Question 137·Medium·Words in Context
Paleontologists analyzing a set of newly discovered fossil footprints concluded that the early mammal moved with unexpected agility. This evidence contradicts the long-held assumption that such animals were sluggish, and it may prompt scientists to _____ established models of mammalian evolution.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For SAT Words-in-Context questions, always read the entire sentence (and nearby sentences if given) and ignore the answer choices at first. Use the clues around the blank—especially contrast words like "but," "however," or "contradicts"—to predict the kind of idea or action that must fill the blank (for example, "the scientists will change their models" or "the author is criticizing this idea"). Then test each answer choice by inserting it into the sentence and asking: Does this match my prediction and keep the logic and tone consistent? Quickly eliminate words that contradict the context or introduce ideas (like simplicity, praise, or ignoring something) that the passage never suggests, and choose the option that fits both meaning and tone most precisely.
Hints
Use the key signal word
Focus on the word "contradicts". The new evidence goes against the long‑held assumption. Think about what that means for the established models that were based on that assumption.
Predict the general action before looking at choices
Before you look closely at the answer options, ask: After seeing evidence that conflicts with old ideas, will scientists keep fully supporting their models, ignore them, or do something different with them?
Plug in each option
Read the full sentence with each choice in the blank and listen to how it sounds: does it make sense that contradicting evidence would lead scientists to endorse, neglect, oversimplify, or do something else to their models?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the situation
Read the sentence without the blank and summarize it in your own words:
- Paleontologists found fossil footprints.
- These footprints show early mammals moved with unexpected agility.
- This contradicts the old belief that such animals were sluggish.
- Because of this, scientists may do something to established models of mammalian evolution.
So, new evidence goes against old assumptions and will cause scientists to react to their existing models.
Infer what should happen to the models
Ask yourself: When new evidence contradicts a long‑held assumption, what do scientists normally do with their models?
- They would not keep treating the models as perfectly correct.
- They would not simply ignore the models either.
- Instead, they would use the new evidence to change how the models are constructed or understood.
So the missing word should describe an action scientists take toward the established models in light of conflicting evidence.
Evaluate each answer choice in context
Now plug each option into the sentence and see if it matches the logic:
- A) endorse: "...prompt scientists to endorse established models" means the new, contradicting evidence would lead scientists to support the existing models. That goes against common sense: if evidence contradicts a model, you would not be more likely to support it.
- B) neglect: "...prompt scientists to neglect established models" means the evidence would lead scientists to ignore their models. But scientists usually do not just toss out models when they get new data; they try to improve them.
- C) oversimplify: "...prompt scientists to oversimplify established models" means the evidence would cause them to make the models too simple. Nothing in the sentence suggests making models simpler; the key idea is that the models are challenged by new evidence.
None of these three choices fits well with what scientists realistically do when their assumptions are contradicted.
Choose the word that fits best
The remaining option is D) revise. To revise something means to reconsider and change it based on new information. If fossil footprints show that early mammals were agile, contradicting the idea that they were sluggish, scientists would be prompted to revise established models of mammalian evolution so those models match the new evidence.
So the correct answer is D) revise.