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

Question

Although the hypothesis was initially ____, it gained wide acceptance once independent laboratories reproduced the results.

Accepted Answer

A. disputed. 'Although … it gained wide acceptance' sets up a contrast: the hypothesis started out doubted. 'Disputed' captures that. 'Celebrated' and 'obvious' would clash with the contrast word 'although'.

Answer

B. celebrated — 'Although' signals a contrast with gaining wide acceptance, so the blank needs a negative starting point; 'celebrated' means it was already praised, which erases the contrast.

Answer

C. obvious — If the hypothesis were 'obvious' from the start, there'd be nothing to contrast with its later acceptance — 'although' requires initial resistance.

Answer

D. ignored — 'Ignored' is negative, but the sentence contrasts doubt with acceptance, not silence with attention; reproducing results answers a dispute, not a lack of notice.

Craft and Structure practice question

Answer: A. disputed

Why the other answers are wrong

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