Although the committee did not uncover every detail of the incident, its report was judged ______: its major claims were supported by dated records and by testimony from several independent witnesses.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For a Words-in-Context question, use any clause after a colon as a direct explanation of the blank. Restate that explanation in simple terms, then distinguish among choices that describe different positive qualities, selecting the one whose precise meaning is actually demonstrated by the text.
Hints
Notice the concession
The opening clause presents a limitation, but the rest of the sentence gives the report a positive assessment. Look for a word that can still apply despite missing details.
Follow the colon
The information after the colon explains the missing word. Consider what support from dated records and independent witnesses establishes about a report.
Distinguish related qualities
Ask whether the evidence primarily establishes logical organization, complete certainty, freedom from bias, or trustworthiness.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the contrast
The opening clause acknowledges a limitation: the committee did not discover every detail. The word Although indicates that the report nevertheless had a positive quality.
Use the explanation after the colon
The clause after the colon explains that the report’s major claims were supported by both records and independent witnesses. Evidence from multiple sources makes those claims believable and worthy of trust.
Compare the choices
Coherent concerns logical organization, conclusive suggests that an issue has been settled completely, and objective concerns freedom from bias. None of those qualities is established as directly as the report’s trustworthiness is.
Select the precise word
Credible means believable or trustworthy. Because multiple independent sources supported the report’s major claims, this word most logically and precisely completes the text.