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Difficulty: MediumWords in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

For decades, historians and archaeologists debated the origins of the complex agricultural terraces in the Andes, with many early researchers asserting that these systems were imported by foreign cultures. However, recent sediment analyses and carbon-dating of the soil have _______ this hypothesis, demonstrating that indigenous communities developed these sophisticated farming techniques independently over centuries.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

  1. refutedAnswer
  2. B
    validated
  3. C
    overlooked
  4. D
    simplified

Answer

refuted
The correct answer is 'refuted'. The passage sets up a contrast between the historical assumption that Andean terraces were imported and the new evidence showing they were developed locally. The word 'However' signals that the new evidence disproves the early hypothesis, making the word meaning disproved the most logical and precise choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context and transition words in the passage.
The passage begins with an old assertion (that Andean terraces were imported by foreign cultures) and introduces new findings using the contrast word 'However'. The new findings demonstrate that indigenous communities developed the techniques independently, which contradicts the old assertion.
Identifying the relationship between the old assertion and the new findings is necessary to determine if the blank requires a word meaning support or disproof.
2
Select the word that matches the identified contrast relationship.
Since the new findings contradict and disprove the old assertion, a word meaning 'disproved' is required. The word 'refuted' fits this definition precisely.
Matching the contextual need with the correct definition ensures a precise vocabulary choice.

Key Concept

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary
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Topics

Words in Context: High-Utility Vocabulary

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