Meaning: 'Consensus' means a general agreement or shared understanding among a group, in this case, referring to the collective view on Neanderthal diets.

Wrong options:

• resemblance: Resemblance refers to similarity, which does not fit the context of agreement about diets.
• eyewitness: Eyewitness implies direct observation, which is not applicable in the context of dietary studies.
• thickness: Thickness refers to a physical dimension and does not relate to the concept of agreement or understanding.

Correct answer: correspond

Explanation: The word 'correspond' is used correctly here as it indicates a relationship or connection between the isotopes and the types of proteins. It fits grammatically and contextually, as the sentence discusses how isotopes relate to dietary components.

Meaning: 'Correspond' means to be in agreement or to have a direct relationship with something, in this case, the isotopes and proteins.

Wrong options:

• surged: Surged implies a sudden increase, which does not fit the context of relating isotopes to proteins.
• plunge: Plunge suggests a sudden drop or fall, which is irrelevant in this context.
• overturned: Overturned means to reverse or invalidate, which does not apply to the relationship being described.

Correct answer: vegetarian

Explanation: The term 'vegetarian' is appropriate here as it describes a type of meal that consists of plant-based foods. It fits grammatically as an adjective modifying 'meal' and contextually aligns with the discussion of Neanderthal diets.

Meaning: 'Vegetarian' refers to a diet that excludes meat, indicating that the last meal could have been plant-based.

Wrong options:

• requiem: Requiem refers to a mass for the dead, which does not fit the context of discussing meals.
• communitarian: Communitarian relates to community-oriented practices, which is irrelevant in the context of diet.
• ferrymen: Ferrymen are individuals who transport people or goods across water, which does not relate to the dietary context.

Correct answer: foolproof

Explanation: The word 'foolproof' is used correctly as an adjective describing evidence that is reliable and cannot fail. It fits grammatically and contextually, emphasizing the reliability of the evidence gathered from fecal remains.

Meaning: 'Foolproof' means something that is incapable of going wrong or being misused, indicating the reliability of the evidence in the study.

Wrong options:

• schoolrooms: Schoolrooms refer to classrooms, which do not relate to the context of evidence in research.
• newsrooms: Newsrooms are places where news is produced, which is irrelevant to the scientific context of the study.
• tubules: Tubules are small tubes, which do not fit the context of describing evidence.

Correct answer: consumption

Explanation: The term 'consumption' is appropriate as it is a noun that refers to the act of eating or using up resources. It fits grammatically and contextually, as the sentence discusses the evidence of Neanderthals eating meat.

Meaning: 'Consumption' means the act of consuming or using something, particularly food in this context.

Wrong options:

• exaction: Exaction refers to the act of demanding or obtaining something, which does not fit the context of dietary habits.
• upperclassman: Upperclassman refers to a student in their later years of study, which is irrelevant to the dietary context.
• disjunction: Disjunction refers to a separation or disconnection, which does not apply to the act of eating.

Correct answer: ancestral-diet

Explanation: The phrase 'ancestral-diet' is fitting as it describes the diet of ancestors, which is relevant to the context of studying Neanderthal diets. It fits grammatically as a compound noun and contextually as it refers to the dietary habits of ancient humans.

Meaning: 'Ancestral-diet' refers to the dietary practices of one's ancestors, indicating what Neanderthals might have eaten.

Wrong options:

• diet: Diet is a general term for food consumption but lacks the specificity of ancestral context in this sentence.
• cycled: Cycled refers to a process of repeating or rotating, which does not fit the context of discussing dietary habits.
• confided: Confided means to share secrets or private matters, which is irrelevant in the context of dietary studies.