Meaning: 'Sinking' means to go down below the surface of a liquid, which is the opposite of skipping on water.

Wrong options:

• plunking: Plunking refers to a heavy, dull sound made when something falls into water, which does not fit the context of the stone's action in this scenario.
• debunking: Debunking means to expose the falseness of a belief or idea, which is unrelated to the physical action of a stone in water.
• hiking: Hiking refers to walking or trekking, which is not relevant to the context of a stone's behavior on water.

Correct answer: surface

Explanation: The word 'surface' is the correct choice as it refers to the top layer of the water where the stone interacts. It fits grammatically as a noun that completes the phrase 'hits the __,' and contextually, it describes the physical interaction between the stone and the water.

Meaning: 'Surface' means the outermost layer or boundary of an object, in this case, the top of the water.

Wrong options:

• efface: Efface means to erase or remove something, which does not relate to the physical interaction of the stone with the water.
• preface: Preface refers to an introduction to a book or speech, which is not relevant to the context of the stone's action.
• boldface: Boldface refers to a type of font style, which is unrelated to the physical action of a stone on water.

Correct answer: bears

Explanation: The word 'bears' is the correct answer as it is a verb that indicates the model supports or confirms the conventional wisdom. It fits grammatically in the present tense and contextually aligns with the idea of the model providing evidence for a claim.

Meaning: 'Bears' means to support or carry, indicating that Bocquet's model supports the idea about skipping stones.

Wrong options:

• hears: Hears is a verb that means to perceive sound, which does not fit the context of providing evidence or support.
• tears: Tears is a verb that means to rip or pull apart, which is not relevant to the context of supporting a theory.
• fears: Fears is a verb that means to be afraid of something, which does not relate to the context of confirming a scientific principle.

Correct answer: stabilize

Explanation: The word 'stabilize' is the correct choice as it describes the action of making something stable. It fits grammatically as a verb that completes the phrase 'fast rotations __ a bicycle,' and contextually, it relates to how rotation helps maintain balance.

Meaning: 'Stabilize' means to make something steady or secure, which is relevant to how rotation affects balance in bicycles and spinning tops.

Wrong options:

• commercialize: Commercialize means to manage or exploit something for profit, which does not fit the context of stability in motion.
• nationalize: Nationalize means to transfer ownership to the government, which is unrelated to the concept of stability in physical motion.
• fertilize: Fertilize refers to adding nutrients to soil, which is not relevant to the context of maintaining balance.