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Difficulty: MediumIdioms and Phrasal Expressions in Context

In the mid-nineteenth century, the newly proposed theory of evolutionary biology faced intense skepticism from the scientific establishment, which favored static models of nature. Traditionalists argued that species were immutable, dismissing early evolutionary ideas as speculative philosophy. However, as paleontologists unearthed more fossil evidence showing anatomical transitions over time, the new theory began to gain ground. By the turn of the century, what had once been a fringe hypothesis was widely accepted as the foundation of modern biology.

In the context of the passage, what does the phrase 'gain ground' most nearly mean?

  1. A
    acquire physical land or territory
  2. B
    decrease the physical distance to a target
  3. win popularity and acceptanceAnswer
  4. D
    prove its conclusions beyond any doubt

Answer

win popularity and acceptance
The correct answer is 'win popularity and acceptance'. The passage describes a shift in how the scientific establishment viewed evolutionary biology, moving from initial 'skepticism' and being a 'fringe hypothesis' to being 'widely accepted.' In this context, saying the theory 'began to gain ground' means it was starting to win support and become accepted.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the target phrase 'gain ground' in the third sentence of the passage and examine the surrounding context clues.
The passage contrasts the initial 'intense skepticism' and status as a 'fringe hypothesis' with the fact that the theory was eventually 'widely accepted as the foundation of modern biology.'
Tracking how the perception of the theory shifts from skepticism to acceptance helps clarify what progress the theory made.
2
Evaluate the options to find the figurative definition of the idiom that matches this progress.
The meaning of gaining support or wining popularity and acceptance fits the transition from rejection to acceptance described in the text.
This confirms that the phrase is used to describe the growing intellectual influence and acceptance of the theory.

Key Concept

Determining the meaning of idioms and phrasal expressions in context by using surrounding evidence and structural shifts.
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Topics

Idioms and Phrasal Expressions in Context

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