a utopian community created to “guarantee the highest mental freedom, by providing all with labor… [and] the fruits of their industry,” according to founder George Ripley.
D In a letter, writer George Ripley explained his goal to “guarantee the highest mental freedom.”

How to answer. The question says the answer should use a quote about the goal of Brook Farm. Both A and B have no quote, but both C and D do contain a quote about goals. Option C refers to Brook Farm, which D does not, therefore C is the correct answer.

9 LESSONS

Digital SAT English

gain a clear understanding of the question types, structure, and strategies.

feel ready to use official SAT resources effectively because you will know what to look for and how to approach questions.

They are equipped with essential information, knowledge and strategies to confidently attempt SAT-level practice questions and eventually full tests — transforming from beginners to focused SAT learners.

Rhetorical Synthesis SAT Official Explanations

(Choice A, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. It explains where the dinosaur’s name came from.
(Choice B, Incorrect) This choice does not explain the origin of the dinosaur’s name.
(Choice C, Incorrect) This choice does not explain the origin of the dinosaur’s name.
(Choice D, Incorrect) This choice does not explain the origin of the dinosaur’s name.

(Choice A, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t effectively specify the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone. It mentions the year they were reintroduced but not how many there are currently.
(Choice B, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. It uses relevant information from the third bullet point to state the approximate number of gray wolves in Yellowstone.
(Choice C, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t effectively specify the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone. It defines the term carrying capacity but doesn’t connect it to the specific number of gray wolves currently living in the park.
(Choice D, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t effectively specify the number of gray wolves in Yellowstone. It mentions the year they were reintroduced but not how many there are currently.

(Choice A, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t emphasize a difference between jellyfish and black dragonfish. It only mentions the behavior of black dragonfish. It doesn’t compare it to the behavior of jellyfish.
(Choice B, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t emphasize a difference between jellyfish and black dragonfish. It mentions a similarity between the two types of organisms rather than contrasting their behaviors.
(Choice C, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. It compares the behaviors of jellyfish and black dragonfish, highlighting that, while they both emit light, they do so for different reasons.
(Choice D, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t emphasize a difference between jellyfish and black dragonfish. It only provides a general definition of bioluminescence and never mentions jellyfish or black dragonfish.

(Choice A, Incorrect) .This choice doesn’t emphasize the unique benefits of angora wool. Instead, it simply describes what angora wool is and where it comes from.
(Choice B, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. It emphasizes unique benefits of angora wool, such as being “silky”, “soft”, and “allergy-friendly” (“allergy-friendly” meaning less likely to cause allergic reactions).
(Choice C, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t emphasize the benefits of angora wool. Although it mentions what makes angora wool unique–that it comes from rabbits rather than sheep–it doesn’t describe any benefits of angora wool.
(Choice D, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t emphasize the benefits of angora wool. Instead, it simply describes what angora wool is and where it comes from.

(Choice A, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t explain the goal of Brook Farm using a quotation from George Ripley. It provides some background information about Brook Farm, but it doesn’t explain its goals or include Ripley’s words.
(Choice B, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t explain the goal of Brook Farm using a quotation from George Ripley. It defines what a utopia is but doesn’t use Ripley’s words to describe his vision for Brook Farm.
(Choice C, Checked, Correct) This is the best choice. It explains the goal of Brook Farm—to provide mental freedom to all by engaging individuals in labor suited to their interests—using a quotation from George Ripley.
(Choice D, Incorrect) This choice doesn’t explain the goal of Brook Farm using a quotation from George Ripley. It only mentions part of Ripley’s goal, and it doesn’t mention Brook Farm at all.

Rhetorical Synthesis FAQ for the Digital SAT Reading and Writing

What is rhetorical synthesis on the SAT?
Rhetorical synthesis on the SAT test is a type of question where you must analyze information provided in two short passages or perspectives and then synthesize them. Instead of simply summarizing, you look at how ideas combine, overlap, or differ. These sat questions test whether you can identify similarities or differences, highlight connections between different sources, and choose the correct answer. Mastering rhetorical synthesis is an important part of digital sat reading and writing because it shows that you can combine ideas effectively.

How to do rhetorical synthesis?
To do rhetorical synthesis on the digital SAT reading and writing test, start by carefully reading the bullet points and the prompt. Then, analyze the perspective of each passage, paying attention to similarities or differences in argument or tone. Next, synthesize by combining ideas from both sources into a clear understanding. The goal is not to write an essay but to select the best answer choice that captures the relationship between the passages. With consistent sat practice and practice test review, you can master rhetorical synthesis skills and improve your overall test prep.

What are the 5 elements of a rhetorical analysis?
The five elements of rhetorical analysis are purpose, audience, context, strategies, and evidence. When applied to rhetorical synthesis questions on the digital sat, these elements help you evaluate how authors present their perspectives. You consider the purpose of each passage, the audience being addressed, the context in which the ideas are presented, the strategies used to persuade, and the evidence provided. Understanding these elements makes it easier to analyze information provided in sat reading and writing practice, combine ideas across passages, and choose the correct answer choice. This is central to mastering rhetorical synthesis skills in the new digital SAT.