Meaning: 'Expression' refers to a way of conveying an idea or feeling, often through a phrase or saying, in this case, describing unhealthy food as a heart attack on a plate.

Wrong options:

• intestine: Intestine is a noun referring to a part of the digestive system, which does not fit the context of describing a metaphorical phrase.
• formalism: Formalism refers to a strict adherence to prescribed forms, which does not relate to the context of a metaphorical expression about food.
• attention: Attention is a noun that refers to the act of focusing on something, which does not fit the context of describing a phrase.

Correct answer: hardening

Explanation: The word 'hardening' is a gerund that describes the process of becoming hard, which is contextually appropriate as it refers to the condition of arteries. It fits grammatically as it follows the verb 'shows' and describes the state of the arteries.

Meaning: 'Hardening' refers to the process of becoming firm or solid, in this context, it describes the stiffening of arteries due to atherosclerosis.

Wrong options:

• bloodcurdling: Bloodcurdling is an adjective that describes something horrifying, which does not fit the medical context of describing a physical condition.
• fathering: Fathering is a verb that refers to the act of becoming a father, which is irrelevant in this medical context.
• unraveling: Unraveling is a verb that means to come apart or be solved, which does not relate to the condition of arteries.

Correct answer: scientists

Explanation: The word 'scientists' is a plural noun that refers to individuals who conduct scientific research, fitting grammatically as the subject of the sentence. It is contextually appropriate as it describes the group conducting the study on mummies.

Meaning: 'Scientists' are people who study or practice science, particularly in research and experimentation, in this case, regarding ancient Egyptian mummies.

Wrong options:

• ripeness: Ripeness is a noun that refers to the state of being fully developed or matured, which does not fit the context of a group conducting research.
• hyperlinks: Hyperlinks are references in digital content that link to other content, which is irrelevant in this context of scientific research.
• likenesses: Likenesses is a noun that refers to similarities or representations, which does not fit the context of a group of researchers.

Correct answer: subjected

Explanation: The word 'subjected' is the past participle of the verb 'subject,' which means to expose to a particular process or treatment. It fits grammatically as it describes what was done to the mummies and is contextually appropriate in the scientific study.

Meaning: 'Subjected' means to have been exposed to a particular treatment or condition, in this case, the mummies were subjected to CT scans for examination.

Wrong options:

• resubmitted: Resubmitted is a verb that means to submit again, which does not fit the context of conducting scans on mummies.
• undetected: Undetected is an adjective that means not discovered or noticed, which does not fit the context of actively examining the mummies.
• retrofitted: Retrofitted is a verb that means to add new technology or features to something, which is irrelevant in the context of scanning mummies.

Correct answer: encountered

Explanation: The word 'encountered' is the past tense of the verb 'encounter,' which means to come across or meet. It fits grammatically as it describes what the mummies did not experience, making it contextually relevant in the sentence.

Meaning: 'Encountered' means to have met or come across something, in this case, the mummies never came across a corn dog, implying they lived in a different time and dietary context.

Wrong options:

• dowered: Dowered is a verb that means to provide with a dowry, which does not fit the context of food or dietary experiences.
• doweled: Doweled is a verb that refers to inserting a dowel, which is irrelevant in the context of dietary experiences.
• scouted: Scouted is a verb that means to search or explore, which does not fit the context of the mummies' dietary experiences.