Question

Difficulty: MediumPhrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

The lead researcher explained that subsequent experimental data would __________ the initial hypothesis proposed by the team. Which phrasal verb best completes the sentence to convey the meaning of confirming or corroborating a statement?

  1. bear outAnswer
  2. B
    bear up
  3. C
    bear down
  4. D
    bear off

Answer

The correct phrasal verb is 'bear out', which means to corroborate, support, or confirm a hypothesis or evidence.
The phrasal verb 'bear out' means to substantiate, corroborate, or provide evidence in support of a theory or statement. In this sentence, experimental data is serving as confirmation for the team's initial hypothesis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
The context requires a phrasal verb that indicates experimental data confirming or validating an initial hypothesis.
The verb must accurately capture the relationship between new evidence and an existing idea.
2
Evaluate the meaning of each phrasal verb with the root 'bear'
'Bear out' explicitly means to corroborate or support with evidence.
'Bear up' refers to emotional endurance, 'bear down' refers to exerting pressure, and 'bear off' refers to steering away.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs with 'Bear'
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