Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank with the word that best preserves the logical support and cause-and-effect relationship established in the text.
Answer:Inasmuch as the archival ledgers meticulously documented every grain shipment entering the port over a fifty-year period, economic historians were able to 【substantiate】 their thesis that maritime trade had remained robust despite frequent regional conflicts.
Answer
The word filling the blank must mean to provide evidence for, validate, or prove true, such as 'substantiate' or 'corroborate'.
The introductory structural signal 'Inasmuch as' creates a cause-and-effect framework where the existence of comprehensive archival records logically enables historians to prove or validate their academic thesis. Words such as 'substantiate', 'corroborate', or 'validate' correctly fulfill this supportive relationship.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Support and Cause-Effect Clues in Text Completion