Complete the passage below by providing the appropriate word for each blank that best preserves the logical support and cause-effect relationships established by the text.
Answer:Because the recent isotopic analysis of the ancient ice core demonstrated a continuous, uninterrupted sequence of atmospheric composition, paleoclimatologists were able to 【delineate】 the timeline of past volcanic eruptions; consequently, this precise chronological baseline 【substantiated】 the hypothesis that atmospheric aerosols caused the sudden cooling event of that era.
Answer
For the first blank, the correct response is 'delineate' (or accepted synonyms 'articulate', 'demarcate'). For the second blank, the correct response is 'substantiated' (or accepted synonyms 'corroborated', 'fortified').
The causal conjunction 'Because' establishes that the continuous isotopic data provided high temporal clarity, which naturally enabled researchers to accurately outline ('delineate') the timeline of volcanic activity. Subsequently, the cause-and-effect transition 'consequently' indicates that this precise chronological baseline served to confirm and validate ('substantiated') the hypothesis regarding aerosol-induced cooling.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Support and Cause-Effect Structural Signals in Text Completion