Meaning: 'Splitting' refers to the act of dividing or separating, in this case, the divergence from the chimp lineage.

Wrong options:

• spat: 'Spat' is the past tense of 'spit' and does not convey the intended meaning of separation; it is also grammatically incorrect in this context.
• splat: 'Splat' is an informal term often used to describe a sound or action of something hitting a surface, which does not fit the context of evolutionary divergence.
• spitting: 'Spitting' is the present participle form of 'spit' and does not fit the past context required here.

Correct answer: belonged

Explanation: The word 'belonged' is the past tense of 'belong,' which fits grammatically and contextually, indicating possession or association with the creature in question. It aligns with the narrative of the footprints being attributed to a specific creature.

Meaning: 'Belonged' means to be the property of or to be associated with someone or something, indicating that the footprints are linked to a creature that lived millions of years ago.

Wrong options:

• formed: 'Formed' implies creation or shaping, which does not accurately convey the relationship of the footprints to the creature.
• barraged: 'Barraged' means to attack continuously, which is irrelevant in this context and does not fit grammatically.
• transfigured: 'Transfigured' means to transform in appearance or form, which does not apply to the ownership of the footprints.

Correct answer: made

Explanation: The word 'made' is the past tense of 'make,' which fits grammatically and contextually, indicating the action of creating the footprints. It aligns with the subject of the sentence, which discusses the creature responsible for the footprints.

Meaning: 'Made' means to create or produce something, in this case, the footprints left by the creature.

Wrong options:

• laid: 'Laid' is the past tense of 'lay,' which implies placing something down, not creating it, making it contextually incorrect.
• curated: 'Curated' means to select and organize, which does not apply to the act of creating footprints.
• sponsored: 'Sponsored' implies support or funding, which is irrelevant in the context of the footprints.

Correct answer: previously

Explanation: The word 'previously' is an adverb that fits grammatically and contextually, indicating that the unknown non-hominin had existed before the current understanding. It aligns with the narrative of the evolutionary timeline.

Meaning: 'Previously' means at an earlier time, suggesting that the creature was not known before this discovery.

Wrong options:

• famously: 'Famously' implies being well-known, which does not fit the context of an unknown creature.
• wittingly: 'Wittingly' means knowingly, which does not apply to the context of an unknown species.
• hopelessly: 'Hopelessly' implies a lack of hope, which is irrelevant in this context.

Correct answer: evidence

Explanation: The word 'evidence' fits grammatically and contextually as a noun that refers to information or data supporting a claim. It aligns with the sentence structure discussing findings related to human evolution.

Meaning: 'Evidence' refers to the facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid, in this case, supporting the claim about the ape being a hominin.

Wrong options:

• step: 'Step' is a noun that refers to a movement or stage, which does not fit the context of presenting findings.
• circle: 'Circle' is a noun that refers to a round shape, which is irrelevant in this context.
• proposal: 'Proposal' is a noun that suggests a plan or suggestion, which does not accurately convey the factual nature of the findings.