Question 122·Medium·Words in Context
Because the experiment yielded results that contradicted her earlier findings, Dr. Wu was ______, readily acknowledging the need to revise her hypothesis.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For words-in-context questions, always anchor your choice in the strongest context clues, often found right before or after the blank. First, restate in your own words what the sentence is saying—especially the subject’s attitude or reaction. Then, decide the general tone (positive/negative, open/closed-minded, caring/uncaring), and eliminate options whose tone clearly clashes. Finally, compare the remaining words to the precise meaning implied by the key phrase (here, “readily acknowledging the need to revise her hypothesis”) and choose the one that best captures that idea, not just one that seems vaguely similar.
Hints
Focus on the cause-and-effect
Notice the word “Because” at the start: the experiment contradicted her earlier findings. Think about how a good scientist should react when new evidence conflicts with previous results.
Use the phrase after the blank
Pay close attention to “readily acknowledging the need to revise her hypothesis.” Does this show resistance, rejection, or openness to changing her mind?
Match the tone
Decide whether Dr. Wu seems upset and defensive, dismissive of the results, unconcerned, or thoughtfully willing to adjust. Eliminate any option whose emotional tone clashes with the idea of revising her hypothesis based on new data.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation in the sentence
Focus on the key idea: “Because the experiment yielded results that contradicted her earlier findings, Dr. Wu was ______, readily acknowledging the need to revise her hypothesis.” The experiment’s new results disagree with her earlier work, and she readily acknowledges that her hypothesis needs revision.
Use the clue after the comma
The phrase “readily acknowledging the need to revise her hypothesis” tells you how she reacts: she is willing to admit she was wrong and to change her idea. This is a positive, open reaction, not stubborn or uninterested.
Check each option against that meaning and tone
We need a word that describes someone who is willing to accept and act on new information.
- A word that suggests resistance or rejection will not fit, because she is not fighting the new results.
- A word that suggests not caring will not fit, because she clearly cares enough to revise her hypothesis. Now compare each option to this idea.
Select the word that best matches the context
“Amenable” means open and responsive to suggestions or willing to be persuaded or change. This exactly matches a scientist who, when faced with contradictory data, readily acknowledges the need to change her hypothesis. The other choices suggest defensiveness, rejection, or lack of concern, so “amenable” is the most logical and precise completion.