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Expression of IdeasHardUsing notes to accomplish a rhetorical goal

Expression of Ideas practice question

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: - A reusable plastic bag must be used about 10 times to offset the environmental impact of producing it, compared with a single-use plastic bag. - A cotton bag must be used about 130 times to offset its production impact. - Surveys suggest most people use a cotton bag around 50 times before discarding it.

The student wants to make a recommendation and support it with a reason. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A. Shoppers who own a cotton bag should use it well over a hundred times, because it takes about 130 uses to offset the impact of producing it.Correct
  2. B. A cotton bag must be used about 130 times to offset the impact of producing it.
  3. C. Most people use a cotton bag around 50 times before discarding it.
  4. D. Shoppers should choose single-use plastic bags, since they need only 10 uses to offset their impact.

Answer: A. Shoppers who own a cotton bag should use it well over a hundred times, because it takes about 130 uses to offset the impact of producing it.

Choice A tells the reader what to do and gives the figure from the notes that justifies it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. A cotton bag must be used about 130 times to offset the impact of producing it.
This is a fact with no recommendation attached.
C. Most people use a cotton bag around 50 times before discarding it.
This is a survey finding, not advice.
D. Shoppers should choose single-use plastic bags, since they need only 10 uses to offset their impact.
This misreads the notes: the 10-use figure is for REUSABLE plastic bags, and nothing in the notes recommends single-use bags.

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