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Difficulty: HardRhetorical Synthesis: Summarization and Generalization

While researching ancient Mesoamerican trade, a student takes the following notes:
* Obsidian is a volcanic glass that ancient Mesoamericans fashioned into sharp tools.
* Each volcanic source of obsidian possesses a unique trace element chemical signature.
* Archaeologists can identify the geographical origin of obsidian artifacts by analyzing their chemical composition.
* Archaeologist Dr. Elena Gomez analyzed the chemical signatures of obsidian blades excavated at the ancient Maya city of El Mirador.
* Gomez determined that the obsidian came from El Chayal, a volcanic source located over 300300 kilometers away.
* The study concluded that El Mirador engaged in long-distance trade during the Preclassic Maya period.

The student wants to summarize the study and its findings. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A
    Ancient Mesoamericans valued volcanic glass, known as obsidian, because they could fashion it into sharp tools.
  2. B
    Dr. Elena Gomez's study of obsidian blades at El Mirador relied on the fact that every volcanic source of obsidian has a unique trace element chemical signature.
  3. By chemically analyzing obsidian blades excavated at El Mirador, Dr. Elena Gomez determined they originated from a source over 300300 kilometers away, indicating that the ancient city engaged in long-distance trade.Answer
  4. D
    Dr. Elena Gomez analyzed obsidian blades from El Mirador and found that they were made of volcanic glass, suggesting that ancient Maya cities possessed advanced tools.

Answer

The choice that states Dr. Elena Gomez determined the obsidian blades originated from a source over 300300 kilometers away through chemical analysis, indicating long-distance trade, is correct.
The correct choice effectively summarizes the study and its findings by stating that Dr. Elena Gomez analyzed the chemical signatures of the obsidian blades from El Mirador and found they came from a source over 300300 kilometers away, which indicates that the city was part of a long-distance trade network.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the student's rhetorical goal.
The goal is to summarize Dr. Gomez's study and its findings.
This establishes the criteria that the correct choice must meet.
2
Analyze the notes for the study's details and findings.
The study involved analyzing the chemical signatures of obsidian blades at El Mirador, and the finding was that the obsidian came from over 300300 kilometers away, showing that the city engaged in long-distance trade.
This provides the factual content that must be present in the summary.
3
Evaluate the choices against the findings and the rhetorical goal.
The choice describing the chemical analysis of the blades showing they came from over 300300 kilometers away and indicated long-distance trade is the only one that summarizes both the study and its findings.
This identifies the correct choice and eliminates options that ignore the goal, focus on minor details, or mischaracterize the findings.

Key Concept

Rhetorical Synthesis: Summarization and Generalization
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Topics

Rhetorical Synthesis: Summarization and Generalization

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