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Difficulty: Very hardElaboration and Restatement Clues

The evolutionary biologist��s latest monograph on genomic drift is thoroughly ________—that is, rather than postulating novel mechanisms of natural selection, it focuses entirely on exhaustively clarifying, expanding upon, and synthesizing previously published empirical findings.

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

  1. explicatoryAnswer
  2. B
    revolutionary
  3. C
    polemical
  4. D
    specious
  5. E
    conjectural

Answer

The word 'explicatory' correctly completes the sentence because it aligns with the elaboration clue indicating that the text clarifies, expands upon, and synthesizes existing findings.
The correct option is 'explicatory'. The em-dash paired with the phrase 'that is' acts as an explicit restatement signal. The clause following the em-dash elaborates on the blank by describing a work that focuses on 'clarifying, expanding upon, and synthesizing previously published empirical findings.' 'Explicatory' means serving to explain or elucidate, which matches this elaboration exactly.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the structural transition clue in the sentence.
The em-dash followed by 'that is' signals an elaboration/restatement clue, meaning the clause following the dash defines or explains the meaning of the target blank.
In GRE Text Completion, punctuation like em-dashes paired with appositive signals ('that is') indicates that the second part of the sentence defines the missing word.
2
Analyze the context clues after the em-dash to determine the required meaning and tone.
The text states 'rather than postulating novel mechanisms... it focuses entirely on exhaustively clarifying, expanding upon, and synthesizing previously published empirical findings.'
The target word must describe something explanatory, clarifying, or elaborative, while avoiding connotations of novelty, speculation, or conflict.
3
Evaluate the options against the target meaning.
'Explicatory' directly means serving to explain or elucidate, making it the precise fit for a work that clarifies and expands upon existing findings.
Matching the definition of the choice directly to the restatement clue confirms the correct vocabulary choice.

Key Concept

Elaboration and Restatement Structural Clues
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Topics

Elaboration and Restatement Clues

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