Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumElaboration and Restatement Clues

Read the passage below:

"The evolutionary biologist's new thesis on island avian speciation is fundamentally __________; indeed, it attempts to explain the extraordinary diversity of plumage patterns entirely through the narrow lens of a single genetic locus, disregarding broader ecological and behavioral factors."

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

  1. reductionistAnswer
  2. B
    comprehensive
  3. C
    speculative
  4. D
    equivocal
  5. E
    provisional

Answer

reductionist
The correct answer is 'reductionist'. The sentence uses a semicolon followed by the emphasis marker 'indeed' to elaborate on the nature of the thesis. The second clause specifies that the author reduces a complex phenomenon (extraordinary diversity of plumage) to a single, narrow explanation (a single genetic locus) while ignoring other contributing factors. The term 'reductionist' precisely describes this practice of oversimplifying complex phenomena.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify structural clues and transition signals in the sentence stem.
The semicolon followed by the intensive adverb 'indeed' signals that the second clause elaborates on and clarifies the descriptor needed in the blank.
Elaboration structures restate or define the target concept using more explicit details.
2
Analyze the descriptive content of the clarifying clause.
The clause states that the thesis 'attempts to explain the extraordinary diversity... entirely through the narrow lens of a single genetic locus, disregarding broader ecological and behavioral factors.'
This details an approach that oversimplifies a complex system into a single basic cause.
3
Evaluate the answer options to select the word matching the identified context.
'reductionist' means analyzing complex phenomena in terms of fundamental or simple constituents, matching the description exactly.
The word 'reductionist' correctly captures the idea of explaining multifaceted phenomena through a single narrow mechanism.

Key Concept

Elaboration and Restatement Clues
Rate this question

Topics

Elaboration and Restatement Clues

More questions from this topic