Question 18·Hard·Words in Context
Even after decades of study, the observed migration patterns of certain deep-sea squid remain ______; researchers draw on limited sonar data to propose hypotheses that often contradict one another.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
For Words-in-Context questions, first read the whole sentence and restate the blank in your own simple words using the surrounding clues (for example: "hard to understand," "very clear," "carefully planned"). Then, before looking at the choices, decide whether the tone is positive, negative, uncertain, etc. Next, define each answer choice in your head and eliminate any whose meanings or connotations don’t match your prediction or don’t make logical sense in the sentence. Finally, plug the remaining option into the sentence to check that it fits smoothly in both meaning and tone.
Hints
Focus on the overall situation
Look at the whole sentence: scientists have studied these squid for decades, but they only have limited sonar data, and their hypotheses contradict each other. Ask yourself whether this suggests clarity or confusion about the migration patterns.
Think about what the blank describes
The blank describes the "observed migration patterns". Based on the researchers’ disagreement and limited data, decide whether these patterns are easy to understand or hard to understand.
Use meaning, not just familiarity
Go through each answer choice and briefly define it in your own words, then ask: does this meaning fit a situation where scientists are uncertain and their explanations conflict? Eliminate any word that suggests clear understanding, certainty, or showiness.
Step-by-step Explanation
Use the context clues
Read the whole sentence and focus on the clues:
"Even after decades of study" suggests scientists have worked on this for a long time. "Limited sonar data" shows they do not have much information. "Hypotheses that often contradict one another" means researchers disagree about what is going on.
Together, these clues show that the migration patterns are not clearly understood and are hard to pin down.
Predict the kind of word that should fill the blank
Based on the context, describe the blank in your own words.
The sentence is saying that even after a lot of study, the patterns are still not clear, and scientists propose conflicting ideas because they have limited data.
So we want a word that means something like unclear, hard to define, or difficult to understand or grasp.
Test each answer choice against your prediction and the sentence
Now compare each option to what the sentence is saying:
- (A) coherent means logical and consistent. If the patterns were coherent, scientists would probably agree about them, not propose contradicting hypotheses. This clashes with the sentence.
- (B) predictable means easy to forecast or know in advance. If the patterns were predictable, scientists would not be so uncertain.
- (C) ostentatious means showy or flashy, done to attract attention. Squid migration patterns being "showy" does not match the scientific, data-focused context at all.
All three of these choices conflict with the idea of uncertainty and disagreement in the sentence.
Confirm the remaining choice fits the meaning and tone
The remaining choice is (D) elusive.
"Elusive" means difficult to find, catch, or understand; hard to pin down or define.
This matches the sentence perfectly: even after decades of study and with limited data that leads to contradictory hypotheses, the squid's migration patterns remain elusive.
So, the correct answer is D) elusive.