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Difficulty: Very hardSupport and Cause-Effect Clues

Inasmuch as recent paleoclimatological reconstructions demonstrate that hyper-abrupt thermal spikes repeatedly destabilized Pleistocene megafaunal habitats, the proposition that climate volatility served as the principal engine of late-Quaternary extinctions is powerfully ________, given that each thermal pulse directly precipitated a corresponding collapse in regional species richness.

Which of the following words best completes the blank in the passage?

  1. vindicatedAnswer
  2. B
    gainsaid
  3. C
    attenuated
  4. D
    obfuscated
  5. E
    extolled

Answer

The correct completion is 'vindicated', as it captures the logical support provided by the causal evidence in the passage.
The sentence relies on the structural support signals 'Inasmuch as' and 'given that', which establish a direct cause-and-effect alignment between the empirical findings and the hypothesis. The findings confirm that climate volatility caused extinction events; therefore, the proposition stating that climate volatility was the primary driver is powerfully supported or 'vindicated'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze sentence syntax and structural transition clues.
Identified 'Inasmuch as' at the beginning and 'given that' in the final clause as strong support and cause-effect structural signals.
These structural signals indicate that the main clause must align logically with the surrounding evidence rather than contrast with it.
2
Evaluate the directional relationship between premises and the blank.
The premises state that thermal spikes caused habitat destabilization and species collapse, which matches the claim that climate volatility drove extinctions.
Because the evidence directly confirms the proposition, the word in the blank must mean supported, justified, or proven correct.
3
Select the option that precisely fits the required semantic intensity and context.
'Vindicated' means supported or proven justified by empirical evidence, which perfectly completes the logical cause-and-effect relationship.
Other options either reverse the logical direction (gainsaid, attenuated), introduce unwarranted concepts (obfuscated), or misinterpret academic justification as emotional praise (extolled).

Key Concept

Identifying Support and Cause-Effect Structural Signals
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Support and Cause-Effect Clues

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