Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumSupport and Cause-Effect Clues

Read the passage below and determine the word that best completes the sentence based on the cause-and-effect relationships indicated by the text clues.

Answer:Because the preliminary findings of the geological survey were strongly reinforced by subsequent seismic data, the research panel's hypothesis regarding the fault line's activity gained widespread 【credibility】 within the scientific community.

Answer

The blank should be filled with a word denoting scholarly belief, validation, or agreement (such as 'credibility', 'acceptance', or 'validation').
The sentence establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship introduced by the causal signal 'Because'. The primary clue—that the preliminary findings were 'strongly reinforced by subsequent seismic data'—indicates positive alignment. Consequently, the effect on the research panel's hypothesis must be positive, making words such as 'credibility', 'acceptance', or 'validation' logically necessary.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structural transition signal driving the sentence logic.
The opening word 'Because' sets up a cause-and-effect relationship between the supporting data and the academic community's reception of the hypothesis.
Causal conjunctions signal that the second clause must logically follow from the premise in the first clause.
2
Evaluate the directional polarity of the contextual clue.
The phrase 'strongly reinforced by subsequent seismic data' indicates positive, confirmatory evidence strengthening the initial findings.
Understanding whether evidence supports or undermines a claim dictates the tone and meaning required for the blank.
3
Synthesize the logical continuation to fill the blank.
Since positive evidence reinforces the hypothesis, the effect must be that the hypothesis gains trust or acceptance (e.g., 'credibility').
The blank requires a noun reflecting the positive outcome of receiving strong corroborating evidence.

Key Concept

Support and Cause-Effect Structural Clues
Rate this question

Topics

Support and Cause-Effect Clues

More questions from this topic