Read the passage below. Identify the single word that most precisely and clearly completes the sentence to maintain the formal, academic tone of the passage. Write the correct word in the blank.
Answer:Although many nineteenth-century botanists believed that carnivorous plants were a bizarre anomaly of nature, Charles Darwin argued that their specialized leaves were highly evolved adaptations for nutrient-poor soils. In his 1875 book *Insectivorous Plants*, Darwin detailed how these species capture prey to 【supplement】 their meager intake of nitrogen from the soil, rather than relying solely on root absorption.
Answer
The correct answer is 'supplement' (or 'augment'). These words precisely describe adding to a meager supply of nitrogen rather than replacing root absorption, which matches the academic tone of the passage.
The correct answer 'supplement' (or 'augment') precisely conveys that prey capture is used to add to the meager nitrogen absorbed through the roots, rather than replacing root absorption entirely. This choice matches the passage's formal, scientific register.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Selecting the most precise word that matches the tone, context, and exact meaning required by the sentence.