The discovery the popular belief that the first colonists to North America arrived at the end of the last ice age about 11,500 years ago by a Bering land bridge that connected Siberia to Alaska and northwestern Canada. The earlier date and the location of the woman’s remains on the island adds weight to an alternative theory that some early settlers have constructed boats and migrated from Asia by sailing down the Pacific coast.
Result:
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Correct answer: latest
Explanation: The word 'latest' fits grammatically as it describes the most recent radiocarbon dating techniques, aligning with the context of the sentence which discusses the reanalysis of remains. It indicates that these techniques are the most up-to-date in the field, making it contextually appropriate.
Meaning: 'Latest' means the most recent or newest, referring to the most current methods available for radiocarbon dating.
Wrong options:
- oldest: 'Oldest' implies the earliest or most ancient, which contradicts the context of using the most recent techniques for dating.
- suspicious: 'Suspicious' suggests doubt or mistrust, which does not relate to the context of scientific dating methods.
- disputed: 'Disputed' indicates a lack of agreement or contention, which does not accurately describe the nature of the techniques being referred to.
Correct answer: challenges
Explanation: The word 'challenges' is appropriate as it indicates that the discovery questions or contests the existing belief about the timeline of colonization in North America. It fits grammatically and contextually, as the sentence discusses a new finding that contradicts a popular belief.
Meaning: 'Challenges' means to question or dispute something, particularly an established idea or belief.
Wrong options:
- channels: 'Channels' refers to pathways or means of communication, which does not fit the context of questioning a belief.
- weighs: 'Weighs' implies measuring or considering, which does not convey the act of disputing a belief.
- supports: 'Supports' suggests agreement or reinforcement, which is the opposite of what the sentence intends to convey.
Correct answer: crossing
Explanation: The word 'crossing' is a gerund that fits grammatically as it describes the action of traversing the Bering land bridge. It aligns with the context of migration, indicating the act of moving across the bridge.
Meaning: 'Crossing' refers to the act of going from one side to another, particularly in the context of migration over a land bridge.
Wrong options:
- cross: 'Cross' is a base form verb that does not fit grammatically in this context where a gerund is needed to describe the action.
- across: 'Across' is a preposition that does not function as a verb in this context, making it grammatically incorrect here.
- crossed: 'Crossed' is the past tense form, which does not fit the present continuous context of the sentence.
Correct answer: may
Explanation: The word 'may' is a modal verb that indicates possibility, fitting grammatically and contextually as it suggests that early settlers could have constructed boats. It aligns with the speculative nature of the theory being presented.
Meaning: 'May' expresses a possibility or likelihood, indicating that there is a chance that early settlers engaged in boat construction and migration.
Wrong options:
- asked: 'Asked' implies a request for information, which does not fit the context of discussing potential actions of early settlers.
- magically: 'Magically' suggests something happening by magic, which is not a plausible explanation in a historical context.
- surprisingly: 'Surprisingly' indicates an unexpected nature, which does not accurately convey the speculative possibility of the settlers' actions.
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